The Makings of a Modern Epidemic: Endometriosis, Gender and Politics

by Kate Seear

Since its ’discovery’ some 150 years ago, thinking about endometriosis has changed. With current estimates identifying it as more common than breast and ovarian cancer, this chronic, incurable gynaecological condition has emerged as a ’modern epidemic’, distinctive in being perhaps the only global epidemic peculiar to women. This timely book addresses the scholarly neglect of endometriosis by the social sciences, offering a critical assessment of one of the world’s most common - and burdensome - health problems for women. Drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives, including science and technology studies, feminist theory and queer theory, The Makings of a Modern Epidemic explores the symbolic, discursive and material dimensions of the condition. It demonstrates how shifts in thinking about gender, the body, race, modernity and philosophies of health have shaped the epidemic, and produces a compelling account of endometriosis as a highly politicised and grossly neglected disease. Drawing upon rich empirical data, including in-depth interviews with women who have endometriosis and medical and self-help literature, this ground-breaking volume will appeal to scholars and students across the social sciences with interests in gender studies, science and technology studies and the sociology and anthropology of medicine, health and the body.

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so grateful for every social science approach to endometriosis. I hope this is something my own dissertation can learn from and build on.

[Inês · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read so far on endometriosis, and the only developed critical analysis I've encountered of it (as of yet). The author, Kate Seear, gave words and form to many of my own thoughts and feelings regarding the construction of the endometriosis disease object and the endometrioc subject, with plenty of references to pursue further readings. I will undoubtedly be coming back to this book many more times in the future, while I plan and conduct my own research on this matter.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an insightful overview and critique of overlooked concepts relating to endometriosis, women’s health, and “self-care”/self-help literature