At the beginning of this book, Dr. Tang talks about how Hippocrates was thinking that every problem in female body was because of wandering uterus. Now that's what I call hysterical. Is this the same Hippocrates that new doctors repeat the oath of? Because we would be fine if he left it at "first do no harm".

Joke aside, I think this is a very important book. For most of the people who don't get a sex education or it is not up to standards, this could be a good reference book. Dr. Tang explains the reproductive systems and problem associated with it in layman terms to avoid any confusion. It sheds the prejudice around most of the conditions.

There should be a program where this book should be sent to women in need in poor and/or hidden corners of the country, so every woman would get information without feeling ashamed (they shouldn't have to begin with).

I am adding this to my list of physical books to buy ASAP! This book had so much helpful information-- seriously! It doesn't read like a textbook, but the information is so good. I really want this on my shelf to refer to when I have questions or need help talking to my doctor. Books like this one are so necessary, and so helpful as I navigate infertility and difficult menstrual cycles. I especially think the descriptions of certain procedures that are common in an OB's office are so helpful.

Overall, I think this is SUCH a great resource!

I cannot express fully how essential books like <i>It’s Not Hysteria</i> are in this day and age. I do hope that we will one day achieve a society where we don’t need books with this sort of title. Our medical world and system should really develop toward one that is more inclusive, knowledgeable, and kind. I, too, have known far too many women who have been failed by the medical system for one reason or another. For that reason, I can’t help feeling that Dr. Karen Tang’s book is so incredibly important. Of course, the information here is something women should learn even when we live in a world that takes women’s health more seriously.

I learned a lot while reading this, whether it was developing a more in-depth understanding of a condition I was already mildly or moderately aware of or learning about something entirely new. I will definitely be recommending this read to every woman I know and every man who has an interest and care for the health of a woman in his life who might have one of these conditions. It never hurts to be more aware about what many of us may deal with.

I will, of course, always hope for a day where we do not live in a world where women’s health problems are written off. The fact that this book’s title even has relevancy in referencing hysteria is important, but sad.

I loved the narrator for this audiobook as well; she did an excellent job.

It's Not Hysteria by Karen Tang is a comprehensive book covering pretty much all topics of women's reproductive health. Each chapter covers a different topic and gives a wealth of information that is easily digestible. The writing isn't dull, it doesn't read like a textbook, and the author has a nice voice for the audible. I listened to the entire book, but I would imagine most people would pick and choose chapters as they're applicable or of interest. If you're looking to understand what is going on in your female body, this is the book to choose.

I loved the audio even more than the eBook - Dr. Tang's compassion and verve come through in the narration incredibly well. It is like the dream of having your doctor take the time to explain everything to you.

This book is going to change lives across the country. If you have suffered and tried to get help only to be dismissed as stressed or told it was all in your head or treated like a life of pain is just something to deal with, this book is for you. Dr. Karen Tang has created a lively, evidenced-based discussion of reproductive health along with practical advice on how to advocate for yourself that is one of the most empowering books I’ve ever read.

Here is the alchemy of Dr. Tang’s writing for me: First, it gives historical and systemic context so we can understand that it isn’t just one of us alone who is being blown off as hysterical, but that we are operating in a society whose foundation is built on devaluing and dismissing women’s medical needs. Fantastic that the symptoms of endometriosis aren’t blamed on witchcraft anymore—thanks guys!—but the continued lack of research, funding, and treatment options mean we’re still likely to be sent on a years-long wild goose through the healthcare system for treatment. Second, the book gives evidenced-based, but easy to understand explanations for how our reproductive organs and their neighbors work as well as the different ways things can go wrong. What is so special is that is done in a lively and informative, but not terrifying way. Finally, there are self-assessments, plans for talking to your obgyn, and a series of questions under “Weighing Your Options” to help put everything together as you decide how to advocate for your treatment.

This is fantastically done, incredibly informative and readable. I think this is something that all girls and women can and maybe even should read, because we are criminally under-taught about our own bodies.

