Hysterical Women is a feminist blog founded by freelance health journalist Sarah Graham , to explore the sexism, paternalism, dismissal and disbelief surrounding women’s healthcare.
“Hysteria”, from the Greek word for uterus, hystera (ὑστέρα), was historically used to describe a range of emotional, mental, physical and sexual symptoms in women.
It’s no longer an accepted medical diagnosis, but the idea of ‘hysteria’ lives on. Often used interchangeably with ‘hormonal’, the word ‘hysterical’ is used to dismiss women as overly emotional or irrationally upset.
Ovary-acting, if you will.
But how much are our hormones really calling the shots, and how much is just plain old-fashioned sexism?
