Our bodies, ourselves: informing and inspiring women across generations

Hailed by The New York Times as a “feminist classic,” and “America’s bestselling book on women’s health,” the comprehensive guide to all aspects of women’s health and sexuality, including menopause, birth control, childbirth, sexual health, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health and general well-being. Six years after the 2005 overhaul of this classic guide to women’s health, the 2011 edition focuses on what Our Bodies, Ourselves does best: provide information on women’s reproductive health and sexuality; practical information on how find and access health information; and resources, stories, and information to educate women about health care injustices and inspire them to work collectively to address them. This new edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves includes the latest vital information on: •Changes in the health care system—especially how health care reform affects women and how to get the care you need. • Safer sex—how to engage in pleasurable, satisfying sexual experiences while protecting your health and the health of your partner. • Environmental health risks—including minimizing exposure to everyday pollutants that endanger reproductive health. • Body image—resisting negative media stereotypes and embracing healthier approaches to looking and feeling good. • Local and global activism—using social media and organizing tactics to build community and advocate for policies that improve women’s lives. • As well as crucial information about gender identity, sexual orientation, birth control, abortion, pregnancy and birth, perimenopause, and sexuality and sexual health as we age. Together with its companion website, OurBodiesOurselves.org, Our Bodies, Ourselves is a one-stop resource for women of all generations. THE BESTSELLING WOMEN'S HEALTH CLASSIC—INFORMING AND INSPIRING WOMEN ACROSS GENERATIONS Hailed by The New York Times as a "feminist classic," this comprehensive guide to all aspects of women's sexuality and reproductive health—including menopause, birth control, childbirth, sexual health, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health, and overall wellbeing—changed the women's health movement around the world and remains as important and relevant as ever. Providing detailed and empowering information on women's reproductive health and sexuality, this latest edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves shows how to find and access health information and offers additional resources and stories to educate women about health care injustices and inspires them to work collectively to address them. Including the latest vital information on: -Changes in the health care system—especially how health care reform affects women and how to get the care you need. -Safer sex—how to engage in pleasurable, satisfying sexual experiences while protecting your health and the health of your partner. -Environmental health risks—including minimizing exposure to everyday pollutants that endanger reproductive health. -Body image—resisting negative media stereotypes and embracing healthier approaches to looking and feeling good. -Local and global activism—using social media and organizing tactics to build community and advocate for policies that improve women's lives. -As well as crucial information about gender identity, sexual orientation, birth control, abortion, pregnancy and birth, perimenopause, and sexuality and sexual health as we age. Together with its companion website, OurBodiesOurselves.org, Our Bodies, Ourselves is a one-stop resource that belongs on the bookshelves of women of all ages. Hailed by The New York Times as a "feminist classic," and "America's bestselling book on women's health," the comprehensive guide to all aspects of women's health and sexuality, including menopause, birth control, childbirth, sexual health, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health and general well-being. Six years after the 2005 overhaul of this classic guide to women's health, the 2011 edition focuses on what Our Bodies, Ourselves does best: provide information on women's reproductive health and sexuality; practical information on how find and access health information; and resources, stories, and information to educate women about health care injustices and inspire them to work collectively to address them. This new edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves includes the latest vital information on: Changes in the health care system: especially how health care reform affects women and how to get the care you need. Safer sex: how to engage in pleasurable, satisfying sexual experiences while protecting your health and the health of your partner. Environmental health risks: including minimizing exposure to everyday pollutants that endanger reproductive health. Body image: resisting negative media stereotypes and embracing healthier approaches to looking and feeling good. Local and global activism--using social media and organizing tactics to build community and advocate for policies that improve women's lives. As well as crucial information about gender identity, sexual orientation, birth control, abortion, pregnancy and birth, perimenopause, and sexuality and sexual health as we age. Together with its companion website, OurBodiesOurselves.org, Our Bodies, Ourselves is a one-stop resource for women of all generations "The gold standard for women's health books, in time for the fortieth anniversary of the book's first publication, featuring new material and a completely updated approach to critical women's health issues. The name "Our Bodies, Ourselves" has become synonymous with women's health and protecting it. This updated edition contains vital new information on such issues as the HPV vaccine, changes in the healthcare system, cosmetic surgery, violence against women, healthcare activism in the twenty-first century, and much more. Since its original publication forty years ago, Our Bodies, Ourselves has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide, and resources based on the book are available in twenty five languages, in print, digital, and social interactive formats, and Braille. Called "America's bestselling book on all aspects of women's health" and "a feminist classic" by The New York Times, 300,000 copies of Our Bodies, Ourselves have been donated to women's groups around the world, creating an estimated readership of more than 20 million worldwide. This new edition will tie in closely to the group's website, one of the leading online women's health resources and a recipient of citations for its excellent quality from International Planned Parenthood Federation and Scientific American"-- "The 40th Anniversary Edition of America's bestselling women's health book!"