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Get It Out: On the Politics of Hysterectomy
An examination of hysterectomy and the struggle for bodily and reproductive autonomy
At least one hysterectomy is performed every minute of the year, making it the most common gynecological surgery worldwide. By the age of sixty-five, one out of five people born with a uterus will have it removed. So, why do we seldom talk about this surgery? Highly performed yet overlooked, examining the paradox of hysterectomy begins to unravel the various problems with how we medically treat uteruses and the people who have them.
Get It Out weaves centuries of medical history with rich qualitative data from 100 women, trans men, and nonbinary people who had, want, or are considering hysterectomy. In compelling detail, Andréa Becker reveals how America’s healthcare system routinely deprives people of the ability to control their own bodies along race and gender lines. When people ask for a hysterectomy, they are often met with Are you sick enough? Old enough? Have you had enough babies? Will you regret this? How will your future husband feel about this? Yet this pushback is not equally experienced. While some people are barred access, others are ushered toward a hysterectomy. These contradictory recommendations reveal the persistent biases entrenched within healthcare.
Get It Out interrogates how little choice people with uteruses ultimately have over their reproductive health, and explores what these “choices” signify amid interlocking systems of inequality.
At least one hysterectomy is performed every minute of the year, making it the most common gynecological surgery worldwide. By the age of sixty-five, one out of five people born with a uterus will have it removed. So, why do we seldom talk about this surgery? Highly performed yet overlooked, examining the paradox of hysterectomy begins to unravel the various problems with how we medically treat uteruses and the people who have them.
Get It Out weaves centuries of medical history with rich qualitative data from 100 women, trans men, and nonbinary people who had, want, or are considering hysterectomy. In compelling detail, Andréa Becker reveals how America’s healthcare system routinely deprives people of the ability to control their own bodies along race and gender lines. When people ask for a hysterectomy, they are often met with Are you sick enough? Old enough? Have you had enough babies? Will you regret this? How will your future husband feel about this? Yet this pushback is not equally experienced. While some people are barred access, others are ushered toward a hysterectomy. These contradictory recommendations reveal the persistent biases entrenched within healthcare.
Get It Out interrogates how little choice people with uteruses ultimately have over their reproductive health, and explores what these “choices” signify amid interlocking systems of inequality.
208 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2025
13 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 31, 2025
This book, GET IT OUT by Andréa Becker, gave me way more information about my own condition and reasons I have been unable to get them treated. This doesn't lessen the pain of medical negligence, but it does help me make sense of my world. And that is a genuine gift.
"...[The] way one comes to have a hysterectomy largely hinges on who you are, where you live, and the resources at your disposal. What a hysterectomy means to you also reflects your historical and cultural relationship to stratified reproduction." p14
This book, while not personal in tone, was a very personal read for me. I've been trying to get access to this procedure for 6 years for my documented reproductive disorders. But I also have a history of mental illness, which doctors can maneuver in all sorts of ways to deny tests and procedures. Especially this one. I have finally found a doctor, a young woman, who doesn't seem like she has a flag to plant in my sacrum. She has given me access to HRT and will give me access to surgery if we can't get my symptoms under control. Since starting HRT, all of my conditions have relented. I'm lucky. Extremely lucky.
"When a hysterectomy is deemed “elective”—as it is in 90 percent of cases—even if it is chosen to manage excruciating pain or bleeding that interferes with daily life, the ability to have the procedure can be limited by doctors, insurance companies, and even hospital policy." p73
But my insurance won't pay for any of it. I pay full price for my HRT and I will be expected to pay full price for my hysterectomy if my doctor and I decide to pursue it. No payment plans either; the price of the procedure will be due before I have access to it. If I experience any complications from this procedure, those too will be my sole responsibility. These are extreme barriers for someone like me, disabled and not working for ten years.
"Pregnancy as a recommended cure for endometriosis and other reproductive illnesses is not uncommon, as symptoms can abate for some during the pregnancy itself. However, pregnancy is not a panacea. Symptoms typically recur after pregnancy, and pregnancy and childbirth themselves carry significant risk. Moreover, endometriosis, fibroids, and adenomyosis often lead to issues that affect conceiving and sustaining a pregnancy, making this medical recommendation all the more fraught." p78
I don't even know what to say. Pregnancy is its own medical condition, fraught with complicated symptoms. I have never even heard of a doctor recommending a medical condition to treat another medical condition. To me this borders on snake oil treatments; "Just kick something really hard and you'll forget about your uterus!" No, that's not how that works. No one should be telling people to do this, especially not doctors.
But they do, that's the problem.
I recommend this book to readers grappling with gynocological issues, and those interested in popular science and the politics of healthcare in the US.
Thank you to the Andréa Becker, NYU Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of GET IT OUT. I found and accessible digital copy on Libby. All views are mine.
"...[The] way one comes to have a hysterectomy largely hinges on who you are, where you live, and the resources at your disposal. What a hysterectomy means to you also reflects your historical and cultural relationship to stratified reproduction." p14
This book, while not personal in tone, was a very personal read for me. I've been trying to get access to this procedure for 6 years for my documented reproductive disorders. But I also have a history of mental illness, which doctors can maneuver in all sorts of ways to deny tests and procedures. Especially this one. I have finally found a doctor, a young woman, who doesn't seem like she has a flag to plant in my sacrum. She has given me access to HRT and will give me access to surgery if we can't get my symptoms under control. Since starting HRT, all of my conditions have relented. I'm lucky. Extremely lucky.
"When a hysterectomy is deemed “elective”—as it is in 90 percent of cases—even if it is chosen to manage excruciating pain or bleeding that interferes with daily life, the ability to have the procedure can be limited by doctors, insurance companies, and even hospital policy." p73
But my insurance won't pay for any of it. I pay full price for my HRT and I will be expected to pay full price for my hysterectomy if my doctor and I decide to pursue it. No payment plans either; the price of the procedure will be due before I have access to it. If I experience any complications from this procedure, those too will be my sole responsibility. These are extreme barriers for someone like me, disabled and not working for ten years.
"Pregnancy as a recommended cure for endometriosis and other reproductive illnesses is not uncommon, as symptoms can abate for some during the pregnancy itself. However, pregnancy is not a panacea. Symptoms typically recur after pregnancy, and pregnancy and childbirth themselves carry significant risk. Moreover, endometriosis, fibroids, and adenomyosis often lead to issues that affect conceiving and sustaining a pregnancy, making this medical recommendation all the more fraught." p78
I don't even know what to say. Pregnancy is its own medical condition, fraught with complicated symptoms. I have never even heard of a doctor recommending a medical condition to treat another medical condition. To me this borders on snake oil treatments; "Just kick something really hard and you'll forget about your uterus!" No, that's not how that works. No one should be telling people to do this, especially not doctors.