Karen Tang blew my mind with this, which truthfully is embarrassing because I'm an owner of a vag!na myself and thought I knew what was going on in my own body.

When MDs write to an audience outside of their own field I often find myself lost - in searching through context for definitions, pausing to Google procedures, nervously WebMDing the likelihood I'll be their next patient. Tang doesn't leave you hanging; the effort put into ensuring layman's terms must have been enormous.

I am genuinely thankful to have read this book. I feel WAY more in the know on my body, how and why it works the way it does, how science has clarified and muddied up our understandings of living things, where our impossible standards for body image likely began, and the list goes on.

I know I've found a killer nonfiction book when I hit everyone I know with fun facts from it. This had so many fun facts I couldn't even share them all.

(Thank you bunches to NetGalley & publisher McMillan Audio for this ARC Audiobook in exchange for an honest review!)

It's Not Hysteria is the all encompassing tell all about female health. Dr. Karen Tang really has made it easy to understand the ins and outs of reproductive health. This the self help book all people with an uterus and ovaries should read. If you would like the language to go into your next doctor's appointment, this is it. We must start demanding better research and comprehensive information about our health!

This is a nice one stop shop for all things lady parts and I enjoyed listening to it. Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio

"How is it possible that there is so little funding, research, and attention given to these problems? how are gyno health issues so abysmally under researched, underfunded, and undertreated?" "All too often, medical problems that affect women are simply expected to be tolerated."

THIS BOOK. This book should be given to every person with a uterus and/or designated female at birth as a right of passage. It should be given to every father, male relative, and every employer of those same people. It's Not Hysteria is an extremely valuable resource written (and narrated in this case) by Dr Karen Tang, MD, MPH, a board-certified gynecologist/gynecologic surgeon and breaks down the exceedingly common things that are natural and normal in DFAB folks' lives, how best to seek or manage treatment, and the philosophy that people really, really need to hear: certain things are statistically normal, although care is undertreated, and you are not alone.

Some gems: That there is no medical reason to have a period if you are not trying for children, the underdiagnosis (read: racism) for things like fibroids for Black women, the purpose of estrogen and why taking a birth control pill WITH estrogen is actually a balance against that a body already produces from the ovaries, and really importantly to me, throughout, the inclusion of gender inclusive language and how someone who is a transman would interact with just being informed due to having been born with a uterus, and the existence and health management of intersex people.

Everything from potential diagnoses to medication and treatment options are so well-laid out and easy to understand and I definitely want to buy a physical copy of this book just to have as an easy to refer to guide at home. Dr Tang is compassionate and knowledgeable and you really get the sense that she wants every human to just be INFORMED on not only the potential things that can go on with our bodies but what we can do to manage and mitigate things regarding it, and the choices we do have even if we have to fight harder than those who are designated male at birth.

I do personally wish that there was a little more focus on things that affect women/DFAB folks that aren't tied to reproduction (as I personally am never birthing children) like lipedema, the presentation of heart attacks, autoimmune disorders that disproportionately affect women, even how taking estrogen/progesterone affect transfemme people, but there was already a ton of information in this book, AND the majority of people with uteruses use or want to use them to birth babies so! I understand and acknowledge the focus here.\

Absolutely essential reference reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for review!

This is the type of book I definitely needed when I was 17. This is a valuable resource that goes into a good depth on everything from STIs, pregnancy, infertility, abortion, sexual activity, pleasure, reproductive health issues, gender, and more. And I say good depth because it's informative, but not so much that it feels like reading a textbook or gets too in the weeds. For many who are starting out on learning and identifying potential issues with their reproductive health, it could serve as a great starting point from which they can seek deeper information from professional sources. I also appreciated the author's commitment to gender inclusive language and recognizing that women are not the only people who have uteruses.

After reading It's Not Hysteria, I believe this book should be required reading for females age 13-18. I had heavy, painful, irregular periods throughout my teens and used prescription painkillers for my cramps and missed school every single month, ultimately accepting birth control pills as my only option for relief at 19. 10 years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to try and conceive and had challenges with that. I believe birth control masked issues that I was having rather than getting to the source of the problem. I was so uneducated I just accepted my doctor's word that birth control was the only choice that I had.

