Health & Sexuality Infowomen's health historyExplore women's health history content Filters Filter women's health history Content Filter by topic Abortion Abortion (Self-Managed) Abortion Access Abortion Pills Abortion Restrictions Activism Ageism Aging Anatomy Artistic Expression Bipoc (Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color) Birth Birth Justice Black / African American Breastfeeding Caregiving Childbirth Choices Contraception Culture Discrimination Doula Families Feminism Friendship Gender Expansive Gender-Based Violence Government Growing Older International Lgbtqia+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, And Asexual) Menstrual Cycle Menstrual Products Mental Health Midwife Native Peoples Our Bodies Ourselves History Patriarchy Pelvic Pain Pregnancy & Birth Public Policy Racism Reproductive Justice Sex Education Sexism Sexual Anatomies & Sexual Health Sexual Violence Sexualities, Gender, And Relationships Shame Solo Sex Sterilization Stories & Conversations Therapy (Psychotherapy) Vagina Filter by theme Birth Care Providers Birth Justice Bodies Growing Older Breastfeeding / Chestfeeding Communities Of Color & Experiences Of Violence Confronting Ageism Destigmatizing The Menstrual Cycle First Year Of Parenting Getting To Know Our Sexual Anatomy History & Politics Of Abortion History & Politics Of Contraception Solo Sex Taking Care Of Our Mental Health Show 19 Results Clear All The LatestReadBoston Public Library Digitizes the Earliest “Our Bodies, Ourselves” Books Thanks to a digitization project completed by Special Collections at the Boston Public Library, the very first versions of “Our Bodies, Ourselves” are now available on Digital Commonwealth, a free, open-access site. Thanks to a digitization project completed by Special Collections at the Boston Public Library, the very first versions of “Our Bodies, Ourselves” are now available on Digital Commonwealth, a free, open-access site. ResourcesReadThe History of Abortion Law in the United States Abortions occur whether they are legal or not, but the right to abortion has been both supported and contested over time. This essay traces key state and federal laws and Supreme Court rulings and their effects throughout U.S. history. Abortions occur whether they are legal or not, but the right to abortion has been both supported and contested over time. This essay traces key state and federal laws and Supreme Court rulings and their effects throughout U.S. history. ResourcesWatchAbortion and Women's Rights in 1970: A Film In 1971, when abortion was illegal in all but a few states, a group of women came together to make a documentary film. The film they made was the first from the perspective of women who had had or sought an abortion. In 1971, when abortion was illegal in all but a few states, a group of women came together to make a documentary film. The film they made was the first from the perspective of women who had had or sought an abortion. ResourcesReadThe Historical Significance of Black Doulas and Midwives This blog post, from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, celebrates the unsung work of African American birth workers, including doulas and midwives. This blog post, from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, celebrates the unsung work of African American birth workers, including doulas and midwives. ResourcesListenLove and Labor: The History of African American Birth Care Providers This podcast episode from Sexing History explores the history of advocacy of Black doulas, midwives, and other birth attendants. This podcast episode from Sexing History explores the history of advocacy of Black doulas, midwives, and other birth attendants. ResourcesReadBlack Midwives Through Time This timeline, developed by Black midwife Shafia Monroe, provides a brief overview of the long history of Black midwives, from the Biblical Shiphrah and Puah in approximately 1500 BCE. This timeline, developed by Black midwife Shafia Monroe, provides a brief overview of the long history of Black midwives, from the Biblical Shiphrah and Puah in approximately 1500 BCE. ResourcesReadThe Racist Legacy of "Feminine Care" Products The complex racist (and misogynist) history of vulvar and vaginal douches, sprays, and washes, as well as racial disparities in their use today The complex racist (and misogynist) history of vulvar and vaginal douches, sprays, and washes, as well as racial disparities in their use today ResourcesReadNew Monument Honors "Mothers of Gynecology"" Artist Michelle Browder honors Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy and other unnamed enslaved women who suffered as the unwilling subjects of gynecological experiments. Artist Michelle Browder honors Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy and other unnamed enslaved women who suffered as the unwilling subjects of gynecological experiments. ResourcesReadThe Hysterectomy in U.S. History and Today Article on the history of the hysterectomy as a means of both oppression and liberation. Article on the history of the hysterectomy as a means of both oppression and liberation. ResourcesListenMedical History of Vibrators This episode of the Maintenance Phase podcast explores the medical history of vibrators. This episode of the Maintenance Phase podcast explores the medical history of vibrators. ResourcesReadA Brief History of Birth Control in the U.S. A history of birth control in the U.S., from condoms made from fish bladders thousands of years ago to court decisions that limit and expand who has access. A history of birth control in the U.S., from condoms made from fish bladders thousands of years ago to court decisions that limit and expand who has access. ResourcesLookA Brief History of Periods/Vagina Museum Period Exhibition Print Illustrator Hazel Mead created A Brief History of Periods to teach about menstruation throughout history. Illustrator Hazel Mead created A Brief History of Periods to teach about menstruation throughout history. 1 2