But they do, that's the problem.
I recommend this book to readers grappling with gynocological issues, and those interested in popular science and the politics of healthcare in the US.
Thank you to the Andréa Becker, NYU Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of GET IT OUT. I found and accessible digital copy on Libby. All views are mine.
May 3, 2025
It is almost like you have to consider women as people; all those years of reading Aristotle never prepared me for that!
This is a book about elective hysterectomy, “elective” requiring sufficient air quotes as to have its own shoe line. Less glibly, the book is about “elective” as a concept, using the medical procedure of a hysterectomy to understand the act of electing to have a medical procedure done: who decides, why, and what influences those decisions.
The answer is the usual suspects of race, gender, and class. What elevates it is, like the recent the recent Sanger/Dennett book, it cuts through the culture war tropes and routines…or at least provides the evidence for anyone so inclined to look at the question as a matter of facts on the ground rather than a contest of ideas.
Peeking at the other reviews, I am shocked to see people refer to it as repetitive. It is repetitive in a structural sense (i.e. a sociological study). It is a series of interviews with people who have had, want, or considered a hysterectomy. The notable feature here is the variation in the stories, inclusive of people who want one and cannot get it as well as people who did not want one but had it. It is the message of the book.
The answer is not uniform. Hysterectomy is not something that we can say that there need to be either more or less of in a categorical sense. Rather, the failure point is having systems around the procedure that act scientifically and respectfully; scientifically, because of the poor states of the research around the uterus and uterine problems in general, and respectfully in terms of decision-making that includes the patient in the process.
What then gives this book an applicability far in excess of this arguably limited conclusion is that the specific events create a sort of negative space to see culture itself. In the ongoing culture war, we (the U.S. we) tend to talk about things like gender, class, race, and reproduction in abstract terms, as if something like misogyny was a debate over theory and ideas. Here is the sausage of bigotry getting made. You can come to different conclusions, but you must reconcile with the facts here.
The strength is a weakness. It is the customary problem with an impassioned cry for nuance. Since the point is that there is not a point, not An Answer, it is easy to miss the forest for the trees.
Similarly, there are two topics that get extended consideration - fitting this into the grander question of what (if these were oligarchs) we would call biohacking and trying to negotiate the distinction in good and bad patient advocacy, since the distinction is not in the means, only in the ends. These are interesting questions, and stick with me. But the book is focused elsewhere.
It is not for everyone, but the kind of book that I wish everyone would read. Receiving the information here would do a lot for getting the facts right to have substantive discussions about big problems, as opposed to...whatever politics is now.
My thanks to the author, Andréa Becker, for writing the book, and to the publisher, NYU Press, for making the ARC available to me.
This is a book about elective hysterectomy, “elective” requiring sufficient air quotes as to have its own shoe line. Less glibly, the book is about “elective” as a concept, using the medical procedure of a hysterectomy to understand the act of electing to have a medical procedure done: who decides, why, and what influences those decisions.
The answer is the usual suspects of race, gender, and class. What elevates it is, like the recent the recent Sanger/Dennett book, it cuts through the culture war tropes and routines…or at least provides the evidence for anyone so inclined to look at the question as a matter of facts on the ground rather than a contest of ideas.
Peeking at the other reviews, I am shocked to see people refer to it as repetitive. It is repetitive in a structural sense (i.e. a sociological study). It is a series of interviews with people who have had, want, or considered a hysterectomy. The notable feature here is the variation in the stories, inclusive of people who want one and cannot get it as well as people who did not want one but had it. It is the message of the book.
The answer is not uniform. Hysterectomy is not something that we can say that there need to be either more or less of in a categorical sense. Rather, the failure point is having systems around the procedure that act scientifically and respectfully; scientifically, because of the poor states of the research around the uterus and uterine problems in general, and respectfully in terms of decision-making that includes the patient in the process.
What then gives this book an applicability far in excess of this arguably limited conclusion is that the specific events create a sort of negative space to see culture itself. In the ongoing culture war, we (the U.S. we) tend to talk about things like gender, class, race, and reproduction in abstract terms, as if something like misogyny was a debate over theory and ideas. Here is the sausage of bigotry getting made. You can come to different conclusions, but you must reconcile with the facts here.
The strength is a weakness. It is the customary problem with an impassioned cry for nuance. Since the point is that there is not a point, not An Answer, it is easy to miss the forest for the trees.
Similarly, there are two topics that get extended consideration - fitting this into the grander question of what (if these were oligarchs) we would call biohacking and trying to negotiate the distinction in good and bad patient advocacy, since the distinction is not in the means, only in the ends. These are interesting questions, and stick with me. But the book is focused elsewhere.
It is not for everyone, but the kind of book that I wish everyone would read. Receiving the information here would do a lot for getting the facts right to have substantive discussions about big problems, as opposed to...whatever politics is now.
My thanks to the author, Andréa Becker, for writing the book, and to the publisher, NYU Press, for making the ARC available to me.
Read
March 7, 2025This reads like a long college essay. With the points on accessibility in different cultures and medical backgrounds, one would think this would be more easily accessible in way of reading. Really it's just a lot of long sentences repeating the same information a few times over. It's not hard words, just very very dense. I feel like I'm studying for a health history class rather than learning and reflecting on something for personal gain. All this in addition to the introduction been 17% of the book, which went into heavy detail on what each chapter would be about and how the book would conclude itself. Can we just get to the chapters already?
July 24, 2025
this really nicely balanced the structure of academic research and the accessibility of popular non-fiction. as someone who thinks my hysterectomy is one of the best things ive ever done for myself, it was as lovely to find community in the trans experience as it was meaningful to learn about how different that experience is across lines of gender and race
March 5, 2025
Wow this is as such a profound and important read. Hysterectomy is truly a microcosm of all the ways healthcare fails individuals with uteruses and the power that healthcare choices bring.
From the origins of hysteria to the examination of the different sides of eugenics logic (the paternalistic gate keeping of healthcare as well as disregard for the well being of patients) - I learned so much. I read through the first section at a sprint - I couldn’t believe what I was reading- and I had to know more.
The interviews in this book, while insightful, do drag it on, occasionally falling into repetition. But ultimately I wanted to read every word of their stories.
I greatly appreciated how thoroughly this author investigated the varied experiences with and feelings about hysterectomy.
