The current (postfeminist) gender order comprises a highly complex coexistence of old and new norms and expectations, freedom and constraints, within a neoliberal social order underpinned by individualism and involving a shift in gender performance by men and women. Health, illness and disease at different points in the life course can be used as a vehicle to illuminate structural and cultural inequalities that persist despite several decades of progressive reform in western countries. This collection brings together a number of key researchers, both established and new to the field, and based across North America, Australia, the UK and Europe, and comprises both empirical and theoretical work. Drawing on a wide range of disciplinary fields, including medical sociology, medical anthropology, nursing, gender studies, sociology of risk and age studies, all authors use heath, well-being, illness and disease as a lens through which to explore the complexities and inequalities associated with late modernity. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of age studies, medical sociology and anthropology, gender studies, healthcare and nursing.

Although there are many reference guides to diseases, symptoms, and treatment for health problems of women, there is no comprehensive source for the social, political, economic and ethical issues that affect women's health decisions. "The Encyclopedia of Women's Health IssueS" provides valuable information on over 200 topics, including the issues and history surrounding diseases and medical procedures faced by women; health concerns of different ethnic groups of women; information on organizations and programs that deal with women's health; profiles on the people who have pioneered women's health services and information; and legal decisions related to women's health. An extensive bibliography and guides to good Web sites and organizations give users additional helpful resources. Among the features and benefits of this reference are

Charts and tables that present helpful facts and statistics

Contacts for Web sites and organizations that provide access to information about women's health issues--much of it free

Coverage of the issues, not just the diseases, critical to women's healthcare

Provides both basic information and guidance for further reading and research

'Daring, unsettling and original, The Weight of Loss is a debut to savour.' Victoria Gosling, author of Before the Ruins A spine-tingling debut about grief and obsession, with a shocking twist of an ending Marianne is still reeling from the death of her sister when she starts to exhibit some strange physical symptoms. Each day, it seems, her body betrays her a little bit more, and no one can explain to her what is going on. Then a doctor offers her the hope of recovery - a stay in Nede, an experimental health retreat deep in the Welsh countryside. Surrounded by high walls and cut off from the outside world, it sounds like exactly what Marianne needs. Desperate to get her life back on track, she leaves everything behind - her stressful job, her unsatisfactory relationship, her troubled family - hopeful that she finally has a chance to heal. Yet all is not as it seems at Nede. Yes, the surroundings are idyllic. Yes, the other residents seem happy. But something doesn't feel right. Marianne begins to lose control as she obsessively revisits the days and weeks leading up to her sister's death. But now she must confront a more immediate threat: a dark experiment that appears to be taking over her mind, her body and her precious memories.

Explores key challenges and dilemmas of service responses to men's domestic violence by interrogating the discursive constructions of gender and violence that underpin these. Reflects upon domestic violence systems, services and responses in ways that reverse the convention of applying theory to practice by, instead, focusing on the theorisation of practice. Promotes difficult conversations that challenge the influence of dominant gendered discourse on efforts to address domestic violence. Considers new approaches to conceptualising the problem of domestic violence in research, policy, and practice.

A collection of 154 sonnets reflecting on love, death, marriage and economic theory, each taking its inspiration from Shakespeare's 154. These poems have wit and a kick coming from a middle-aged woman in the middle of Scotland in the twenty-first century.

2009 Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2009 Association of American University Presses Award for Jacket Design The stories of 70 women living in the aftermath of breast cancer Chemo brain. Fatigue. Chronic pain. Insomnia. Depression. These are just a few of the ongoing, debilitating symptoms that plague some breast-cancer survivors long after their treatments have officially ended. While there are hundreds of books about breast cancer, ranging from practical medical advice to inspirational stories of survivors, what has been missing until now is testimony from the thousands of women who continue to struggle with persistent health problems. After the Cure is a compelling read filled with fascinating portraits of more than seventy women who are living with the aftermath of breast cancer. Emily K. Abel is one of these women. She and her colleague, Saskia K. Subramanian, whose mother died of cancer, interviewed more than seventy breast cancer survivors who have suffered from post-treatment symptoms. Having heard repeatedly that "the problems are all in your head," many don't know where to turn for help. The doctors who now refuse to validate their symptoms are often the very ones they depended on to provide life-saving treatments. Sometimes family members who provided essential support through months of chemotherapy and radiation don't believe them. Their work lives, already disrupted by both cancer and its treatment, are further undermined by the lingering symptoms. And every symptom serves as a constant reminder of the trauma of diagnosis, the ordeal of treatment, and the specter of recurrence. Most narratives about surviving breast cancer end with the conclusion of chemotherapy and radiation, painting stereotypical portraits of triumphantly healthy survivors, women who not only survive but emerge better and stronger than before. Here, at last, survivors step out of the shadows and speak compellingly about their "real" stories, giving voice to the complicated, often painful realities of life after the cure. This book received funding from the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Shows women what they can do to cope with symptoms and offers practical suggestions for minimizing the long term health risks that can occur as a result of menopause.

