Female Castration

On The History of Hysterectomy and Castration, plus the FREE Book Summary "The Castrated Woman" by Naomi Miller Stokes

• Hippocrates is the ancient Greek physician who is often referred to as "the father of modern medicine," credited with what is now called the Hippocratic Oath. Hippocrates helped set the tone for more than 2,000 years of gynecology when he asked, "What is woman?" He then answered his own question: "Disease." - The H Word

Hello Nora,

I just received your news letter regarding the next event. I am so sad that I can not attend any of them. I would love to however, I am disabled due to UNNECESSARY AND UNAUTHORIZED" hysterectomy that was done on me in 1976 at the age of 25. I have had problems ever since this was done to me and I am 100% behind your movement, even though I may not benefit from it. Maybe others can be protected. I am living on a very low fixed income and am unable to travel anywhere due to lack of funds but my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I admire you for doing what you are doing. Unfortunately, the butcher that did my surgery is dead now so there is nothing I can do about the violent crime committed against me. I am only 52 years old and my life is ruined. Has been for quite some time and all because of that surgery. I was told I was going to have a laparoscopy ONLY, that was "ALL" that I signed for, when 1 awoke they had removed both ovaries, both tubes, my uterus and my appendix !!!!! I was extremely confused, frightened and devastated !!!

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work for this very important and just cause and say my thoughts and prayers are will all of you working on this issue.

GOD bless you all, -(name omitted for confidentiality)

The H Word – Chapter 5

I simply don’t understand how the castration of women is accepted in this “modern” age.

About 600,000 women a year undergo hysterectomies in the U.S. This makes it the second most common surgery among women in the country, surpassed only by cesarean sections.

With about a third losing their ovaries although there are alternatives:

210,000 women could avoid losing their ovaries annually if alternative treatments were pursued instead of hysterectomies, based on the 70 percent estimate of avoidable procedures.

Let’s be clear, the uterus is not only a sex organ but an important part of the endocrine system.

If each year in the US, 600,000 men had their penis removed and 210,000 had the testicles sliced off, I imagine there might be some uproar.

What am I missing?

Where are the “feminists”?

If I ever needed any evidence that feminists have no interest in women, womanhood or the feminine, it is this. Their silence is deafening.

The butchery of women has not happened in a vacuum.

It is not a modern emergence.

Here is the Foreword to The Castrated Woman by Naomi Miller Stokes written by the one and only Dr Robert Mendelsohn.

Here is the free Unbekoming Book Summary. Please share it around.

The Castrated Woman By Naomi Miller Stokes Unbekoming Summary

120KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

---

The Castrated Woman

Foreword

As I write this foreword (November, 1985) to Naomi Miller Stokes's crucially important book, the assault of "modem medicine" on the sexual organs of women has reached record levels.

The masked man (and woman!) armed with a scalpel took out-according to the latest annual statistics-an all-time high of 800,000 uteruses in 1985. And, not satisfied with the de­ cades-old bloodshed due to the discredited, but by no means abandoned, radical mastectomy, the doctor has added to his breast repertoire the "prophylactic" (subcutaneous) mastectomy. Furthermore, his slaughter during childbirth has yielded, in addition to an undiminished harvest of episiotomies, a 30 percent-plus Cesarean section rate.

Yet, in accord with Newton's Law-which applies to hu­ man affairs as well as to physics-the counterattack against this surgical juggernaut is mounting. In this war for human survival, Naomi Miller Stokes's publication provides a powerful weapon. She claims her book is about love. I would add-it is about life.

This book is must-reading for the following audiences:

• every woman threatened with a hysterectomy

• every woman who has had a hysterectomy

• every man whose woman falls into the above two categories

• every parent of a woman in those two categories

• every young girl about to begin menses who wants a lyrical, yet rational, description of menstruation

• every attorney, especially trial lawyers specializing in mal­ practice and personal injury, faced with women who have suffered grave damage without ever having received the in­ formation necessary to make a decision on the basis of in­ formed consent.

Armed with the information presented by Mrs. Stokes, women will increasingly be able to resist the doctor who threatens them with the "Big C" should they fail to accept his advice. Only when patients become more fearful of the scalpel than of the cancer will the body count begin to drop.

The Castrated Woman appears just at the right time, together with the emergence of the new consumer health movement in the United States. Citizens throughout the country are now organizing to fight the major cause of illness today-iatrogenic (Greek for "doctor-produced") disease.

