I will be honest. I had tried this book on NetGalley and couldn't get into it. I then checked it out on Libby and it was a good read. You have to be in the right mood to read this.

I learned so much! What a great, informative book.

Will be in a roundup on my newsletter, Crooked Reads, in the future.

This was such an informative read! Schools haven't done a great job in teaching anatomy and the way our bodies work, so I actually learned a ton from this. The author/ narrator is great, but I did find that I retained more when I listened along with a physical copy.

This should be required reading for anybody and everybody - especially women and those who are attempting to make decisions about women’s health. This book is straightforward and one of the best explanations of the female body and feminine health. Dr. Tang gives great, easy to understand explanations but also gives practical questions and conversation guides for those struggling to know how to talk to their doctor about questions and concerns.

This is a well researched book and the narration was easy to listen to. This is one that I will be recommending to all of my friends that have a uterus. I really appreciated the way that this book didn't include gender so it didn't trigger dysphoria as I was listening to it.

Interesting and informative book.
Maybe should have read it on paper so I could have focused on the parts that where interesting me.
There wasn't as much information about about perimenopause/menopause as I had expected.

This is a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding women's health. The book excels in making complex medical topics accessible, thanks to Tang's thoughtful use of inclusive and intentional language. Each chapter covers a different aspect of women's health, from cysts and menstrual cycles to menopause. I listened to the audiobook version, but I think a print copy might been a better format for my comprehension. I found myself drifting through chapters, particularly those that weren't as relevant to me. Overall, the information is both useful and easy to grasp.

Dr. Tang did a great job explaining a variety of gynecological issues in layman terms that'll be easy for anyone without precious medical knowledge to understand.

She details female anatomy, gynecological and obstetric issues, and the social stigma associated with such topics. Despite this, you can tell that Dr. Tang was educated under a patriarchal system. She touts falsehoods about pain management in gynecological procedures... while advocating for pain management at the same time. If that makes sense... it was a little bizarre and confusing.

Each chapter had its own theme. We are first introduced to the basics of the anatomy and physiology, then she goes into detail about procedures and what to expect from them, and caps off the chapter by recapping the most important points of the chapter.

I was hoping she'd go a little more into the politics surrounding female reproductive health, but she stuck to facts rather than straying into opinions.

As I say with all science books, take what you read with a grain of salt. Books are not peer-reviewed and some authors will twist data and facts to suit their rhetoric. Dr. Tang seemed to have done a good job staying away from that, but always do your own research and consult peer-reviewed sources for a definitive answer to any questions you may have.

Highly highly recommended readig for all women.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in excahnge for an honest review.

This was a very informative book that helps to abate some of the unease that can come with discussing women’s reproductive health. It did read a little bit like a textbook, but I thought the author did a great job at explaining things and making the topics easy to understand. I also liked how she encourages you to advocate for your own health, gives examples of what symptoms to look for and how to discuss those symptoms with your health care provider. I’m sure that will help women who get anxiety when speaking with their doctors. Overall, I think this is a great read for everyone so they can learn about their bodies or gain an understanding of what the women in their lives may be experiencing.

This was a really interesting book. The narration was great, and the information was comprehensive and presented in an easy to understand way. I'll definitely be recommending it to friends!

Dr. Karen Tang’s "It's Not Hysteria" is an essential and empowering audiobook that sheds light on the often overlooked and misunderstood aspects of women’s reproductive health. Narrated with clarity and authority, the audiobook serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding and navigating conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, PMDD, and pelvic floor dysfunction. Dr. Tang’s approach is both informative and compassionate, making complex medical information accessible and relatable. Dr. Tang highlights the systemic issues in healthcare that contribute to the misdiagnosis and dismissal of these conditions, advocating for increased funding and research to support women's health. The strength of "It's Not Hysteria" lies in its practical advice and tools designed to empower listeners. Dr. Tang provides symptom prompts and sample questions for healthcare providers, equipping listeners with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their own health. These tools are invaluable for anyone who has felt unheard or misunderstood in a medical setting. Furthermore, Dr. Tang addresses the broader context of reproductive healthcare, including the current challenges faced by patients seeking abortion and gender-affirming care. Her comprehensive approach ensures that the audiobook is relevant and supportive for a wide audience, including those assigned female at birth. The narration of the audiobook by Dr. Tang is engaging and empathetic. The clear and concise delivery of information makes it easy to follow and understand, even for listeners who may not have a background in medical terminology. One of the audiobook's most commendable aspects is its emphasis on education and empowerment. Dr. Tang's dedication to transforming how we engage with our bodies and healthcare is evident throughout the audiobook. She encourages listeners to take control of their gynecologic health, providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to do so. In conclusion, "It's Not Hysteria" by Dr. Karen Tang is a must-listen for anyone seeking to better understand their reproductive health. It is a powerful resource that educates and empowers, breaking down the barriers of misinformation and stigma that have long plagued women's healthcare. This audiobook offers a much-needed voice of support and advocacy for women's reproductive health.

Love Dr. Tang and hearing her read the book was great, and everything she outlined, both historical and medical were excellent.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It is super informative, but in a casual, non-judgmental way. Dr. Tang uses everyday language (for those of us not in the medical field) to explain everything about bodies assigned female at birth. From the basics of "female" anatomy to more complex topics like abortion, and everything in between. She even takes a chapter to explain the different pronouns and the difference between sexual identity and sexual orientation. It is a must read for everyone. I highly recommend this book!

This is a well-researched, much needed resource on womens health from puberty to menopause. Many women don't know much about their reproductive health, and this is a good antidote. Readers can skip around and focus on issues that are relevant to them, or read from cover to cover. The author includes chapter summaries to reinforce learning (or help the lazier reader). This is written in such a way that the average person will have no trouble reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I will purchase for my library.

This was a super comprehensive book that should be required reading for anyone with a uterus. I walked away feeling much more informed about my reproductive health and think it could be a good resource for others.

5 ⭐’s this is the female reproductive bible everyone needs! I loved this so much I purchased the hardcopy before I even finished the audioARC book. (Advanced copy). I will absolutely be using this book for myself and my daughter. I wish I had had a resource like this sooner, but even where I am at in my reproductive life there is so much value here and helpful information. The audio and hardcopy versions are both great. I highly recommend picking up a copy!

I was lucky to receive the option to read this audioARC from NetGalley, Penguin Books, McMillan Audio, and Dr. Karen Tang in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!

Content: 5 ⭐’s
Narrator: 5 ⭐’s - the author is also the narrator and sounds knowledgeable and is interesting to listen to. Lovely voice.
Speed: 1x

One of my goals this year is to read more nonfiction. I was aiming for one a month, but this is my fourth this year so I’m a bit off track. It’s still more than my usual!

IT’S NOT HYSTERIA by Karen Tang, MD, MPH was informative and enlightening. As a nurse in an OBGYN office, I already had some background knowledge on many of the topics she mentioned, but I enjoyed learning more. I’m an OB triage nurse that occasionally helps with GYN phone calls so GYN is not my primary expertise— this book taught me more. Not only is it informative but the author makes it understandable and inclusive. Honestly an excellent read for any woman in reproductive years and beyond. Each chapter ends with the main takeaways and recaps the most important info to retain. I could definitely use a physical copy to refer back to. Women’s health has so many different topics to cover, and the author did a great job of including facts without providing too much info that would make it overwhelming.

Thanks @macmillan.audio for the listening copy read by the author!

When Karen Tang wrote, "Everything you need to know about your reproductive health" in the title, she was not lying. This book is a wealth of information about the reproductive system. I love that Tang uses inclusive language and has written this book not only for women, but for those who are intersex, nonbinary, and trans men - essentially anyone who has some or all female sex organs and needs reproductive healthcare. I appreciate that she also talks about the struggles that some populations might have in reproductive health. This is a fantastic reference book. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I learned so much from this book. It’s one of those books that there is so much information that I had to do it in smaller chunks and let myself digest between listening sessions because there was so much to it that I would start to tune out after about 30 minutes of listening with an over full brain then need a few days to let myself process before listening again.

This being said it was a fabulous book and i have already recommended it to so many of the women I know because the topics covered were things I never learned in school and so many women struggle with them.

This book will be a powerful tool for so many women and I am so glad that it exists.