Hey Siri, define "medical misogyny"
Then tell me where I can buy a gift-wrapped Geiger counter...
Some astonishing news this week: Apple has confirmed all women who menstruate are not hysterical liars. Turns out, women actually DO have menstrual cramps along with a range of other symptoms such as bloating and tiredness. Which leaves us wondering, has anyone ever spoken to a woman? Or are women only listened to when the bleedin’ obvious is reported through a smartphone app? (We’ve contacted Apple to see if they'll do a similar study on whether water is wet, but at time of writing they had not responded.)
We suppose we should give props that SOMEONE did it, since menstruation and women’s health is chronically understudied and we’re grateful for the hard data. But it begs the question, how many other things that affect half the population aren't being studied? Good job the government is looking into the gender health gap, because it's a lot to expect from poor old Siri.
Anyway, news brought via hag always trumps news via your smartwatch. Would it tell you about big stone vulvas, or kick-arse mums protecting their kids from nuclear fallout? Nah, thought not. Ditch the watch, summon your big vagina energy and read on...
TIT BITS
Keeping abreast of the latest news, views, and research
Mums get shit done
Whatever your mum is expecting for Mother’s Day 2021, it probably isn’t a Geiger counter. In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, mums were worried about radiation and what foods they could safely feed their children (and we thought the organic baby food debate was bad). This group of concerned women – most of whom had no background in science – decided to do something about it, and set up a non-profit organization and laboratory to measure radiation levels themselves. They named their lab Tarachine, which means “mothers”.
Could breast test put minds at rest?
Finding BRCA mutations can be a real “oh, shit” moment for women and push some – see Angelina Jolie – into making difficult decisions. But although having BRCA mutations increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, it’s not a foregone conclusion, and now, new findings suggest it may be possible to monitor whether cancer will develop in breast cells way before the tumour stage. It’s early days, but researchers hope that one day a simple blood test could inform treatment decisions, and – frankly – stop women having to freak the fuck out.
Taking a crack at misogyny
Considering women now cancel smear tests if their hedges aren’t trimmed, it’s hard to imagine having a “flabby, big” vulva topping any woman’s wishlist. But during the last year, Irish feminists have reclaimed ‘sheela na gigs’– stone fertility symbols with enlarged genitalia – as representations of female sexuality, and have snuck them into significant locations around Dublin (the Magdalene laundries, for one). Take a look: it might be the only time you find yourself saying, “my, what beautifully glazed labia…”
TO THE KRAKEN 🦑
Happy Fragile Men Get Eaten Day!
Is it even International Women’s Day (IWD) without some annoying men asking "what about the meennn"? (There is a men’s day. It’s in November. Look it up, Steve). Our resident tentacled terror would also like to remind everyone that as per the gender health gap, most days are men’s days. Ms K suggests that instead of complaining on the internet, you try supporting the amazing women in your life. Calling your mum might be a start, Steve. The next person to ask why there isn’t a male equivalent to IWD will be facing the briny depths like a man. Well, more like a hapless minnow.
However, comedian Richard Herring gets token honourable man mention for schooling these idiots while raising a whopping amount of money for charity. Ms K says she’ll fish you out some deep sea treasure from one of the thousands of wrecks littering her floor.
WOMAN OF THE WEEK
Is this what a feminist looks like?
Phoebs the cat, honorary member of HEX, gets a special shout out today. She was rushed to the vets yesterday for a sizable wound, which the vet says “is probably from scrapping with boys”. Thanks for fighting the good fight, Phoebs.
More things glazing our labia this week:
Free posters celebrating women in STEM | The internet saying “Bye, Felicia” to Piers Morgan | Red Moon gang | Things Victorian women did too
The HEX Science team
🧬Jean Splicer | ☢ Marie Fury | 🧠 Rorschach Tess | 🔬 Rosalind Frankly