I came away from this book with a better understanding of history, patriarchy in healthcare, and the current state of gynecological care. Highly recommend!
From the origins of hysteria to the examination of the different sides of eugenics logic (the paternalistic gate keeping of healthcare as well as disregard for the well being of patients) - I learned so much. I read through the first section at a sprint - I couldn’t believe what I was reading- and I had to know more.
The interviews in this book, while insightful, do drag it on, occasionally falling into repetition. But ultimately I wanted to read every word of their stories.
I greatly appreciated how thoroughly this author investigated the varied experiences with and feelings about hysterectomy.
I came away from this book with a better understanding of history, patriarchy in healthcare, and the current state of gynecological care. Highly recommend!
September 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and NYU Press for a complimentary copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Hysterectomies are often widely thought of as a last resort kind of surgical procedure, usually performed if the person is sick and there are literally no other options. But to get to the point of surgery usually takes a long time because a lot of doctors and insurance companies won't do it/cover the cost, making it almost impossible for people to have full autonomy over their bodies. Hearing some of the stories of women, trans men, and non-binary people who had or want a hysterectomy during a time when bodily autonomy is considered non-existent was astounding. I have a lot of views on the bodily autonomy topic, and being someone who has gone through similar experiences as the people involved in this study, doctors' lack of sympathy or the ability to listen to their patient greatly frustrates me. There are two sides of the spectrum - a doctor pushing for you NOT to have one because you "might change your mind about having babies" one day or "what will your future husband think?" and a doctor pushing you TO have one when you don't want one and they haven't gone over other options before having to resort to hysterectomy. There is no in between. Far too often, those people who want a hysterectomy either because they have immense amounts of pain during menstruation, they don't plan on having children, or the purpose involving sex change are told no because, in their eyes, it's "unnecessary." This basically is telling the patient they have zero say over their bodies and what is done to them.
I thought this was a good look into the medical field and how it treats hysterectomies, on both sides of the spectrum. There are very few doctors who will actually listen to their patients' needs and wants. Hopefully this book can help patients across the world to fighter harder for bodily autonomy. No society should be telling people with a uterus that they can't have it removed because they need to have babies.
Hysterectomies are often widely thought of as a last resort kind of surgical procedure, usually performed if the person is sick and there are literally no other options. But to get to the point of surgery usually takes a long time because a lot of doctors and insurance companies won't do it/cover the cost, making it almost impossible for people to have full autonomy over their bodies. Hearing some of the stories of women, trans men, and non-binary people who had or want a hysterectomy during a time when bodily autonomy is considered non-existent was astounding. I have a lot of views on the bodily autonomy topic, and being someone who has gone through similar experiences as the people involved in this study, doctors' lack of sympathy or the ability to listen to their patient greatly frustrates me. There are two sides of the spectrum - a doctor pushing for you NOT to have one because you "might change your mind about having babies" one day or "what will your future husband think?" and a doctor pushing you TO have one when you don't want one and they haven't gone over other options before having to resort to hysterectomy. There is no in between. Far too often, those people who want a hysterectomy either because they have immense amounts of pain during menstruation, they don't plan on having children, or the purpose involving sex change are told no because, in their eyes, it's "unnecessary." This basically is telling the patient they have zero say over their bodies and what is done to them.
I thought this was a good look into the medical field and how it treats hysterectomies, on both sides of the spectrum. There are very few doctors who will actually listen to their patients' needs and wants. Hopefully this book can help patients across the world to fighter harder for bodily autonomy. No society should be telling people with a uterus that they can't have it removed because they need to have babies.
April 26, 2025
Andréa Becker did a great job at the introduction looking into such a hard and complicated topic. Think this book leads us to a conversation we really need to have.
It’s really scary the judgement applied to this procedure when it’s not to save your life, when it’s “just” to help with your pain, etc (when no one would think like that towards going to the dentist to fill a cavity or get your wisdom teeth extracted for example) only because “you might want children one day” or even worse “have you thought about what your future husband will want??”, specially in a time when we can barely afford housing to begin with. I think medicine stopped only being a way to save people’s lives and started trying to improve the quality of life, and how this has not happened in the areas that only apply to women.
It’s crazy seeing the very different ways in which trans men and cis women were treated, how women’s pain it’s not seen as an important enough issue, even when it is completely ruining their lives.
It is also really interesting as a EU citizen seeing how the fully private and in a lot of cases highly inaccessible US medical system messes up with people’s heads.
Overall it vas really interesting and I really appreciate learning about all of the different perspectives, but all in all, it did feel a bit repetitive towards the end with how it talked about every single case that was studied.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of the book.
It’s really scary the judgement applied to this procedure when it’s not to save your life, when it’s “just” to help with your pain, etc (when no one would think like that towards going to the dentist to fill a cavity or get your wisdom teeth extracted for example) only because “you might want children one day” or even worse “have you thought about what your future husband will want??”, specially in a time when we can barely afford housing to begin with. I think medicine stopped only being a way to save people’s lives and started trying to improve the quality of life, and how this has not happened in the areas that only apply to women.
It’s crazy seeing the very different ways in which trans men and cis women were treated, how women’s pain it’s not seen as an important enough issue, even when it is completely ruining their lives.
It is also really interesting as a EU citizen seeing how the fully private and in a lot of cases highly inaccessible US medical system messes up with people’s heads.
Overall it vas really interesting and I really appreciate learning about all of the different perspectives, but all in all, it did feel a bit repetitive towards the end with how it talked about every single case that was studied.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of the book.
June 11, 2025
Wow wow wow… THIS! @anders_wo examines the unethical, racist, sexist, and transphobic history of violence within the field of gynecology in “Get It Out: The Politics of Hysterectomy”. What this book comes down to is choice. Hysterectomies are an ESSENTIAL part of healthcare for millions of folks with uteruses and help to preserve reproductive autonomy. However, they have also been used to further eugenics, specifically targeting Indigenous, Latine, and Black women. She further explores the coercive and exploitative practices that have shaped our modern contraceptive practices as well as reproductive healthcare in general. We cannot ignore the violent and traumatic history of reproductive healthcare and gynecology that served as the foundation of where we are today. It is no mystery why medical distrust is still so high.
What really stayed with me were the personal stories of folks sharing their wide array of experience. From gender-affirming care, to accessibility and stigma, this book captures the experiences of so many folks whose voices are otherwise silenced. Thank you for your amazing work @anders_wo 💕
This book is powerful and essential reading for EVERYONE!
Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from NYU Press. All thoughts and reviews are honest and my own
What really stayed with me were the personal stories of folks sharing their wide array of experience. From gender-affirming care, to accessibility and stigma, this book captures the experiences of so many folks whose voices are otherwise silenced. Thank you for your amazing work @anders_wo 💕
This book is powerful and essential reading for EVERYONE!
Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from NYU Press. All thoughts and reviews are honest and my own
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2025
A Powerful Exploration of the Politics of Hysterectomy
Andréa Becker’s “Get It Out: On the Politics of Hysterectomy” is a thought-provoking and deeply insightful work that sheds light on the complex issues surrounding hysterectomy, a surgical procedure that has been a cornerstone of gynecological medicine for centuries. Through a nuanced blend of medical history, qualitative data, and personal narratives, Becker crafts a compelling narrative that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about this often-controversial procedure and its impact on individuals and society.
Key Strengths
-In-Depth Analysis: Becker’s examination of the politics of hysterectomy is thorough and multifaceted, revealing the complex interplay between medical, social, and cultural factors that shape our understanding of this procedure.
-Personal Narratives: The book centers the voices and experiences of women, trans men, and nonbinary individuals who have undergone or considered hysterectomy, adding a rich layer of emotional resonance to the narrative.
-Historical Context: Becker provides a valuable historical record, documenting the evolution of hysterectomy and its impact on different communities.
Potential Considerations
-Complex Subject Matter: The topic of hysterectomy and its politics can be complex and nuanced, and some readers may benefit from additional background information to fully appreciate the nuances of the narrative.
-Emotional Intensity: While not gratuitous, the content may be emotionally challenging for some readers due to its focus on bodily autonomy, medical trauma, and societal pressures.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Content Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - A masterful dissection of the complexities surrounding hysterectomy.
-Writing Style: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - Becker’s writing is clear, concise, and engaging, making the book a compelling read.
-Research and Analysis: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - The author’s meticulous research and thoughtful analysis provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the topic.
-Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) - While the subject matter is complex, Becker’s writing makes the book accessible to a broad audience, though some readers may benefit from additional context.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - A powerful and thought-provoking exploration that redefines our understanding of hysterectomy.
Ideal Audience
-Readers interested in feminist theory, medical sociology, and the intersection of healthcare and societal norms.
-Individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of the complex issues surrounding hysterectomy and its impact on different communities.
-Anyone looking for a nuanced and empathetic exploration of bodily autonomy and medical decision-making.
Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Andréa Becker for the advance review copy. “Get It Out: On the Politics of Hysterectomy” is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on a critical and often overlooked aspect of women’s health and medical sociology.
Andréa Becker’s “Get It Out: On the Politics of Hysterectomy” is a thought-provoking and deeply insightful work that sheds light on the complex issues surrounding hysterectomy, a surgical procedure that has been a cornerstone of gynecological medicine for centuries. Through a nuanced blend of medical history, qualitative data, and personal narratives, Becker crafts a compelling narrative that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about this often-controversial procedure and its impact on individuals and society.
Key Strengths
-In-Depth Analysis: Becker’s examination of the politics of hysterectomy is thorough and multifaceted, revealing the complex interplay between medical, social, and cultural factors that shape our understanding of this procedure.
-Personal Narratives: The book centers the voices and experiences of women, trans men, and nonbinary individuals who have undergone or considered hysterectomy, adding a rich layer of emotional resonance to the narrative.
-Historical Context: Becker provides a valuable historical record, documenting the evolution of hysterectomy and its impact on different communities.
Potential Considerations
-Complex Subject Matter: The topic of hysterectomy and its politics can be complex and nuanced, and some readers may benefit from additional background information to fully appreciate the nuances of the narrative.
-Emotional Intensity: While not gratuitous, the content may be emotionally challenging for some readers due to its focus on bodily autonomy, medical trauma, and societal pressures.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Content Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - A masterful dissection of the complexities surrounding hysterectomy.
-Writing Style: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - Becker’s writing is clear, concise, and engaging, making the book a compelling read.
-Research and Analysis: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - The author’s meticulous research and thoughtful analysis provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the topic.
-Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) - While the subject matter is complex, Becker’s writing makes the book accessible to a broad audience, though some readers may benefit from additional context.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - A powerful and thought-provoking exploration that redefines our understanding of hysterectomy.
Ideal Audience
-Readers interested in feminist theory, medical sociology, and the intersection of healthcare and societal norms.
-Individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of the complex issues surrounding hysterectomy and its impact on different communities.
-Anyone looking for a nuanced and empathetic exploration of bodily autonomy and medical decision-making.
Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Andréa Becker for the advance review copy. “Get It Out: On the Politics of Hysterectomy” is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on a critical and often overlooked aspect of women’s health and medical sociology.
April 17, 2025
I don't even know where to begin. This was easily one of the most insightful non-fiction reads I've ever consumed. I initially requested this book to gain more understanding and obtain "leverage" when preparing for my next medical appointment. However, I quickly found myself consumed by the stories shared and became angry at the medical system and it's continued abuse of women and the queer, non-binary, and trans communities. I was appalled to learn how these procedures and modern contraceptives came about and how they still affect these populations to this day, decades later. I was also disgusted to learn how often hysterectomies are recommended for people of color before more conservative methods are explored. I would highly recommend this to anyone with or without a uterus, who does or does not want a hysterectomy (or any associated surgery), or anyone interested in this area of public health. If I weren't so bad at math, I would consider getting my MPH to make a change in this area of women's health. As someone who wants this procedure to not only solve some medical issues, but also as a response to today's political climate, this was a must-read. I have not changed my stance on wanting this procedure, but I now have the knowledge to make more informed choices based on the stories and information shared. Overall, this is a very quick and easy-to-understand read that is essential to today's public health needs.
Thank you to NetGalley, NYU Press, and Andréa Becker for a copy of this book. I received this ARC for free and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to NetGalley, NYU Press, and Andréa Becker for a copy of this book. I received this ARC for free and am leaving a review voluntarily.
March 1, 2025
As a woman going through the process of getting a hysterectomy this was a wonderful to read others insight into the broken system with this procedure.
July 29, 2025
We often think of surgery as an uncommon or emergency occurrence - an appendix here, a gallbladder there, a small scar and an occasional reminder of "oh yeah that one time...". For women and AFAB individuals, though, there is one surgery about one in five will experience by their sixties, and which is the most common gynecological surgery worldwide: the hysterectomy. Often performed, but seldom discussed - especially in terms of the cultural, societal, intimate, and ethical impact it has on patients and their families - the hysterectomy remains a cornerstone (and, paradoxically, a precarious tipping point) of female reproductive health.