I'm not knocking birth control as bad, but I just wish that I had been armed with more information that I could have brought to my doctor to find a solution for the issues I was having. In It's Not Hysteria, Dr. Karen Tang is on a mission to transform how women engage with their bodies and their healthcare. This book was very informative about common conditions that women face with their bodies and potential treatment options, as well as sample questions one could bring to their provider.

I would give It's Not Hysteria a 4.5 star rating. The thing that would have knocked this book out of the park for me would have been if there was a chapter about efforts women have taken to get female reproductive health to be further recognized. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Dr. Karen Tang for this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 ⭐️
This book is important. It thoughtfully makes medicine accessible to people with vaginas. The author continually uses intention and inclusive language. Each chapter focused on a different aspect of women’s health—from cysts to menstrual cycles to menopause.
I read this book via audiobook. I think that perhaps it would be a better format as a paper book. I found myself zoning out on chapters that seemed like they do not (or maybe do not presently) impact me—like the menopause chapter for example.
The content was helpful and approachable. One of the aspects I thought was so key was when the author would go through things someone should think about before addressing an issue with their doctor—preparing folks for their appointments and what they might experience or be asked!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy audiobook!

I learned so much from this book. There was so much interesting and useful history but also it had so much practical information. The audio narration was very easy to follow. I highly recommend this book.

A must read/listen for anyone looking to learn a little more about gynecological health from anatomy to surgical procedures, medical gaslighting, and beyond. It's not overly detailed which makes for an easier read as opposed to a textbook you'd read in school with too much fluff and the main points can be lost with trying to absorb so much information. Dr. Tang has a way of being extremely informative in a way that is easily understandable to the reader. I definitely learned some new things while reading this book and I wish a book like this was around when I was growing up. I'm glad topics such as the ones in this book are being talked about more in order to bring more awareness to women's/reproductive issues in an effort to make these things less "taboo" in society. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well as the wonderful narration by Dr. Tang that kept my attention. She reads at just the right speed for me and has a great voice for audio that makes it feel as though a friend is talking to you directly.

In It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told), Karen Tang expertly yet simply explains various topics related to sexual and reproductive health, ranging from sex ed to information about endometriosis and ovarian cysts. Tang is comprehensive and informative, however, the book is set up in way that it is easy to skip around and find the parts that most apply to the reader, if they are not interested in reading the book in its entirety. My only issues is that I didn't think the book had a great flow. Overall, I would recommend this to women of all ages (and men if they are interested in this topic). I work for the Department of Health in my state and I will definitely be recommending the sexual and reproductive health team read this book at our next subcommittee meeting!

Thank you to Net Galley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC of It’s Not Hysteria.

Wow, just wow. This book had so much good and useful information. American education is woefully lacking when it comes to reproductive health. Books and doctors like Dr. Karen Tang is needed to combat false information and ignorance.

I love how the author explains how she will use speech when explaining conditions. and trying to be inclusive and respectful to everyone. The book begins with her welcoming everyone to having this knowledge.

She also says you can skip through part you aren't interested in. If there is a topic you need more info on she recommends finding specialists.

It’s great to start seeing medical books that are written with kindness and a desire to educate on the real issues. There is zero judgement.

I found this to be very well rounded collection of information regarding reproductive health. Thank you to NetGalley, Dr Karen Tang, and Flat Iron Books. I have written this review voluntarily.

It’s Not Hysteria is an informative book about reproductive health written by Karen Tang, MD, MPH, a board-certified gynecologist and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon who is an internationally recognized leader in reproductive health. The goal of the book is to offer guidance to anyone with female reproductive parts on how to notice and explain their problems to a doctor, providing the language to talk about the symptoms and what the condition may be.