-- "The gold standard for women's health books, in time for the fortieth anniversary of the book's first publication, featuring new material and a completely updated approach to critical women's health issues. The name "Our Bodies, Ourselves" has become synonymous with women's health and protecting it. This updated edition contains vital new information on such issues as the HPV vaccine, changes in the healthcare system, cosmetic surgery, violence against women, healthcare activism in the twenty-first century, and much more. Since its original publication forty years ago, Our Bodies, Ourselves has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide, and resources based on the book are available in twenty five languages, in print, digital, and social interactive formats, and Braille. Called "America's bestselling book on all aspects of women's health" and "a feminist classic" by The New York Times, 300,000 copies of Our Bodies, Ourselves have been donated to women's groups around the world, creating an estimated readership of more than 20 million worldwide. This new edition will tie in closely to the group's website, one of the leading online women's health resources and a recipient of citations for its excellent quality from International Planned Parenthood Federation and Scientific American"-- Provided by publisher The gold standard for women's health books, in time for the fortieth anniversary of the book's first publication, featuring new material and a completely updated approach to critical women's health issues. The name has become synonymous with women's health and protecting it. This updated edition contains vital new information on such issues as the HPV vaccine, changes in the healthcare system, cosmetic surgery, violence against women, healthcare activism in the twenty-first century, and much more. Since its original publication forty years ago, it has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide, and resources based on the book are available in twenty five languages, in print, digital, and social interactive formats, and Braille. Called "America's bestselling book on all aspects of women's health" and "a feminist classic" by The New York Times, 300,000 copies of it have been donated to women's groups around the world, creating an estimated readership of more than 20 million worldwide. This new edition will tie in closely to the group's website, one of the leading online women's health resources and a recipient of citations for its excellent quality from International Planned Parenthood Federation and Scientific American. -- Provided by publisher Acknowledgments Contents Introduction Bodies and Identities Our Female Bodies: Sexual Anatomy, Reproduction, and the Menstrual Cycle Intro to Sexual Health Body Image Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Relationships and Sexuality Relationships Social Influences on Sexuality Social Pleasure and Enthusiastic Consent Sexual Challenges Sexual Health and Reproductive Choices Birth Control Safer Sex Sexually Transmitted Infections Unexpected Pregnancy Abortion Childbearing Considering Parenting Pregnancy and Preparing for Birth Labor and Birth The Early Months of Parenting Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Other Losses Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies Postreproductive Years Perimenopause and Menopause Our Later Years Medical Problems and Navigating the Health Care System Selected Medical Problems Navigating the Health Care System Major Forces Affecting Women's Sexuality and Reproductive Health Violence Against Women Environmental and Occupational Health The Politics of Women’s Health Activism in the Twenty-first Century Recommended Resources Notes Authorship About the Contributors Index O ur Bodies, Ourselves is the resource that women of all ages turn to for information about their bodies, sexuality, and reproductive health. Completely revised and updated, these pages provide women with the information and tools they need to make key health decisions—accurate, evidence-based information, input from leading experts, and personal stories from women who share their experiences. This new edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves includes the latest vital information on: CHANGES IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM— especially how health care reform affects women and how to get the care you need. SAFER SEX— how to engage in pleasurable, satisfying sexual experiences while protecting your health and the health of your partner. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS— including minimizing exposure to everyday pollutants that endanger reproductive health. BODY... Learning about out sexual anatomy and observing and exploring our bodies are good ways to become more comfortable with ourselves and our sexuality. With more than four million copies sold, Our Bodies, Ourselves is the classic guide for women of all ages to every aspect of their health. Discusses the many roles of women and the choices open to them. Includes detailed treatment of feminine hygiene. "The 40th Anniversary Edition of America's bestselling women's health book!"-- Provided by publisher