Weaving together history and personal interviews with 100 patients over the course of their reproductive health journeys, Andrea Becker compiles a tapestry of the ways in which America’s healthcare system routinely deprives people of the ability to control their own bodies, especially along race and gender lines. Through qualitative first-person narratives with women, trans men, and non-binary individuals, Becker reveals the often unequal push and pull of reproductive rights and the bias which shapes one's experience with the healthcare system in this country.
As someone who has been deeply disturbed by recent shifts in healthcare policy in the country - especially in the reproductive health realm - this book was a really well-timed and poignant reminder of what we have to lose with restricted access to not just life-saving, but life-affirming and life-improving procedures. I loved the author's tour through various aspects of hysterectomy history and its unequal application, affirmed with voices of patients across time and identity, and really appreciated the nuanced perspectives both parties brought to the discussion of hysterectomies and gender-affirming care. I also learned a lot about the unequal access to hysterectomy across ae, race, gender, and socioeconomic lines - I knew about these divides in abstract, but the deeper investigation by Becker here was really insightful and would definitely be a great perspective for those who care for women and AFAB patients across the board.
I think this book would be a great primer for those who would like to hear first-hand from patients about their experiences with female reproductive care - many of the stories stayed with me as food for thought and the things I've learned will stay with me even through my practice is not directly related to female reproductive health. This is the kind of book I wish was around when I was a medical student as required reading and discussion as part of an OB/GYN and/or medical ethics course as well - there is a lot of great baseline information as well as deeper topics that I think would be great for practitioners to consider for their patients (at least 50% of whom will be AFAB across most specialties) in a whole-picture view. I also would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in women's reproductive health and its intersectional topics - race, gender, socioeconomic lines, and more - and hope it inspires readers to think (and vote) with a critical eye towards protected, expanded, and equitable healthcare access in their communities.
Weaving together history and personal interviews with 100 patients over the course of their reproductive health journeys, Andrea Becker compiles a tapestry of the ways in which America’s healthcare system routinely deprives people of the ability to control their own bodies, especially along race and gender lines. Through qualitative first-person narratives with women, trans men, and non-binary individuals, Becker reveals the often unequal push and pull of reproductive rights and the bias which shapes one's experience with the healthcare system in this country.
As someone who has been deeply disturbed by recent shifts in healthcare policy in the country - especially in the reproductive health realm - this book was a really well-timed and poignant reminder of what we have to lose with restricted access to not just life-saving, but life-affirming and life-improving procedures. I loved the author's tour through various aspects of hysterectomy history and its unequal application, affirmed with voices of patients across time and identity, and really appreciated the nuanced perspectives both parties brought to the discussion of hysterectomies and gender-affirming care. I also learned a lot about the unequal access to hysterectomy across ae, race, gender, and socioeconomic lines - I knew about these divides in abstract, but the deeper investigation by Becker here was really insightful and would definitely be a great perspective for those who care for women and AFAB patients across the board.
I think this book would be a great primer for those who would like to hear first-hand from patients about their experiences with female reproductive care - many of the stories stayed with me as food for thought and the things I've learned will stay with me even through my practice is not directly related to female reproductive health. This is the kind of book I wish was around when I was a medical student as required reading and discussion as part of an OB/GYN and/or medical ethics course as well - there is a lot of great baseline information as well as deeper topics that I think would be great for practitioners to consider for their patients (at least 50% of whom will be AFAB across most specialties) in a whole-picture view. I also would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in women's reproductive health and its intersectional topics - race, gender, socioeconomic lines, and more - and hope it inspires readers to think (and vote) with a critical eye towards protected, expanded, and equitable healthcare access in their communities.
August 7, 2025
Our history of medical advancement is storied, shocking, and stock full of cruelty and coercion. When I saw this book, I was eager to learn about the history of hysterectomy and the complications around its current use today. With 1/5th of those born with a uterus in the United States having it removed before the age of 65, hysterectomy is a very common procedure that is not widely discussed.
Learning of vaginal hysterectomies occurring in Ancient Greece as early as 50 BC, and the first abdominal hysterectomy in 1843 was fascinating and horrifying, especially with the knowledge that the patient often died from complications or infection. Worse, coercive, uninformed, and forced procedures on non consenting women is to be credited for the advancements we have today - a complicated history.
The author of this book focuses on the complicated culture of hysterectomy as experienced by different groups and affected by long-standing racism, sexism, and bias. The focus is largely a juxtaposition of experience between white cis women, cis women of color, and trans patients, further segmented in reasons for hysterectomy- pain management due to reproductive disease, and gender affirming care. The results are not quite what you would expect either. Historical and deep rooted bias and racism lends itself to eugenics underlying medical recommendations and practice. White women found their fertility prioritized over their health or quality of life, often being told age is a qualifying factor, while women of color found hysterectomies pushed as the only solution without regard for their fertility. Trans patients seeking gender affirming care, were unlikely to be counseled on their fertility options and quickly offered the hysterectomies requested.
This is a very complicated situation - many people want a hysterectomy, and others do not but need one for pain or disease management. I do feel some topics in this book needed more clear delineation to better categorize psychological and social impacts. A large gap for me was around the area of regret. Interviewees reported in some cases feeling regret when pushed toward a hysterectomy, while others felt relief; and that doctors cited regret as a reason for delaying hysterectomy. However, I think this needed to be specified into reason for the hysterectomy and more information on the medical necessity versus elective. I also believe this would’ve been a more complete assessment had their been patients who’ve had hysterectomies as cancer treatment, other medical necessity, and as birth control rather than just the elective focus provided to better see the juxtaposition. I also would’ve liked to see input/interviews from medical professionals in the field for their perspective as well.
Overall, this read more like a research paper than a book. There was a lot of repetition and a few research area gaps that would provide a more thorough analysis. That said, I did learn there are a lot of complicated emotions and experiences around hysterectomy, and not everyone has the same experience - and like all medical needs for women, POC, and the trans community, we need to be prepared to advocate for our health and our care.
Thank you to NetGalley and NYU Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Learning of vaginal hysterectomies occurring in Ancient Greece as early as 50 BC, and the first abdominal hysterectomy in 1843 was fascinating and horrifying, especially with the knowledge that the patient often died from complications or infection. Worse, coercive, uninformed, and forced procedures on non consenting women is to be credited for the advancements we have today - a complicated history.
