Is the 'biological clock' just one big scam?
How does it feel to be called hostile?
What about barren? Inhospitable? Geriatric? These are all words women over the age of 35 have heard in doctor's offices for decades to describe their reproductive health as they explore options for childbirth. The terminology has been changing, but for some, not quickly enough. When the culture is pushing for more humane ways to talk about women's bodies, how long will it take modern medicine to catch up? Brittany talks with Rachel E. Gross, author of Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage to understand what the use of these words reveal about our cultural expectations of pregnant people.
Want more on the culture of women’s health? Check out these episodes:
Sex is pleasurable. It should feel safe too.
The key to thriving later in life: menopause
Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.
Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluse
For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
What about barren? Inhospitable? Geriatric? These are all words women over the age of 35 have heard in doctor's offices for decades to describe their reproductive health as they explore options for childbirth. The terminology has been changing, but for some, not quickly enough. When the culture is pushing for more humane ways to talk about women's bodies, how long will it take modern medicine to catch up? Brittany talks with Rachel E. Gross, author of Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage to understand what the use of these words reveal about our cultural expectations of pregnant people.
Want more on the culture of women’s health? Check out these episodes:
Sex is pleasurable. It should feel safe too.
The key to thriving later in life: menopause
Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.
Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluse
For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
You May Also Like

Les Nuits de France Culture
France Culture
The Documentary Podcast
BBC World Service

Ça peut vous arriver
RTL

Money Making Conversations Master Class
Rushion McDonald

Thomas Paine Podcast
mike moore

Thrilling Threads - Conspiracy Theories, Strange Phenomena, Unsolved Mysteries, etc!
Byte & Pieces

Affaires sensibles
JEROME GUEDON

The Vince Everett Ellison Show
Media Squatch

The Daily Horoscope
The Daily Horoscope

Rogue Energy
iHeartPodcasts
Community discussion