The Castrated Woman will evoke a profound response in every citizen dedicated to the eradication of injustice, especially the deadly injustice of hysterectomy.

Robert S. Mendelsohn, M.D. Author, MALePRACTICE: How Doctors Manipulate Women

---

The following Q&As rely on Chapter 5 of The H Word by Coffey and Schweikert.

Chapter 5 – The history of hysterectomy and female castration

What role did ancient beliefs about the uterus play in the origins of hysterectomy?

Ancient Beliefs and the Uterus Ancient medical practices were influenced by the belief that the uterus was the cause of many female ailments, a concept known as the "wandering womb." This idea led to treatments aimed at repositioning the uterus or managing its supposed wanderings, reflecting a deep misunderstanding of female anatomy and health.

Do you know why it’s called a hysterectomy? Because in the Victorian era if a husband decided his wife was too emotional he would take her to the doctor and the doctor would recommend removal of her female organs to help calm her emotions. To help her not get so “hysterical”. Remove the hysteria from her personality. Before you say “what a good idea!” think about the things she might have gotten hysterical about-his mistress, sending her children away to live somewhere else, physical abuse, etc Look it up - Candy Farnsworth

How did the concept of the "wandering womb" influence early treatments for women's health?

"Wandering Womb" Influence The concept of the wandering womb, originating from ancient Greek medicine, suggested that many female health issues were due to the uterus moving within the body. Treatments involved using scents to guide the womb back to its proper place, highlighting early attempts to address women's health with limited understanding of human anatomy.

Look into some old writings by male docs and there was an overwhelming theme that the female menstrual cycles interfered with male sexual needs, and made women hysterical and histrionic every month. The cure…hysterectomies! No loss of sexual time due to menstrual seepage or emotional women 🤦‍♀️. A win for men, but nobody seemed to care about the women. Those who complained were labeled drug seekers or hypochondriacs far too often by the medical establishment that lied to them and did irreparable damages. All protected under the ‘standard practice’ or ‘standard of care’ verbiage that lawyer refuse to breech most times. - DNPmom

Who was Hippocrates, and what was his contribution to the history of gynecology?

Hippocrates' Contribution Hippocrates, often called the father of medicine, contributed significantly to early gynecology but also perpetuated the wandering womb theory. His work laid foundational medical principles but also reflected the sex biases of his time, often attributing women's health issues to their reproductive organs.

Hippocrates is the ancient Greek physician who is often referred to as "the father of modern medicine," credited with what is now called the Hippocratic Oath. Hippocrates helped set the tone for more than 2,000 years of gynecology when he asked, "What is woman?" He then answered his own question: "Disease."

Some ancient physicians believed that the womb was actually a sort of beast, capable of wandering around inside of women.

This theory gave rise to the "wandering womb" myth. Hippocrates himself believed that hysteria was caused by a wandering uterus.

And if the womb of an ancient Greek woman was believed to have risen up out of her pelvis, a physician might try to make it go back down to where it was supposed to be by tying a putrid-smelling substance to the woman's face and putting flowers on her vagina.

As crazy as it may sound to us today, in this way, they thought, the uterus would recoil away from the putrid smell toward the flowery smell and that would end the hysteria. – The H Word

Can you explain the historical context of female castration and its purposes?

Context of Female Castration Female castration, historically, involved the removal of ovaries and was often linked with hysterectomy. Initially believed to manage or cure various female health issues, this practice reflects a long history of medical interventions in women's bodies without a full understanding of the consequences, often driven by misguided beliefs about female sexuality and reproductive health.

Feminist scholar Mary Daly notes two horrific moments in 19 century gynecological history. The first is the "invention" of clitoridectomy (removal of the clitoris) by British gynecologist Isaac Baker Brown. Brown's genital mutilation procedure was "enthusiastically accepted as a 'cure' for female masturbation," Daly writes.

The second development came in 1873, with Robert Battey's use of oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries, female castration) “to cure insanity and to 'elevate the moral sense of the patients, making them tractable, orderly, industrious, and cleanly.” – The H Word

Who was J. Marion Sims, and what is his controversial legacy in gynecology?