It is unique in that it is designed and intended to be used to facilitate discussion and to disseminate awareness within real life settings - for example, in a staff room for Inset Days, or for social workers in their team meetings. This workbook has been written for anyone to be able to facilitate a session with colleagues, which takes between 1-3 hours depending on the facilitator and group's needs. The introduction details how to use the book and how to facilitate a training session using the material, including being aware of how people could be triggered by looking at this difficult subject. Will be of interest to all professionals who have a mandatory responsibility to report FGM cases such as qualified teachers, social workers, and health care professionals (nurses, midwives and health visitors particularly).

This book, written for the layperson, provides evidence-based material explaining the complex and evolving evidence of the benefits and limitations of breast cancer screening and the advances in breast cancer treatment. A diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most emotionally charged statements a woman can hear from her doctor. Understanding the rapid changes in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is challenging, especially for those without a medical background. This book will help explain the strengths and weaknesses of breast cancer screening, breast cancer treatment, and ways of coping with the disease (for oneself or a loved one). Written for the layperson, this text explains the history of disease prevention with a specific emphasis on breast cancer detection and treatment. The main chapters weigh the pros and cons of well-known but often mystifying screening tests, such as mammograms; discuss the benefits and side effects of targeted hormone therapies; consider holistic regimens that complement traditional medicine; and explore the mental, physical, and emotional strain caused by breast cancer. Concluding with the current breast cancer screening guidelines recommended by leading organizations in disease prevention, Breast Cancer Facts, Myths, and Controversies not only engages with the history of breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, it looks ahead to a brighter future for survivors. Includes reader-friendly descriptions of screening tests and treatments, along with their benefits and risks Addresses the debate surrounding modern biomarker and genetic tests and whether or not testing is excessive Includes a list of support groups and organizations, as well as a summary of screening guidelines Includes a glossary of breast disease terms and terms used in testing and treatment Written by an expert epidemiologist known internationally whose career has focused on women's health

Written by a team of experts that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and chemists, this handbook focuses on the diseases that pose the greatest threat to African American women today. Topics include African American women and heart disease, sickle cell, breast cancer, diabetes, HIV and AIDS, as well as mental illness. Social issues that affect health are also examined, including poverty, homelessness, stress, racism, sexism, and treatment disparities. Two thirds of the chapters are all-new with fresh topics and information, and the remaining chapters have been completely updated. This book will be of interest to health professionals and professors, social workers, counselors and students in these fields, as well as African American women seeking more information on these health threats.

How women can improve their productivity, happiness, and physical well-being by keeping their natural cycles in mind and working with them (rather than ignoring them). In the Flo teaches women how to use their 28-day cycle to optimize their life by letting their internal clock and natural rhythms guide time management, diet, fitness, etc. (This is so simple and yet under-utilized it is shocking. It makes perfect sense when you think about it: You have different energy levels at different times of the month, different libido levels, etc. so why not use foresight to plan projects for when you are at your most effective, and understand when you need more emotional connection with others?) There are specific tips on what to eat and how to exercise depending on what phase you are in-and it works. Women are getting promotions, losing weight, and in one case thus far, literally clearing their endometriosis by using the cycle syncing method.

Discover the 5 secret pillars that, when combined, will result in rapid fat loss, but more importantly lasting fat loss. This will be the last fitness book you will ever need. Fit Moms For Life talks about what it takes to make this a lifestyle and not just another flash in the pan diet and exercise program that you do for a few weeks and stop. Get to know 31 amazing women who have taken the Fit Mom For Life Challenge and dropped anywhere from 30-100 lbs, and kept the weight off! Are you ready to... Look 20 years younger? Have a flat stomach again? Take your husband's breath away each time he sees you? Bring sexy back into being a mom? Melt the muffin top? Fit into your skinny jeans and still have room left over? Be a mom that your kids are proud of? In this book you will discover: One exercise that will make your stomach 2-4 inches smaller within two weeks Why cardio makes you fat and how you can burn 5X9 times more fat than doing boring cardio How to burn fat 24 hours a day How to eat like a linebacker and have a metabolism of a hummingbird How to change your thoughts to produce lasting fat results Dustin Maher, self-proclaimed "Mama's Boy" has given his life to serving moms and helping them look and feel their best. He believes that moms must start putting themselves first in order to be the rock star mom. He asks the question to mom, "Who is taking care of you?" To learn more about Dustin Maher visit his website at www.DustinMaher.com and join the Fit Moms For Life Community.

