HONOLULU (KHON2) — In 1925, only 100 years ago, there were several healthcare topics and practices that were illegal or highly restricted for women to learn about in the United States.
These restrictions reflected the legal norms of the time, as well as the limited access to healthcare and education for women.
It was hard fought to be able to gain access to knowledge about our own bodies, one that cannot be taken for granted.
KHON2.com did a bit of digging to find out what types of healthcare issues women could be arrested, imprisoned and possibly institutionalized for knowing, or wanting to know.
1. Birth control
The Comstock Act of 1873 made it illegal to distribute any information about birth control or contraception. This included classes, support groups, books, pamphlets and even contraceptive devices.
It was a criminal offense to provide women with knowledge about family planning, and women seeking such information or services were often left without support.
2. Abortion
While abortion was sometimes legally allowed in the early stages of pregnancy for certain medical reasons, by the late 19th century, most states had passed laws making abortion illegal, particularly after quickening (the first noticeable movements of the fetus).
Discussing or obtaining an abortion was illegal; and women were often forced to turn to dangerous, unsafe methods if they sought to terminate a pregnancy.
3. Menstruation
Menstruation was a taboo subject, and women were often not educated about it in any scientific manner. Menstrual health was poorly understood, and there was a lack of formal education for women regarding their own reproductive health.
Many women didn’t have access to information about menstrual hygiene and health practices.
4. Sexual health
Information about women’s sexual health was largely unavailable. Women were rarely informed about the biological aspects of their sexual health, such as sexually transmitted infections, pelvic health and reproductive anatomy.
There was little understanding or education about the physical aspects of female sexuality and well-being.
5. Sexual pleasure
The idea of a woman’s sexual pleasure was almost entirely ignored. Discussions about female sexuality were considered inappropriate or even immoral, and the notion of sexual pleasure for women was not part of the public discourse.
Women were often kept ignorant about the biological and psychological aspects of their sexual desires and needs.
For a period of time, women who experienced orgasms were sent to mental institutions since experiencing an orgasm was considered a mental health issue, an unhealthy one. These women were subjected to electroshock therapy and forced sexual encounters to study the “hysteria” they were experiencing.
6. Sexually transmitted infections/diseases
There was little education or awareness about sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STI/Ds), especially as they affected women.
Women were not informed about the risks of contracting sexually linked diseases, such as syphilis or gonorrhea. This was often seen as a shameful issue which made it difficult for women to get the medical help they needed.
7. Hysterectomies
The medical profession often treated women’s reproductive issues as “hysteria” or psychological problems. As a result, many women were subjected to unnecessary hysterectomies (removal of the uterus), often under the belief that their mental health or behavior problems were caused by sexual or reproductive issues.
This practice reflected the limited understanding of women’s health at the time, and more often than not were perpetrated again women of color.
8. Reproductive health
Women’s reproductive health was often neglected or misunderstood. Medical knowledge about various reproductive issues, such as infertility or pelvic diseases, was limited; and women were often given minimal or incorrect medical advice.
Many reproductive conditions went undiagnosed, and treatments were often invasive or misguided.
9. Postpartum health
Postpartum care and understanding of women’s health after childbirth were poorly addressed. Many women had little to no access to information about proper postpartum care. This included breastfeeding, mental health and recovery from childbirth, which contributed to high rates of maternal mortality.
10. Women’s access to medical training
It was illegal or highly restricted for women to attend medical school or obtain medical degrees. Even if they did, many women faced enormous societal and professional barriers to practice medicine or gain advanced medical knowledge.
This restriction meant that women often had to rely on male physicians who may have been dismissive of their health concerns.
11. Menopause and aging
Menopause and the changes that come with aging were rarely discussed openly, and there was little to no medical advice or treatment for women experiencing these stages of life.
Women were often left without support or guidance about menopause and the physical changes associated with aging.
12. Informed consent
In many cases, women did not have control over their own medical decisions, especially in matters related to reproductive health.
They were often not given proper informed consent before undergoing medical treatments, surgeries, experiments or procedures, especially if these involved reproductive organs.
These restrictions reflect the broader societal norms of the time, where women had limited access to education, healthcare and the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies.
The fight for women’s rights, including access to healthcare, has continued for the many, many decades since ….