J. Marion Sims' Legacy J. Marion Sims, known as the father of modern gynecology, made significant advances in the field but at a great ethical cost. His experiments on enslaved African American women without anesthesia highlight the complex legacy of medical innovation intertwined with ethical violations and racism.

J Marion Sims, the Father of Gynecology’ practiced his skills on poor black women with NO anesthesia. He is still revered today…but in actuality he was an inhumane butcher with no compassion or ethics guiding him. – The H Word

How did societal attitudes towards female sexuality influence the practice of hysterectomy?

Societal Attitudes and Hysterectomy Societal attitudes towards female sexuality and reproductive health have significantly influenced the practice of hysterectomy. Historical practices often reflected broader societal attempts to control or manage women's bodies, with varying degrees of consent and understanding of the implications for women's health and well-being.

In 1971, ACOG members met to discuss hysterectomy. More than 2,000 years after Hippocrates' death, gynecologist Ralph W. White said of the uterus, "It's a useless, bleeding, symptom-producing, potential cancer-bearing organ." He was applauded by his fellow doctors. This statement is like an echo across the millennia from Hippocrates, who equated women with disease. – The H Word

What ethical concerns have arisen from the historical practice of hysterectomy and female castration?

Ethical Concerns in History The historical practice of hysterectomy and female castration raises ethical concerns about consent, autonomy, and the medical treatment of women. These practices, especially when performed without full informed consent or understanding, reflect broader ethical issues in the medical treatment of women's bodies.

Now study the hystery of hysterectomy. How they would practice the operation on poor Irish immigrants who were perfectly healthy but needed money - Robin Dann

How did World War II and Nazi medical experiments affect the field of gynecology?

WWII and Gynecology World War II and Nazi medical experiments, including forced sterilizations, cast a long shadow over the field of gynecology, highlighting the potential for abuse in medical research and the importance of ethical standards in medical practice.

How do historical practices of hysterectomy and female castration reflect broader societal sex dynamics?

Sex Dynamics Reflection Historical practices of hysterectomy and female castration reflect broader societal sex dynamics, often embodying attempts to control or influence women's bodies and reproductive health. These practices highlight the intersection of medicine, sex, and power, and the ongoing struggle for women's autonomy and rights.

---

Next, this is the Preface to The Castrated Woman by Naomi Miller Stokes

Preface

This book is about hysterectomy in America today. It is neither a-medical textbook nor a political treatise; it is an exploration of what happened to me following a complete hysterectomy, a statement that grew out of my need to understand and explain the mysterious changes I underwent, and an account of what happened to other women following the surgery. In short, it offers the good news, the bad news, the discoveries-some of which border on revelation, viable alternatives, and hope.

For decades the medical profession has assured women that removal of the uterus and ovaries is a benign surgery, that it will have no adverse effects on their bodies or on their sexuality; that, on the contrary, sex will be better. For some women, this is true. But countless women have found it to be untrue and, in the finding, have been labeled "a little strange"- seriously in need of psychological attention.

Loss of sexual desire and enjoyment following hysterectomy strikes untold thousands of women. It is a physical problem, not a mental or an emotional one; if, however, it is al­ lowed to go unresolved, it can become either one or both.

Sexual dysfunction is just one sequela of a crippling surgery that is being performed with increasing frequency. Other tragic aftereffects include a sharp rise in the incidence of atherosclerotic heart disease and crippling and painful osteoporosis as well as severe depression that has led, in some cases, to suicide attempts.

In my own search for the truth about hysterectomy, I began by talking to women I knew. They talked to their friends, who called and talked to me. I wrote to friends around the country who, in tum, had women in their locales write or call me. The network spread. I put aside my discomfort about asking intimate questions.

What I found was an almost unbelievable conspiracy of silence. I discovered that I was by no means alone but that only those who have been there-who have walked out of the operating rooms of this country minus their "women's organs"­ know and speak the truth about hysterectomy.

During my research, I suffered a near-fatal heart attack and underwent bypass surgery. I was diagnosed as having developed atherosclerotic heart disease, now known as a frequent result of loss of ovarian and uterine function.

The more I heard and studied, the angrier I grew. I sold my business and devoted my time to discovering what is going on with women and hysterectomy in this country today. For the most part, it is not good.

During my seven years of research I interviewed 500 women from all walks of life and from all over the United States regarding their experiences with the aftermath of hysterectomy. The body of testimony, the anecdotal evidence, is astounding.