'An astonishing debut, rich in both heartbreak and humour' Jendella Benson, author of Hope & Glory Stunningly honest and bursting with wit, Someday Maybe is the story of grief and resilience that you won't be able to stop talking about Here are three things you should know about my husband: 1. He was the great love of my life despite his penchant for going incommunicado 2. He was, as far as I and everyone else could tell, perfectly happy. 3. On New Year's Eve, he killed himself And here is one thing you should know about me: 1. I found him. Bonus fact: No. I am not okay Eve is left heartbroken by her husband's unexpected death, but everyone around her - her friends, her boisterous British-Nigerian family, her toxic mother-in-law - seems to be pushing her to move on. Unable to face the future, Eve begins looking back, delving through the history of her marriage in an attempt to understand where it went wrong. So begins an unconventional love story about loss, resilience, and a heroine bursting with rage and unexpected joy.

More and more women are searching the Internet for medical information. Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer search for information and participate in online communities-groups that "gather" in established online spaces to interact about their diagnoses of breast cancer. They share their own struggles and emotions with their own language: the rhetoric of breast cancer. They ask questions, share experiences, create friendships, discuss their disease processes, and present their illness narratives. However, they also create ethical dilemmas for online researchers and privacy issues as they share information that is legally protected through HIPAA. Online communities will only increase as research of online information expands through big data and predictive analytics, and more than ever before, women need to be aware of the information they share. Researchers also need to be aware, as they share the data they gather, and seek to preserve the privacy of the creators of the online data that they investigate and report. The Rhetoric of Breast Cancer provides a discussion of the complex structures of online communities, particularly those focused on medical diagnoses, and is a valuable read for patients, theorists, physicians, and researchers.

Bringing together experts in the field, this important book considers the underlying risk factors that create situations of psychosocial vulnerability and marginalisation for mothers, from their baby's conception up to a year after birth. Adopting a strengths-based approach, the book looks not only at the incidence and impact of disadvantageous circumstances on women but also explores protective factors at an individual, family, community and service level. It identifies promising evidence-based interventions and sources of resilience. With a distinctive focus on social and cultural diversity, Psychosocial Resilience and Risk in the Perinatal Period considers a wide range of personal circumstances and social groups, including women's experiences of traumatic birth, domestic and family violence, drug and alcohol use and mothering by indigenous, same-sex and disabled women. Throughout, case studies and service user experiences are used to illuminate the issues and illustrate exemplary care practice. International in scope, this book is particularly strong on the implications for care practices and health service delivery within Western models of maternity care. Its applied focus and evidence base makes it eminently suitable for study purposes and professional reference. Of relevance to midwives, health visitors and other health and social care practitioners, Psychosocial Resilience and Risk in the Perinatal Period's final chapters focus on developing resilience amongst professionals and multiprofessional and interagency working.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women worldwide. Yet most people are still unaware that heart disease is not just a man's problem. Carolyn Thomas, a heart attack survivor herself, is on a mission to educate women about their heart health. Based on her popular Heart Sisters blog, which has attracted more than 10 million views from readers in 190 countries, A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease combines personal experience and medical knowledge to help women learn how to understand and manage a catastrophic diagnosis. In A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease, Thomas explains * how to recognize the early signs of a heart attack* why women often delay seeking treatment-and how to overcome that impulse* the link between pregnancy complications and future heart disease* why so many women with heart disease are misdiagnosed-and how to help yourself get an accurate diagnosis* the importance of cardiac rehabilitation in lowering mortality risk* what to expect during your recovery from a heart attack* how the surreal process of coping with heart disease may affect your daily life* methods for treating heart disease-related depression without drugs Equal parts memoir about a misdiagnosed heart attack, guide to the predictable stages of heart disease-from grief to resilience-and patient-friendly translation of important science-based findings on women's unique heart issues, this book is an essential read. Whether you're a freshly diagnosed patient, a woman who's been living with heart disease for years, or a practitioner who cares about women's health, A Woman's Guide to Living with Heart Disease will help you feel less alone and advocate for better health care.

Women's Health Matters, like its sister volume Women's Health Counts, is an invaluable practical guide to doing feminist research on women's health. Written by experienced researchers and practitioners, these lively accounts of research work range from getting the research idea, through obtaining the funding and doing the research, to the practical problems faced, and eventual publication. The book provides an ideal antidote to textbooks and manuals, giving the reader a taste of the problems and pleasures of doing real research.

