Sarah Chadwick author The Sweetness of Venus - A History of The Clitoris

08/04/21 • 40 min

My last guest of Season 2 is the wonderful Sarah Chadwick author of The Sweetness of Venus - A History of the Clitoris.

Challenging today’s definition of female sexuality, The Sweetness of Venus is a provocative, straight-talking and rigorously researched history exposing the denial, misunderstanding and brutality endured by this taboo body part.

Sarah has a teaching background is currently a guest researcher at Chicago’s LOYOLA University, splitting her life between the US and UK. She has been described as “an articulate and compassionate spokeswoman for a new generation of women”

In her own words Sarah “Wanted her book to be pleasurable like good sex. For it to be friendly, funny, compassionate, inclusive of men and a bridge between academic research and knowledge. A book that people would pick up and have pleasure reading.” - I think she achieved it all.

Join us as we discuss:-

The historic shame around women’s sexual pleasure
The complicated and conflicting history of the clitoris
The Victorians - the fear and threat around women having sexual agency
1844 - A breakthrough in Clitoral recognition!
The tip of the Clitoral iceberg - do you really know what it looks like and just how big it is?
Think you know the meaning of the world ‘frigid’, think again
Freud and his part in defining that there is a difference between a vaginal and Clitoral orgasm.
Historically Dr’s putting forward the idea that proper sexual function was through penetrative sex only and any other way was a treatable physiological disorder
Why we need to broaden the definition of what quantifies as sex to become more inclusive and healthier for everybody
Today’s teenagers having more oral and anal sex than ever before in the name of ‘not having sex’
The difference in sex education in the UK and the US and why we are still not teaching it right.
The narrative that women are wired for reproduction and men are wired for sex
Shere Hite’s groundbreaking survey in the 70s about women's sexual pleasure and desire.
Sarah’s own frustrating experience with three gynaecologists trying to get her orgasm back post menopause
The effect that the dominant narrative that women’s sexual function is purely for reproduction has on Menopausal women stepping into their sexual power
How the taboo around reproduction vs pleasure has been so incredibly damaging to women in their 50s and beyond
Viagra - *eye roll * men haven't had to fight for their continued sexual function.
Bicycle design, train travel, sewing machines and their connection to the female orgasm and masturbation!

Sarah’s book choices

Invisible Women - Caroline Crado Perez

The World’s Wife - Carol Ann Duffy

You can find more of Sarah on Instagram @its.Personalgirls
Find out how you can work with me, my coaching and education, and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themer

Support the show

Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group

My last guest of Season 2 is the wonderful Sarah Chadwick author of The Sweetness of Venus - A History of the Clitoris.

Join us as we discuss:-

The historic shame around women’s sexual pleasure
The complicated and conflicting history of the clitoris
The Victorians - the fear and threat around women having sexual agency
1844 - A breakthrough in Clitoral recognition!
The tip of the Clitoral iceberg - do you really know what it looks like and just how big it is?
Think you know the meaning of the world ‘frigid’, think again
Freud and his part in defining that there is a difference between a vaginal and Clitoral orgasm.
Historically Dr’s putting forward the idea that proper sexual function was through penetrative sex only and any other way was a treatable physiological disorder
Why we need to broaden the definition of what quantifies as sex to become more inclusive and healthier for everybody
Today’s teenagers having more oral and anal sex than ever before in the name of ‘not having sex’
The difference in sex education in the UK and the US and why we are still not teaching it right.
The narrative that women are wired for reproduction and men are wired for sex
Shere Hite’s groundbreaking survey in the 70s about women's sexual pleasure and desire.
Sarah’s own frustrating experience with three gynaecologists trying to get her orgasm back post menopause
The effect that the dominant narrative that women’s sexual function is purely for reproduction has on Menopausal women stepping into their sexual power
How the taboo around reproduction vs pleasure has been so incredibly damaging to women in their 50s and beyond
Viagra - *eye roll * men haven't had to fight for their continued sexual function.
Bicycle design, train travel, sewing machines and their connection to the female orgasm and masturbation!

Sarah’s book choices

Invisible Women - Caroline Crado Perez

The World’s Wife - Carol Ann Duffy

You can find more of Sarah on Instagram @its.Personalgirls
Find out how you can work with me, my coaching and education, and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themer

Support the show

Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group

Previous Episode

Emma Bardwell author The Perimenopause Solution

My guest on the penultimate episode of S2 is Emma Bardwell registered nutritionist and member of the British Menopause Society. Her evidence-based approach, coupled with an ongoing interest in Perimenopause and Menopause has made her one of the go-to names in women’s health.

Emma is deeply anti-fad and doesn’t care for restriction, believing in positive rather than perfect nutrition and together with Dr Shahzadi Harper she has written today’s book choice, The Perimenopause Solution.

Join us as we discuss:

Pro ageing and “Tweakments” - being unapologetic and acknowledging that our appearance does change as our collagen starts to deplete.
Why saying ‘no’ should be on prescription for Perimenopausal women.
Stress - one of the main drivers behind our symptoms and how it can override the positive effects of HRT.
The rise of eating disorders in midlife - the importance of knowing what to eat and how to exercise.
Auditing our life - removing toxic habits and toxic people.
Alcohol - the pros and the cons.
Why our metabolism changes - the impact that has on what we eat and drink.
The benefits of therapy and coaching - dealing with feelings that may surface and the changes that are happening.
The next generation - we are setting the example for them, let’s show today’s young women how utterly brilliant we are.
Understanding the gut/brain connection - how crucial this is in Perimenopause
Listening to our bodies - being intuitive and picking up on the signals and clues we are being sent.
Make change if it is calling but don’t act on impulse! - the importance of talking things through with friends or seeking out a supportive community online.

Emma’s book choices

Dr Lisa Mosconi - The XX Brain

Kimberly Wilson - How To Build A Healthy BrainFind out how you can work with me, my coaching and education, and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themerrymenopause.com

Support the show

Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group

Next Episode

Kimberley Wilson author How to Build a Healthy Brain

To kick off season three of The Merry Menopause Bookclub podcast I am delighted to be joined by Kimberley Wilson Chartered Psychologist and author of How to Build a Healthy Brain.

Kimberley believes the way we think about mental health – as separate from physical health – is flawed. Her philosophy of Whole Body Mental Health is a comprehensive approach to mental health care; integrating evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle factors with psychological therapy.

Kimberley co-hosts the podcast Made of Stronger Stuff on BBC Radio 4 and her own podcast Stronger Minds and is often recognised as a former finalist on the Great British Bake Off! She has been the mental health expert on several Channel 4 documentaries and is a regular contributor to Lorraine on ITV.

In this fascinating episode Kimberley reveals the shocking fact that depression is the leading cause of disability across the world and dementia and Alzheimer’s are the leading cause of death in the UK, overtaking heart disease and diabetes. With this in mind, we need to start looking at an holistic and preventative approach to mental health, acknowledging the relationship between the brain and the body rather than thinking of the two as separate.

We discuss the long term use of anti-depressants and why we should be reassessing the causes of depression. What is making people feel bad for so long? And the importance of diet, exercise, community, optimism and resilience on our short and long term brain health.

This episode is a must-listen if you want to understand how important it is we look at our daily lives and how they impact our mental health. We forgot that our brain is an organ and we need to take care of it as much as we take care of our heart

Kimberley's book choice Lisa Feldmen Barrett , Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain
Find out how you can work with me, my coaching and education, and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themerrymenopause.com

Support the show

Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group