Ask Me About My Uterus audiobook cover - A Quest to Make Doctors Believe in Women's Pain

Ask Me About My Uterus

A Quest to Make Doctors Believe in Women's Pain

Abby Norman

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Health & Nutrition

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Ask Me About My Uterus
Abby's Personal Journey+
Endometriosis Science+
Medical Sexism & Gaslighting+
Advocacy & Community+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9
Why did Abby Norman initially delay seeking medical help when she first experienced excruciating pain?
  • A. She assumed it was just a normal, albeit severe, menstrual cramp.
  • B. She was terrified of racking up medical debt because she lacked adequate health insurance.
  • C. Her college health center advised her to wait a week to see if the symptoms passed.
  • D. She was researching her symptoms online and wanted to self-diagnose first.
Question 2 of 9
When Abby's gynecologist performed exploratory surgery and found a large ovarian cyst, why didn't the doctor remove the affected ovary?
  • A. The doctor prioritized preserving Abby's potential fertility over stopping her severe pain.
  • B. The hospital lacked the specialized surgical equipment needed to safely remove the ovary.
  • C. The doctor believed the cyst would naturally dissolve with the help of antibiotics.
  • D. The doctor did not have Abby's legal consent to remove any reproductive organs.
Question 3 of 9
What is John Sampson's 1920s theory regarding the cause of endometriosis?
  • A. It is caused by an overproduction of estrogen in the ovaries during puberty.
  • B. It is a psychosomatic response triggered by severe emotional trauma or stress.
  • C. It is the result of menstrual liquid backwashing out of the uterus and into the pelvic cavity.
  • D. It occurs when ovarian cysts rupture and spread uterine tissue throughout the body.
Question 4 of 9
Which of the following pieces of evidence directly challenges John Sampson's theory of endometriosis?
  • A. Endometriosis has primarily been found in women over the age of 40.
  • B. Endometriosis tissue is fundamentally different from the tissue lining the uterus.
  • C. Endometriosis has been proven to be an entirely genetic condition in recent studies.
  • D. Patches of endometriosis have been found in the pelvises of fetuses, which do not menstruate.
Question 5 of 9
Why does the author include the story of comedian Gilda Radner?
  • A. To show how wealthy and famous individuals receive preferential medical treatment.
  • B. To illustrate the tragic history of doctors dismissing women's physical diseases as mental illnesses or anxiety.
  • C. To highlight how untreated endometriosis will inevitably lead to to ovarian cancer.
  • D. To demonstrate that alternative therapies and antidepressants are effective for reproductive diseases.
Question 6 of 9
What finally prompted Abby's gynecologist to take her complaints of painful sex seriously and offer various treatments?
  • A. Abby provided a detailed daily pain journal that medically documented her symptoms.
  • B. Abby threatened to sue the medical practice for malpractice and negligence.
  • C. A new ultrasound clearly revealed the exact location of the endometriosis tissue.
  • D. Abby's boyfriend accompanied her and expressed his own sexual frustration to the doctor.
Question 7 of 9
According to a 2001 study published in the Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics, how did the treatment of men and women differ after heart bypass operations?
  • A. Women were frequently given sedatives because they were viewed as anxious, while men were given painkillers.
  • B. Women were kept in the hospital for observation twice as long as men.
  • C. Men were given physical therapy immediately, while women were advised strict bed rest.
  • D. Women were given significantly higher doses of painkillers than men to account for body-size differences.
Question 8 of 9
What was a primary reason given by researchers in a 2011 British Journal of Sports Medicine report for excluding women from sports and exercise studies?
  • A. Women were considered too physically fragile for the exercise trials.
  • B. Researchers decided that menstruation made women too 'complex' to study.
  • C. Women were unable to commit to the long-term schedules required for the studies.
  • D. Researchers believed women's pain tolerance would skew the data.
Question 9 of 9
What is 'Ask Me About My Uterus' in the context of the book?
  • A. A nonprofit organization that funds scientific research to cure endometriosis.
  • B. A legal defense fund to help women sue doctors for medical malpractice.
  • C. An online community and forum established by Abby Norman to give women a voice regarding their reproductive health.
  • D. A telemedicine platform connecting women with specialized gynecologists worldwide.

Ask Me About My Uterus — Full Chapter Overview

Ask Me About My Uterus Summary & Overview

Ask Me About My Uterus (2018) explores one woman’s struggle with endometriosis. Shining a light on the devastating impact of this little-understood disease, these blinks also explore the sexism of the healthcare industry, which often compounds patients’ suffering. Drawing on personal experience and delving into scientific research, Ask Me About My Uterus explores the painful intersection of sickness and inequality.

Who Should Listen to Ask Me About My Uterus?

  • Women suffering from endometriosis
  • Healthcare professionals seeking a fresh perspective
  • Feminists looking for new insights

About the Author: Abby Norman

Abby Norman is a science writer who also hosts a podcast called Let Me Google That. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, Paste Magazine and Medium. As an advocate for patients with endometriosis, she has also spoken at conferences hosted by the Endometriosis Foundation of America, as well as at Stanford University's Medicine X conference.

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