Rebel Bodies

'Crucial reading for us all' Stylist 'An essential, comprehensive, accessible explanation of medical misogyny' Cherry Healey An inclusive and empowering manifesto for change in women's healthcare - exploring the systemic and deep rooted sexism within medicine, and offering actionable ways for women to advocate for ourselves and others and get the diagnosis and treatment we need. Have you ever been to a doctor and felt like you were being fobbed off or ignored? Did they belittle or overlook your concerns about your health? Ever been told you're just 'hormonal'? You're not alone. Women make up 51 per cent of the population and are the biggest users of healthcare services - for themselves and as mothers and carers. But all the research shows there are massive gender differences in men's and women's healthcare. Our pain and suffering has been disbelieved; we are misdiagnosed, given tranquilisers when we need painkillers, antidepressants when we need HRT, and not trusted to make informed choices about our own bodies. As women speak out about their experiences of gaslighting and misdiagnosis, health journalist Sarah Graham investigates what it will take to bridge the gender health gap. Meet the patients, doctors and campaigners who are standing up and fighting back, and find practical tips on advocating for your own health. Be inspired by stories that will incite and offer hope. You're not alone, you're not going mad, and we believe you.

Sarah Graham is an award-winning freelance health journalist and founder of the Hysterical Women blog, specialising in health, gender and feminism. She has written extensively on these subjects for the i newspaper, Refinery29, the Telegraph, Grazia, the Guardian, the New Statesman and many others. She was a finalist in the 2021 Medical Journalists' Association Awards. @sarahgraham7writer

1. 'The personal is political': Introduction 2. 'Some girls just have bad periods': Menstrual and hormonal health 3. 'Attention-seeking hypochondriacs': The gender pain gap 4. 'Chronically female': Why disability is a feminist issue 5. 'All in your head': Mental health and hysteria 6. 'Can you get a penis in and a baby out?': The pleasure gap in sexual health 7. 'The war on cancer': Gendering the C word 8. 'Baby blues': Perinatal care and the price of motherhood 9. 'Death means we believe you now': Neurotic mothers in healthcare 10. 'Menopausal crones': When sexism and ageism collide 11. 'Can I speak to a real doctor?': Dismantling a sexist medical model References Acknowledgements Index