Of these 500 women, 51 did not know whether they still had their ovaries; 12 considered sex better after the surgery; 38 considered their operations absolutely necessary; 234 had the surgery for birth control reasons, although they said their doctors put "other reasons" on the medical forms; 477 did not care as much for sex after the surgery; 399 lost sexual appetite entirely; 473 were under 44 years of age.

Of the 477 who suffered from some degree of libido loss, all felt that had they been told beforehand that sexual dysfunction could occur, they and their mates would have been far more able to deal with it. The biggest problem was being told the surgery could in no way cause such problems when they suffered from these problems every night in their bedrooms. Too often the legacy of hysterectomy is a troubled marriage, leading, in many cases, to divorce, usually within two to five years of the surgery. Sometimes the woman's personality changes to such a degree she no longer has any feeling for her mate. Sometimes the man leaves. These are men who have been otherwise devoted partners but who can no longer endure either a robot-like sexual relationship or a downright sexless one.

Upon rare occasions I encoW1tered women who were happy with their hysterectomies. The records show that these women were divided into three distinct categories. The first were women who had suffered nearly unbearable pain during certain phases of their menstrual cycles; for them, surgery provided relief. The second were women who felt extremely protective of their doctors, exhibiting, along with some anger, feelings of "my doctor is God and he is not to be questioned"; these women also evidenced a personalization and extreme possessiveness regarding their surgeries, referring to them continually as "my hysterectomy." The third group were women who, since girl­ hood, had detested their menstrual periods, considering them crippling disabilities that prevented them from participating in sports with their male peers.

In writing this book I have been helped immeasurably by many concerned medical people, both men and women. Hysterectomy is a highly controversial subject as well as a highly emotional one. Happily, the doors of awareness are opening. Only a few years ago virtually no one in the medical profession would admit that many women suffer loss of libido after hysterectomy. Now it is known to be a fact, but the reasons for it are energetically disputed.

The Castrated Woman began as an inward journey, a search for something of inestimable value that had been lost. It grew with the realization that I was not alone and that sexual dysfunction is only one of the disorders hysterectomy may leave in its wake. During my search I discovered that there is hope for the castrated woman. I also discovered that there are alternate therapies that in many cases can spare a woman a hysterectomy. When women understand before the fact of surgery what hysterectomy can do to their systems, they will demand these alternate therapies.

This book is our contribution-mine, the women and men I interviewed, my medical sources-to any woman contemplating hysterectomy, to those women who have already undergone the surgery, and to those who love these women. Most of all, it is for my daughters who, I hope, will never wear the "smiling scar."

Naomi Miller Stokes Portland, Oregon 1986

---

Thank You for Being Part of Our Community

Your presence here is greatly valued. If you've found the content interesting and useful, please consider supporting it through a paid subscription. While all our resources are freely available, your subscription plays a vital role. It helps in covering some of the operational costs and supports the continuation of this independent research and journalism work. Please make full use of our Free Libraries.

Discover Our Free Libraries:

Unbekoming Interview Library: Dive into a world of thought-provoking interviews across a spectrum of fascinating topics.

Unbekoming Book Summary Library: Explore concise summaries of groundbreaking books, distilled for efficient understanding.

Hear From Our Subscribers: Check out the [Subscriber Testimonials] to see the impact of this Substack on our readers.

Share Your Story or Nominate Someone to Interview:

I'm always in search of compelling narratives and insightful individuals to feature. Whether it's personal experiences with the vaccination or other medical interventions, or if you know someone whose story and expertise could enlighten our community, I'd love to hear from you. If you have a story to share, insights to offer, or wish to suggest an interviewee who can add significant value to our discussions, please don't hesitate to get in touch at unbekoming@outlook.com. Your contributions and suggestions are invaluable in enriching our understanding and conversation.

Resources for the Community:

For those affected by COVID vaccine injury, consider the FLCCC Post-Vaccine Treatment as a resource.

Discover 'Baseline Human Health': Watch and share this insightful 21-minute video to understand and appreciate the foundations of health without vaccination.

Books as Tools: Consider recommending 'Official Stories' by Liam Scheff to someone seeking understanding. Start with a “safe” chapter such as Electricity and Shakespeare and they might find their way to vaccination.

Your support, whether through subscriptions, sharing stories, or spreading knowledge, is what keeps this community thriving. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey.