Day Twelve: Hysteria
Listen now
Description
Professor Richard Legro, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania, tells his story of attempting to test the effectiveness of sildenafil (aka Viagra) to treat period pain. Ultimately unsuccessful - but not because it didn't work - but rather the people with the money didn't think it was important enough. India is also joined by Dr Elinor Cleghorn, author of Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Manmade World. She tells her story of being diagnosed with the chronic illness Lupus. The pair discuss the origins of hysteria, with a particular focus on the myth that black females have a greater insensitivity to pain. Credit: Presented by: India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Assistant Producer: Jorja McAndrew. Executive producer: Suzy Grant. Original music composed and performed by Rebekah Reid. Sound design by Olga Reed. Special thanks to all contributors and audio diarists. A Listen Production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
More Episodes
Published 03/21/22
Through this series we have demonstrated how inequalities in research and persistent myths about women's bodies have led to inequalities in healthcare. In this episode India talks to someone who has the power to influence change. Dame Professor Lesley Regan has dedicated the last decade of her...
Published 03/21/22
India examines how the cycle has been taught past and present. India travels back to the Victorian Age to probe at the use of the vaginal speculum and considers its link to menstrual shame and embarrassment, particularly in education. India then meets Chella Quint, founder of the Period Positive...
Published 03/21/22