Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Episode: Hysterectomies: 2000 Years of Care & Coercion
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Host/Author: Kate Lister
Guest: Eleanor Cleghorn, Author of Unwell Woman

In this compelling episode of Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society, host Kate Lister teams up with historian Eleanor Cleghorn to explore the intricate and often troubling history of hysterectomies. Spanning over two millennia, their conversation delves into the medical, societal, and ethical dimensions of this pivotal surgical procedure.

1. Introduction to Hysterectomy

Kate Lister kicks off the episode with a candid introduction, preparing listeners for a deep dive into the history of the hysterectomy. She sets the tone by highlighting the procedure's gruesome aspects and its profound impact on women's lives.

"Today is actually a bit of a spicy one. We are looking at the history of the Hysterectomy." — Kate Lister [02:01]

2. Early Records: Ancient Rome

Eleanor Cleghorn takes listeners back to ancient Rome, where one of the earliest references to hysterectomy is found. She discusses Seronis, a Greek physician who practiced in Rome, detailing the rudimentary and perilous nature of early surgeries.

"A physician practicing in ancient Rome was not going through the abdominal route and making a lovely clean incision. Let's call him an opportunistic hysterectomy performer." — Eleanor Cleghorn [14:22]

3. The 17th Century Case: Faith Raworth

The conversation shifts to the 17th century, highlighting the extraordinary and desperate case of Faith Raworth. Cleghorn recounts how Faith performed a self-administered hysterectomy in her garden to alleviate her suffering, showcasing the extreme measures women took in the absence of effective medical care.

"She shoves it back in there and it keeps falling out again... she simply had it, lies down, draws it forward, so pulls out and lops it off." — Eleanor Cleghorn [23:35]

4. 19th Century Developments: Rise of Gynecology

Moving into the 19th century, Cleghorn explains how hysterectomy became more common with the advent of gynecology as a specialized field. However, the procedure was fraught with high mortality rates, often due to infections and lack of anesthesia.

"Before the introduction of antiseptics and carbolic spray, hysterectomies carried a 7 in 10 mortality rate." — Eleanor Cleghorn [27:50]

5. Eugenics Movement and Forced Sterilizations

A significant portion of the episode examines the dark period of the eugenics movement, where hysterectomies were used as tools for forced sterilization. Cleghorn discusses how marginalized women, particularly Black, Native, and Indigenous women, were subjected to non-consensual surgeries under the guise of medical necessity.

"There were state-sponsored sterilization programs... targeting black, native and indigenous women." — Eleanor Cleghorn [37:29]

6. Modern Perspectives: Access and Autonomy

In contemporary times, the episode addresses ongoing challenges women face in accessing hysterectomies. Cleghorn highlights issues such as long waiting lists, economic barriers, and the paternalistic attitudes of medical professionals that continue to impede women's autonomy over their reproductive health.

"Women who really want electively HRT are finding that there are barriers and obstacles to having that." — Eleanor Cleghorn [44:29]

7. Gender Affirming Care: Hysterectomy in Trans Healthcare

The discussion extends to the role of hysterectomy in gender-affirming care for transgender men. Cleghorn emphasizes the importance of the procedure for autonomy and identity affirmation while noting the significant barriers in accessing such care.

"The WHO recommends hysterectomy in terms of gender affirming care... access to that kind of care is incredibly difficult." — Eleanor Cleghorn [49:19]

8. Ethical Considerations and Conclusion

Wrapping up, the hosts underscore the critical need for informed consent and respect for women's choices regarding their bodies. Kate Lister reflects on the enduring societal narratives that diminish women's autonomy, urging for greater recognition and support for women's reproductive rights.

"Women are still primarily seen as reproductive material... we are always seeing that we as women have to put ourselves second to that hypothetical husband, that hypothetical child." — Kate Lister [44:54]

Notable Quotes:

• "A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus or womb." — Eleanor Cleghorn [06:34]

• "She kept shoving it back in there and it keeps falling out again... she simply had it, lies down, draws it forward, so pulls out and lops it off." — Eleanor Cleghorn [23:35]

• "There were state-sponsored sterilization programs... targeting black, native and indigenous women." — Eleanor Cleghorn [37:29]

• "Women who really want electively HRT are finding that there are barriers and obstacles to having that." — Eleanor Cleghorn [44:29]

• "The WHO recommends hysterectomy in terms of gender affirming care... access to that kind of care is incredibly difficult." — Eleanor Cleghorn [49:19]

• "Women are still primarily seen as reproductive material... we are always seeing that we as women have to put ourselves second to that hypothetical husband, that hypothetical child." — Kate Lister [44:54]

Final Thoughts:

This episode of Betwixt the Sheets offers a profound and often unsettling exploration of the hysterectomy's place in medical history and its lasting impact on women's lives. Through meticulous research and candid discussion, Kate Lister and Eleanor Cleghorn illuminate the intersection of medicine, gender, and societal control, urging listeners to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that remain in ensuring women's autonomy over their bodies.