The Modern Echoes of Hysteria: Why Women’s Healthcare Needs a Revolution
Women’s healthcare has come a long way—or has it?
For centuries, the term hysteria —derived from the Greek word hystera (meaning uterus)—symbolized the medical community’s misunderstanding and dismissal of women’s experiences. From the ancient belief in a "wandering womb" to the catch-all diagnosis that labeled any woman with anxiety, dissatisfaction, or unexplained symptoms as irrational, "hysteria" was used as a tool to silence, shame, and control. It reduced us to caricatures of fragility, our bodies and minds framed as inherently unstable and in need of control.
While the diagnosis of hysteria has been relegated to history books, its legacy persists in modern healthcare. Women’s symptoms are still dismissed as “stress” or “just a part of getting older.” Concerns are met with blank stares, rushed explanations, or vague reassurances that “your labs are normal.” And when women attempt to advocate for themselves, they’re often labeled as “difficult” or “emotional.” And for women of color, this disparity is even greater.
This isn’t just frustrating—it’s harmful. It fosters a profound sense of disconnection, leaving women questioning their own experiences, doubting their instincts, and feeling unheard, unseen, and unsupported.
Truth be told, women’s healthcare has long been shaped by a patriarchal and paternalistic framework—a system that often silences, dismisses, and invalidates women’s experiences. We are taught to power through and to just accept discomfort as our new normal. But what happens when you stop, listen to your body, and demand more?
That’s when real change happens.
Why Women’s Healthcare Needs a Revolution
This broken model isn’t just a healthcare issue—it’s a societal one. It requires rewriting the deep-seated narratives that have taught women to be quiet, compliant, and unquestioning about their care.
A revolution in women’s healthcare is not just overdue—it’s essential.
This revolution is about reclaiming agency. It’s about creating a new paradigm of care that:
Listens to women’s voices.
Validates their experiences.
Empowers them with in-depth education, collaboration, and shared decision-making that feels aligned to their highest good.
This is a care model that views women’s bodies not as problems to be solved, but as dynamic, interconnected systems to be understood and nurtured.
This is the future of women’s health, and it starts today.
How We Rewrite the Narrative
At its heart, this revolution is about listening— not just to women’s voices, but to the wisdom their bodies hold. It’s about moving away from a system that dismisses symptoms and embracing one that collaborates with women as active participants in their care.
Here’s how we rewrite the story:
Education as Empowerment: Women deserve transparent, evidence-based information about their health. Understanding what is happening in your body—and why—is the foundation for making empowered decisions.
Reconnecting with Your Body: Women are taught to mistrust their instincts, but your body is constantly speaking to you. Learning to tune into its cues and sensations is the first step toward self-advocacy and healing.
Personalized Care: No two women are the same and everyone’s journey is unique. Tailored solutions that honor individuality are not just a luxury—they’re a necessity..
Imagining What’s Possible
Envision a healthcare experience where your voice leads the way. A place where your provider doesn’t rush to conclusions but pauses to truly listen, hearing not just your symptoms, but the story they’re telling. Here, your concerns aren’t dismissed as problems to “fix.” Instead, they’re honored as messages, each one a clue guiding you toward deeper connection and care.
Imagine leaving an appointment not with vague reassurances, but with a plan that feels like it was designed just for you. Imagine feeling seen, respected, and empowered to make choices that align with your values and desires.
This is the future of women’s health, and it’s one we can build together.
Take the First Step
The revolution begins with you—by reconnecting to your body, trusting your inner voice, and advocating for the care you deserve. Start with these three self-reflection questions to tune into your body and deepen your understanding of its needs:
What is my body trying to tell me?
Reflect on any physical sensations or discomforts you’re experiencing. What patterns emerge? What might your body be asking you to pay attention to?How do I feel emotionally and mentally each day?
Take stock of your mood, energy levels, and mental clarity. Are there recurring emotions or thoughts that might also be expressing themselves in your body as tension, pain, stiffness, etc.? What connections are there that you could explore further?What do I truly want for my health and my life?
Envision the woman you want to be—how you feel in your body, how you show up in the world, and how you navigate your relationships, career, and passions. What steps can help you move toward that vision?
Finding a Provider Who Honors Your Voice
Choosing the right healthcare provider is one of the most powerful steps you can take. Here’s how to ensure they align with the care you deserve:
Ask About Their Approach to Care
Do they take time to ask about your story, listen to your concerns, and explain what is happening in your body and why it is occurring, and what you can do to address it holistically and comprehensively?Evaluate Their Focus on Collaboration
Do they treat you as a partner in your care, working with you to create a personalized plan that feels aligned with your values and lifestyle?Look for Reviews or Recommendations
Seek feedback from other women who’ve worked with them. Do they speak to feeling seen, heard, and respected?Trust Your Intuition
Pay attention to how you feel during your interactions. Do you feel validated and empowered—or rushed and dismissed?
The revolution in women’s healthcare begins with each of us.
The first step is reclaiming your agency and advocating for the education, empathy, and empowerment you deserve.
A New Standard of Care
At the heart of this revolution is a simple but profound truth: you are the expert on your body. You deserve a healthcare experience that respects and amplifies your voice, helps you make informed decisions, and supports you in living fully and unapologetically.
This isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about reclaiming your story, reconnecting with your body, and rewriting the narrative of what perimenopause looks like. It’s about embracing the fullness of who you are and creating a life that feels aligned, vibrant, and deeply your own.
The revolution in women’s health doesn’t just begin with you, it is you. You are the revolution. Your choice to listen to your own body and to advocate for what you need is the change that redefines what women’s health can and should be.
So, to every woman who has advocated for herself, who has questioned the status quo, who has refused to be silenced: you are the heartbeat of this revolution. Together, we are building a future where women’s voices are heard and their stories are told—unabridged and unadulterated.