The author of this book focuses on the complicated culture of hysterectomy as experienced by different groups and affected by long-standing racism, sexism, and bias. The focus is largely a juxtaposition of experience between white cis women, cis women of color, and trans patients, further segmented in reasons for hysterectomy- pain management due to reproductive disease, and gender affirming care. The results are not quite what you would expect either. Historical and deep rooted bias and racism lends itself to eugenics underlying medical recommendations and practice. White women found their fertility prioritized over their health or quality of life, often being told age is a qualifying factor, while women of color found hysterectomies pushed as the only solution without regard for their fertility. Trans patients seeking gender affirming care, were unlikely to be counseled on their fertility options and quickly offered the hysterectomies requested.
This is a very complicated situation - many people want a hysterectomy, and others do not but need one for pain or disease management. I do feel some topics in this book needed more clear delineation to better categorize psychological and social impacts. A large gap for me was around the area of regret. Interviewees reported in some cases feeling regret when pushed toward a hysterectomy, while others felt relief; and that doctors cited regret as a reason for delaying hysterectomy. However, I think this needed to be specified into reason for the hysterectomy and more information on the medical necessity versus elective. I also believe this would’ve been a more complete assessment had their been patients who’ve had hysterectomies as cancer treatment, other medical necessity, and as birth control rather than just the elective focus provided to better see the juxtaposition. I also would’ve liked to see input/interviews from medical professionals in the field for their perspective as well.
Overall, this read more like a research paper than a book. There was a lot of repetition and a few research area gaps that would provide a more thorough analysis. That said, I did learn there are a lot of complicated emotions and experiences around hysterectomy, and not everyone has the same experience - and like all medical needs for women, POC, and the trans community, we need to be prepared to advocate for our health and our care.
Thank you to NetGalley and NYU Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2025
Get It Out by Andréa Becker uses data and interviews with 100 people to highlight the inequities and biases in the medical community, past and present, using hysterectomies as the focal point.
Healthcare and medical research has long neglected or minimized attention given to those assigned female at birth. While medical technology has improved to the point where hysterectomies are minimally invasive, the knowledge about how to treat diseases and other conditions found or centered in the uterus have made minimal advances. To alleviate many of these conditions a hysterectomy is the best and often only treatment that can bring relief, yet they are often withheld because of social or cultural reasons or insurance coverage reasons.
The interviewees are a nice inclusive cross section and they are given plenty of room to share their experiences, both positive and negative. Becker uses these stories to highlight the statistics and the problematic policies they touch on.
I want to address a couple misleading comments I've seen about the book itself. Readers who read digital copies (myself included) often read epubs rather than pdfs, so they see percentages rather than page numbers. This can be misleading. For instance, I read a copy with pagination, so pages 1-21 of 163 pages (the body of the book minus index, appendix, etc)was the introduction, not particularly long. Someone reading with percentages and who perhaps didn't like the introduction saw a percentage, which includes all front matter including, on ARCs from Edelweiss and Netgalley, promotional material from the publisher. So if the thought of some unusually long introduction concerns you, don't worry. Also, yes, there is some repetition. The chapters rely heavily on interviews and each person told what they experienced. Many of those experiences are similar, which also means some of Becker's analysis will repeat key factors. When factors that affect someone being "allowed" to have a hysterectomy range across all groups seeking the procedure, you don't just mention it in the introduction then hope the readers will remember all of those factors with each story. Even saying that, I didn't think there was an extreme amount of repetition for a book making an argument.
Highly recommended for those interested in gender theory and the sociology of medicine/healthcare. Also valuable for those traveling the path many of the interviewees have traveled or are traveling. You're not alone, you're not wrong for wanting what you believe to be best for you, and there are people fighting to make things more equitable.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.
Healthcare and medical research has long neglected or minimized attention given to those assigned female at birth. While medical technology has improved to the point where hysterectomies are minimally invasive, the knowledge about how to treat diseases and other conditions found or centered in the uterus have made minimal advances. To alleviate many of these conditions a hysterectomy is the best and often only treatment that can bring relief, yet they are often withheld because of social or cultural reasons or insurance coverage reasons.
The interviewees are a nice inclusive cross section and they are given plenty of room to share their experiences, both positive and negative. Becker uses these stories to highlight the statistics and the problematic policies they touch on.
I want to address a couple misleading comments I've seen about the book itself. Readers who read digital copies (myself included) often read epubs rather than pdfs, so they see percentages rather than page numbers. This can be misleading. For instance, I read a copy with pagination, so pages 1-21 of 163 pages (the body of the book minus index, appendix, etc)was the introduction, not particularly long. Someone reading with percentages and who perhaps didn't like the introduction saw a percentage, which includes all front matter including, on ARCs from Edelweiss and Netgalley, promotional material from the publisher. So if the thought of some unusually long introduction concerns you, don't worry. Also, yes, there is some repetition. The chapters rely heavily on interviews and each person told what they experienced. Many of those experiences are similar, which also means some of Becker's analysis will repeat key factors. When factors that affect someone being "allowed" to have a hysterectomy range across all groups seeking the procedure, you don't just mention it in the introduction then hope the readers will remember all of those factors with each story. Even saying that, I didn't think there was an extreme amount of repetition for a book making an argument.
Highly recommended for those interested in gender theory and the sociology of medicine/healthcare. Also valuable for those traveling the path many of the interviewees have traveled or are traveling. You're not alone, you're not wrong for wanting what you believe to be best for you, and there are people fighting to make things more equitable.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.
March 6, 2025
As a nonbinary person looking to get a hysterectomy in the future, this book was a fascinating read. And yet I also think than anyone with a uterus would benefit from such a read.
Becker opens the book with a introduction explaining the origins of hysterectomies, when they were first performed, why, and under what conditions. She also takes great care in underlining the different politics that come into play depending on your race or gender identity in getting this procedure and how the racist history of gynecological care impact BIPOC people to this day. She also highlights that around half of the people she interviews are women and around half fall under the transgender umbrella. I felt like this was a diverse study group.
I learned a lot reading this introduction and really appreciated all the caveats and notes given on how getting a hysterectomy differs from people to people.
The book is then divided into five chapters each dealing with a different aspect of the process of getting a hysterectomy. How hard or how easy it can be to get one, how endometriosis and other gyno issues affect the necessarity of the procedure, etc. She uses the interviews she conducted as a starting point for her arguments. She underlines all the different reasons why people might want this procedures, what steps they had to take in order to get it, and how the people who got it feel afterwards.
