Eliminate the Word "Hysterectomy" from Medicine - It Is a Sign of Ingrained Sexism.
The Issue
The word Hysterectomy is one of the most disturbingly sexist words in current use by a vast majority of doctors and gynecologists in the English speaking world.
The words we use matter. They shape our attitudes and perceptions of the world – and by extension our actions and critical thinking abilities.
When words are used that are intrinsically demeaning or derogatory, it becomes difficult to take seriously what must be taken seriously.
Think of when American people of African origin where labeled with the racist words, “Nigger” or “Colored” – these labels were accepted as normal and acceptable. History speaks to what atrocities occur when our language is used to deride, diminish and humiliate.
Our words can set the stage for either careless discrimination, weakness, and atrocity or for thoughtful inclusion, introspection and strength.
In the world of Women’s Health and Gynecology a disturbingly sexist word is in current use by most high level professionals and leaders. The word is Hysterectomy. It is a word that has been "normalized" in American medicine – and it is as corrosive and dismissive as any other such normalized term in the history of language.
Hysterectomy is a medical word used to describe the surgical removal (i.e., -ectomy) of a woman’s uterus. Its origin goes back to a terrible and sexist time in history when the female reproductive organs were thought to be the cause of "Hysteria" - Thus, the term Hyster-ectomy.
Hysterectomy is, therefore, a profoundly sexist and unacceptable term in a society and profession that claims to have rejected sexism. But somehow this word has been normalized and is in wide use by very well educated people.
Most women, themselves use the term without even a second thought. And the vast majority of gynecologists don’t see the disturbed degree of sexism in their language – most would state that this single word is not relevant to their practice, or to the care of women.
But I ask you, reader, to consider whether elimination of words like “Nigger” or “colored” from our society's common vocabulary was of any relevance to the abolition of slavery or the Civil Rights Movement?
Certainly, the gynecological organizations and the American Medical Association, which set the standards of practice and language for practitioners, do not seem visibly perturbed or conflicted by the use of this term, Hysterectomy - Its use continues unquestioned.
This public petition is directed at the leaders of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), American Association of Gynecologic laparoscopists (AAGL), Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), European Society of Gynecology (ESG), the American Medical Association (AMA), and members of the United States congress.
The demand in clear and concise: Issue a guideline to all practitioners, formally abolishing the word “Hysterectomy” from medicine - replace it with the correct and appropriate term “Uterine Resection”.
In Loving Memory of Amy J. Reed MD, PhD: Mother, Doctor, Defender of Women.
The Issue
The word Hysterectomy is one of the most disturbingly sexist words in current use by a vast majority of doctors and gynecologists in the English speaking world.
The words we use matter. They shape our attitudes and perceptions of the world – and by extension our actions and critical thinking abilities.
When words are used that are intrinsically demeaning or derogatory, it becomes difficult to take seriously what must be taken seriously.
Think of when American people of African origin where labeled with the racist words, “Nigger” or “Colored” – these labels were accepted as normal and acceptable. History speaks to what atrocities occur when our language is used to deride, diminish and humiliate.
Our words can set the stage for either careless discrimination, weakness, and atrocity or for thoughtful inclusion, introspection and strength.
In the world of Women’s Health and Gynecology a disturbingly sexist word is in current use by most high level professionals and leaders. The word is Hysterectomy. It is a word that has been "normalized" in American medicine – and it is as corrosive and dismissive as any other such normalized term in the history of language.
Hysterectomy is a medical word used to describe the surgical removal (i.e., -ectomy) of a woman’s uterus. Its origin goes back to a terrible and sexist time in history when the female reproductive organs were thought to be the cause of "Hysteria" - Thus, the term Hyster-ectomy.
Hysterectomy is, therefore, a profoundly sexist and unacceptable term in a society and profession that claims to have rejected sexism. But somehow this word has been normalized and is in wide use by very well educated people.
Most women, themselves use the term without even a second thought. And the vast majority of gynecologists don’t see the disturbed degree of sexism in their language – most would state that this single word is not relevant to their practice, or to the care of women.
But I ask you, reader, to consider whether elimination of words like “Nigger” or “colored” from our society's common vocabulary was of any relevance to the abolition of slavery or the Civil Rights Movement?
Certainly, the gynecological organizations and the American Medical Association, which set the standards of practice and language for practitioners, do not seem visibly perturbed or conflicted by the use of this term, Hysterectomy - Its use continues unquestioned.
This public petition is directed at the leaders of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), American Association of Gynecologic laparoscopists (AAGL), Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), European Society of Gynecology (ESG), the American Medical Association (AMA), and members of the United States congress.
The demand in clear and concise: Issue a guideline to all practitioners, formally abolishing the word “Hysterectomy” from medicine - replace it with the correct and appropriate term “Uterine Resection”.
In Loving Memory of Amy J. Reed MD, PhD: Mother, Doctor, Defender of Women.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on June 5, 2017