Structure of the Book
The first part of the book looks into the history of the medical profession related to female conditions, challenging the diagnosis of ‘hysteria’. It also explains the various parts of the reproductive system as well as organs closely related to, whether in proximity or effect, to this system. This section ends with a list of questions to reflect on before seeing a doctor. I appreciated this list and also the reminder that appointments are generally short and coming to them with a clear idea of the issues whose resolution one is seeking in an effective way to get immediate help. Tang also encourages people to keep a journal of their symptoms and foods consumed.

The second part of the book looks into various conditions with symptoms, detailed options for diagnosis, risks for developing the condition and family history. Racial disparities are mentioned for each though most stats are available for white and black women. There is a summary “Take Home Points” at the end of each chapter. Outdated theories are pointed out and debunked while those that need more research are also highlighted.

I have never read so much about my body and the variety of conditions, symptoms and solutions that exist. Fibroids, Endometriosis, PCOS, cis, prolapse, urinary leakage, sexual dysfunction, PMS, PMDD, menopause and perimenopause, infertility, miscarriage, cancer… All of these are explored in detail in this book. Tang is not afraid of increasing awareness and I found the chapter on sexual expression and gender identity thought-provoking. It’s Not Hysteria succeeds in fostering inclusivity and addressing diverse reproductive health experiences. I loved the questionnaires provided at the end of many chapters to assess oneself and figure out if we need to seek medical help as well as how to approach talking to a specialist. Additionally, there are discussions on vitamin D deficiency, nutrition, exercise, and stress relief.

The final part of the book looks at the solutions to the issues explored in previous chapters. I did not know how birth control is often used for a number of treatments. There was also information about fertility tracking as contraception. Tang emphasizes getting to know the pros and cons before committing to a method, providing common language between patients and doctor as well as key medical definitions.

Notes on Content
It’s Not Hysteria is a phenomenal book. I have never read anything as up-to-date or holistic about the female reproductive system and the organs that surround it. I am the kind of person who hates being taken by surprise and wants to know things in advance about what I might be getting into. Tang shares details about medical procedures, including what to expect at a gynecologist appointment. If you find medical details uncomfortable, be aware that details will be provided. Topics like sterilization absorption and infertility are also addressed considering the landscape in the United States political views may also be challenged.

Under all this is the intent to provide essential information for informed decision-making. I have never felt so empowered.

My Reading Experience and Final Thoughts
I started looking into the female body more as I became curious about fertility and conception. As you can guess from the review so far, there's a lot of information in this book. I want to highlight the emotional states I went through. I experienced overwhelm at how much can happen, to relief about symptoms I don't have, and empowerment to approach my wellness from a place of knowing.

When I got my birth control prescription many years ago, its risks and alternatives were not explained to me. Thankfully, it didn't cause me any problems but reading how health practitioners should have approached it has changed my perspective.

I read this book in audio and Tang does a phenomenal job of presenting information in a compassionate and relatable manner. By giving me this knowledge, she has convinced me to be an advocate for myself and my healthcare needs. Doctors may know more but they do not know my personal experience and sometimes I'm going to have to ask for the service I deserve, which may mean getting a second opinion. Tang offers valuable advice on how to speak to professionals and questions to ask them for the numerous conditions covered in this book.

I'm so glad that I read It’s Not Hysteria. I will forever be consulting it and singing its praise to all my family and friends. Like many non-fiction books I have found related to female health, updated editions are published as new breakthroughs happen in research. I can’t wait to see how this book expands in the coming years.

Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy of this book. The review will be posted to Armed with A Book on May 7th.

This was a very informative book that I highly recommend for everyone with a uterus! Goodness, probably even those without a uterus could benefit from reading it. The history of female health at the beginning of the book was both infuriating and eye-opening. I liked how the information was structured and especially liked the “take home points” summarizing the end of each chapter.

Thank you Dr. Karen Tang, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this audiobook! The sound quality was excellent, and the author did a nice job narrating. Having the author narrate their own book always adds a little something special to the listening experience.

This was a lot of information but it was really good. I appreciate the authors time and expertise. Women’s health is severely under-funded, under researched, and not prioritized but many. Books like this are an invaluable resource for women trying to navigate issues that the western system hasn’t even begun to catch up on. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.