All in all a very informative book, even if it can feel a little repetitive at some points. It is a short but dense read that I would recomment to anyone interested in the subject, or not, as I feel it is important to learn more about reproductive health options and trans healthcare. As I learned in the book, 1 in 5 people with a uterus will get a hysterectomy before the age of 65, so it is a subject worth discussing.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book
Becker opens the book with a introduction explaining the origins of hysterectomies, when they were first performed, why, and under what conditions. She also takes great care in underlining the different politics that come into play depending on your race or gender identity in getting this procedure and how the racist history of gynecological care impact BIPOC people to this day. She also highlights that around half of the people she interviews are women and around half fall under the transgender umbrella. I felt like this was a diverse study group.
I learned a lot reading this introduction and really appreciated all the caveats and notes given on how getting a hysterectomy differs from people to people.
The book is then divided into five chapters each dealing with a different aspect of the process of getting a hysterectomy. How hard or how easy it can be to get one, how endometriosis and other gyno issues affect the necessarity of the procedure, etc. She uses the interviews she conducted as a starting point for her arguments. She underlines all the different reasons why people might want this procedures, what steps they had to take in order to get it, and how the people who got it feel afterwards.
All in all a very informative book, even if it can feel a little repetitive at some points. It is a short but dense read that I would recomment to anyone interested in the subject, or not, as I feel it is important to learn more about reproductive health options and trans healthcare. As I learned in the book, 1 in 5 people with a uterus will get a hysterectomy before the age of 65, so it is a subject worth discussing.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book
March 31, 2025
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Overall this was a very interesting and informative read. I really appreciated that the author spent time discussing hysterectomies in several contexts and broadening the discussion to include trans and non-white perspectives. This highlighted the inequity and double standard in health care based on race, gender, etc. Intersectionality is not always covered in books on medical history, and it is refreshing that the author put it at the forefront.
The book really took off after the first part, when first-hand accounts were brought into the narrative. The personal stories were incredibly insightful and were well-chosen to give a broad perspective. It's amazing that the inconsistencies in health care are allowed to persist in today's world. The framing of women's health almost solely on reproductive capacity, and ignoring it in almost every other context, is appalling.
A few (small) criticisms... there was a lot of repetition in the book, and I'm not sure if it is by design or due to lax editing. Also, one group of people NOT covered was women seeking hysterectomies for reasons other than treatment of a medical condition or for reasons related to gender identity. There are certainly women who do not have chronic pain/illness who seek hysterectomies as a method of birth control, because they know they never want children, or just to exercise control or agency over their own bodies. Those voices are absent.
Overall this was a very interesting and informative read. I really appreciated that the author spent time discussing hysterectomies in several contexts and broadening the discussion to include trans and non-white perspectives. This highlighted the inequity and double standard in health care based on race, gender, etc. Intersectionality is not always covered in books on medical history, and it is refreshing that the author put it at the forefront.
The book really took off after the first part, when first-hand accounts were brought into the narrative. The personal stories were incredibly insightful and were well-chosen to give a broad perspective. It's amazing that the inconsistencies in health care are allowed to persist in today's world. The framing of women's health almost solely on reproductive capacity, and ignoring it in almost every other context, is appalling.
A few (small) criticisms... there was a lot of repetition in the book, and I'm not sure if it is by design or due to lax editing. Also, one group of people NOT covered was women seeking hysterectomies for reasons other than treatment of a medical condition or for reasons related to gender identity. There are certainly women who do not have chronic pain/illness who seek hysterectomies as a method of birth control, because they know they never want children, or just to exercise control or agency over their own bodies. Those voices are absent.
April 30, 2025
Get It Out is a well-researched and thoughtfully nuanced exploration of the historical and cultural context for hysterectomy.
Andrea Becker uses the lens of medical sociology to deep dive the experience of seeking and having hysterectomies in today’s day and age. She pulls from extensive interviews with cis women and trans and non-binary folks as well as several other sources of quantitative and qualitative data.
I really loved how many stories of trans and non-binary people are featured throughout this book. Becker does a nice job of thoughtfully interweaving their narratives and offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges inherent to those who aren’t cis-women.
For anyone curious about the politics, history, and sociocultural context for hysterectomies, this is a solid read. There are a number of folks in my life who have struggled with endometriosis/adenomyosis or otherwise have had complicated relationships with their uterus and reproductive functioning - I will 100% be recommending this book to them!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and appreciated how readable and compelling the prose was on a topic that could have otherwise felt dry and clinical. This is a compassionate, clear, and well-researched deep dive into a topic that more people ought to know about.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher — I received an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Andrea Becker uses the lens of medical sociology to deep dive the experience of seeking and having hysterectomies in today’s day and age. She pulls from extensive interviews with cis women and trans and non-binary folks as well as several other sources of quantitative and qualitative data.
I really loved how many stories of trans and non-binary people are featured throughout this book. Becker does a nice job of thoughtfully interweaving their narratives and offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges inherent to those who aren’t cis-women.
For anyone curious about the politics, history, and sociocultural context for hysterectomies, this is a solid read. There are a number of folks in my life who have struggled with endometriosis/adenomyosis or otherwise have had complicated relationships with their uterus and reproductive functioning - I will 100% be recommending this book to them!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and appreciated how readable and compelling the prose was on a topic that could have otherwise felt dry and clinical. This is a compassionate, clear, and well-researched deep dive into a topic that more people ought to know about.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher — I received an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.
As someone who got their degree in sociology and anthropology (and took a class on medical anthropology), I found this book fascinating. How is it that society has existed for so long, yet women’s health is only now an emerging research topic? Going into the book, I knew a bit about the struggles of getting a hysterectomy via social media. So nothing in this book was particularly surprising to me. Except for the fact that some doctors suggest pregnancy as a cure. That was very wild for me to learn.
I think the author could have done more research and interviews on people who wanted an hysterectomy but don’t have a medical reason (aka they don’t want children). It mostly focuses on people who have endo, cysts, severe pain, or some other medical reason AND people who are transgender/nonbinary/etc. who are doing it for gender affirming care (but a lot of them also have some sort of medical reason).
I also think some perspectives from medical experts in the field or even researchers would have strengthened her argument. For example, since hysterectomies are so common and relatively safe, what are doctors learning in medical school that makes them hesitate to perform this kind of surgery? Is it the way they’re taught or is it a social thing?
Either way, I think this book was really fascinating to read. It’s also 200 ish pages, so it’s a relatively short read.
As someone who got their degree in sociology and anthropology (and took a class on medical anthropology), I found this book fascinating. How is it that society has existed for so long, yet women’s health is only now an emerging research topic? Going into the book, I knew a bit about the struggles of getting a hysterectomy via social media. So nothing in this book was particularly surprising to me. Except for the fact that some doctors suggest pregnancy as a cure. That was very wild for me to learn.
I think the author could have done more research and interviews on people who wanted an hysterectomy but don’t have a medical reason (aka they don’t want children). It mostly focuses on people who have endo, cysts, severe pain, or some other medical reason AND people who are transgender/nonbinary/etc. who are doing it for gender affirming care (but a lot of them also have some sort of medical reason).
I also think some perspectives from medical experts in the field or even researchers would have strengthened her argument. For example, since hysterectomies are so common and relatively safe, what are doctors learning in medical school that makes them hesitate to perform this kind of surgery? Is it the way they’re taught or is it a social thing?
Either way, I think this book was really fascinating to read. It’s also 200 ish pages, so it’s a relatively short read.
September 2, 2025
Read this in support of a friend, and what an informative and inclusive book. It's tremendous that, of Becker's sample size of 100 interviewees, 54 were cis women, 24 were trans men, and 22 were nonbinary people - and this commitment to inclusive analysis and story-sharing was present throughout. Bravo.
For such a common procedure, reasons to pursue it are varied and overlapping and disparate, and it seemed to me that all three identity groups could read this book and feel respected, included, and heard.
On that, my only critique would be cover design: it's hard to imagine trans men or nonbinary people feeling comfortable picking up a pink book with a big uterus on the cover - seems the designer had a cis women-specific audience in mind, which could cost the book more than a few readers. Design is out of the author's control usually, though, so for everything beyond the cover, 5/5.
For such a common procedure, reasons to pursue it are varied and overlapping and disparate, and it seemed to me that all three identity groups could read this book and feel respected, included, and heard.
On that, my only critique would be cover design: it's hard to imagine trans men or nonbinary people feeling comfortable picking up a pink book with a big uterus on the cover - seems the designer had a cis women-specific audience in mind, which could cost the book more than a few readers. Design is out of the author's control usually, though, so for everything beyond the cover, 5/5.
October 14, 2025
An interesting and informative exploration of the history, psychology, and social dynamics of hysterectomies. This book looks at women, typically White, who want hysterectomies and may have a hard time convincing doctors to 'allow' them to obtain this surgery, women who were forced or pressured to get this surgery, typically non-White and often poor, and trans/non-binary people who have had access to hysterectomy surgery. Along with this central topic, this book also looks at how patents receive different care depending on how their doctors perceive them, especially interesting in the cases of trans people who found they were listened to more and patronized less as they became more masculine. And, this book addresses the changes in how assertive patients are with their doctors, which can help women to get the treatment they need and want. While not an exhaustive book, it is worth reading for its insights on sex, gender and our society.
April 10, 2025
I think this book was just a bit different than I was expecting. It very much reads like a medical journal or long-form academic article. It's pretty dry in places, even if the information is well-researched. I did find all of her points to be interesting and thought-provoking, and her ability to remain unbiased was impressive. However, the introduction makes up a large part of the book, and it drags on. It also served to make the book much more repetitive, since much of the info discussed later on in the book had already been referenced in the beginning. I also don't think it's necessary to outline what every section is going to cover; this just added to the repetition. Overall, this is an incredibly important topic, but it might have been better as an article or represented as a more academic-style book.
*Free ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
*Free ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
April 1, 2025
This isn't a book I would usually pick to read but I'm currently going thru this process now with my doctors. I wanted to get some more background I could use to discuss with them and this book was a good way to do that for me. The author goes into stories, facts and the politics of wanting a hysterectomy. It was laid out in an easy-to-read format for someone who wouldn't normally read these kinds of books. I found it informative and I'm glad to know that there are others that are having the same battle as myself. I would definitely recommend this book if you were thinking of having a hysterectomy.
March 24, 2025
Ugh, I really wanted something different from this book. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of good and interesting stuff in here! But it's fundamentally an academic text, so the writing is dense, jargon-y, and more than a little repetitive. I'd love to have a more accessible (and by that I mean writing aimed at a wider, non-academic audience) book that brings the issues around hysterectomy to more people. I learned a little about the history of hysterectomy and modern inequalities of access, but everything felt like an overview rather than a deep dive (which I would have preferred).
May 15, 2025
It's absolutely wild that the only other sociological study of hysterectomies is titled AM I STILL A WOMAN? Andréa Becker does a great job of bringing our understanding of the politics of hysterectomy into the modern age. I especially appreciate her balanced perspectives on the differing experiences of BIPOC folks, trans men, and nonbinary people seeking hysterectomies. And more than just sharing the horror stories, Becker offers advise to patients and hope for a better future.
October 9, 2025
This was a really great comprehensive social commentary about the politics of hysterectomy. The only thing I would wish to change about this book is to also include that getting a hysterectomy isn't always as easy for women of color as this book suggests and often our pain and symptoms are ignored or dismissed.
Sincerely,
A woman of color suffering from endometriosis who has had to fight for so damn long.
Sincerely,
A woman of color suffering from endometriosis who has had to fight for so damn long.
March 7, 2025
Well done! This is an important topic that needs discussion. Given the politicization of women's bodies, this book addresses obstacles faced by women well. As someone with endometriosis, this book addressed so many barriers and the way you can get treated in a doctor's office depending on your age/SES/etc.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
July 7, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and NYU Press for the eARC!
I wish the entire book had been written as well as the Introduction was. I think Becker has the foundation for a truly excellent book, but I didn't think she used her interviews to the fullest extent.
Don't get me wrong, I think this book is still really helpful, especially for people considering a hysterectomy. It felt a little unfinished, but is still an interesting and timely read.
I wish the entire book had been written as well as the Introduction was. I think Becker has the foundation for a truly excellent book, but I didn't think she used her interviews to the fullest extent.
Don't get me wrong, I think this book is still really helpful, especially for people considering a hysterectomy. It felt a little unfinished, but is still an interesting and timely read.
April 3, 2025
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook.
I was excited to read this book. I was looking fke something that is informative. But this was disappointing. It speaks a lot on tbe Trans and may community who wans a hysterectomy ... just very disappointing
I was excited to read this book. I was looking fke something that is informative. But this was disappointing. It speaks a lot on tbe Trans and may community who wans a hysterectomy ... just very disappointing
July 9, 2025
This book is perfection. As someone who was denied care for so many years and eventually did have a hysterectomy, this book makes me feel seen and understand what was happening to me as I navigated this really hard chapter of life. I’m really grateful for the author’s perspective.
July 15, 2025
At Andrea's book launch last night, I learned that trans health care is older than the invention of modern antibiotics. Andrea's book is a fascinating look into the ties between trans health care and women's health care and how equity and research in both will save more lives.
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