Reproductive rights are human rights. Reproductive Justice and Women's Voices: Health Communication across the Lifespan offers an in-depth analysis of women's reproductive health in a transformative, sociopolitical moment that is redefining women's access to health care; reducing disparities in maternal and child health is a critical public health goal for the United States. Sundstrom contributes to patient-centered public health by analyzing women's reproductive health across the lifespan. Four critical body episodes: contraceptive use dynamics, pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period explicate women's understandings of control and embodiment in the context of technology. Women's meaning making of each body episode is interrogated in three areas: (1) the physiological experience of reproductive health, (2) perceptions of medicine and the biomedical model, and (3) opinions of mediated messages about reproduction, including new media. Through stories and silence, the women interviewed in this book demand accurate information, including the risks and benefits of health care, and access to reproductive services and technologies. The analysis disrupts the nature/technology dualism and reconceptualizes health outside of the normative processes of menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. By talking with women, this study privileges women's decision-making about reproductive health and offers insight for how women's partners, families, and health care providers can support them in this process.

What do HIV-positive women in Nigeria face as they seek meaningful lives with a deeply discrediting disease? Kathryn A. Rhine uncovers the skillful ways women defuse concerns about their wellbeing and the ability to maintain their households. Rhine shows how this ethic of concealment involves masking their diagnosis, unfaithful husbands, and unsupportive families while displaying their beauty, generosity, and vitality. As Rhine observes, collusion with counselors and support group leaders to deflect stigma, secure respectability, and find love features prominently in the lives of ordinary women who hope for a brighter future as the HIV epidemic continues to expand.

What do HIV-positive women in Nigeria face as they seek meaningful lives with a deeply discrediting disease? Kathryn A. Rhine uncovers the skillful ways women defuse concerns about their wellbeing and the ability to maintain their households. Rhine shows how this ethic of concealment involves masking their diagnosis, unfaithful husbands, and unsupportive families while displaying their beauty, generosity, and vitality. As Rhine observes, collusion with counselors and support group leaders to deflect stigma, secure respectability, and find love features prominently in the lives of ordinary women who hope for a brighter future as the HIV epidemic continues to expand.

Major Health Crisis Among Black Women Generated from Systemic Racism "Marita Golden's The Strong Black Woman busts the myth that Black women are fierce and resilient by letting the reader in under the mask that proclaims 'Black don't crack.'" Karen Arrington, coach, mentor, philanthropist, and author of NAACP Image Award-winning Your Next Level Life Sarton Women's Book Award #1 New Release in Reference Meet Black women who have learned through hard lessons the importance of self-care and how to break through the cultural and family resistance to seeking therapy and professional mental health care. The Strong Black Woman Syndrome. For generations, in response to systemic racism, Black women and African American culture created the persona of the Strong Black Woman, a woman who, motivated by service and sacrifice, handles, manages, and overcomes any problem, any obstacle. The syndrome calls on Black women to be the problem-solvers and chief caretakers for everyone in their lives never buckling, never feeling vulnerable, and never bothering with their pain. Hidden mental health crisis of anxiety and depression. To be a Black woman in America is to know you cannot protect your children or guarantee their safety, your value is consistently questioned, and even being "twice as good" is often not good enough. Consequently, Black women disproportionately experience anxiety and depression. Studies now conclusively connect racism and mental health and physical health. Take care of your emotional health. You deserve to be emotionally healthy for yourself and those you love. More and more young Black women are re-examining the Strong Black Woman syndrome and engaging in self-care practices that change their lives. Hear stories of Black women who: Asked for help Built lives that offer healing Learned to accept healing If you have read The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health, The Racial Healing Handbook, or Black Fatigue, The Strong Black Woman is your next read.

National Book Award finalist
A "New York Times" notable book
"One knows early on one is reading a classic--a text so necessary and abundant and true that all efforts of its kind, for decades before and after it, will be measured by it."--Thomas Lynch, "Los Angeles Times"
After fifteen years in print, "Woman "remains an essential guide to everything from organs to orgasms and hormones to hysterectomies. With her characteristic clarity, insight, and sheer exuberance of language, bestselling author Natalie Angier cuts through the still prevalent myths and misinformation surrounding the female body, that most enigmatic of evolutionary masterpieces. "Woman "is a witty and assured narrative tour de force with a reliable grasp of science.
Updated throughout and with a new introduction bringing readers up to date on the latest science in evolutionary psychology and hormone replacement therapy, this new edition of Woman reinvigorates Angier's joyful vision of womanhood.
"Ultimately, this grand tour of the female body provides a new vision of the role of women in the history of our species."--"Washington Post"