Sex matters : how male-centric medicine endangers women's health and what we can do about it

Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-223) and index.

Exposes that all medical models -- in research and practice -- are male-centric and shows how the biological, biochemical, psychological, and neurological differences between men and women affect issues such as preventative care, emergency care, drug prescriptions, and pain management. Also looks at how race, class, and gender identity are disproportionately affected by this.

Sex Matters tackles one of the most urgent, yet unspoken issues facing women's health care today: all models of medical research and practice are based on male-centric models that ignore the unique biological and emotional differences between men and women - an omission that endangers women's lives. Leading expert on sex and gender medicine Dr Alyson McGregor focuses on the key areas where these differences are most potentially harmful, addressing:

· Cardiac and stroke diagnosis and treatment in women;
· Prescription and dosing of pharmaceuticals;
· Subjective evaluation of women's symptoms;
· Pain and pain management;
· Hormones and female biochemistry (including prescribed hormones);
· How economic status, race, and gender identity are additional critical factors.

Not only does Dr McGregor explore these disparities in depth, she shares clear, practical suggestions for what we can do. This book is an empowering roadmap for reinventing modern medicine - and for self-care.