6: The Career Woman's Disease

The myth that Black women don't develop endometriosis is almost a century old and yet it still persists to this day. Where did this idea come from? How did endometriosis come to be labeled the "career woman's disease"? And, why is it harder for Black patients, and working class patients, to get diagnosed? Today's episode is the first in a two-part series exploring how race and class influence endometriosis diagnosis and treatment. We learn about the story of the doctors who established this myth -- and one doctor who dedicated his life to debunking it.

What is Tight Lipped?

Tight Lipped is a storytelling podcast that makes public what is often thought of as “private pain.” We ask big questions about female chronic pain. We explore how gender, race, sexual orientation and class impact women and non-binary folks' experiences of healthcare and of their own bodies. Our show focuses on conditions that are extremely common (like vestibulodynia, vaginismus and endometriosis), yet carry with them a social stigma and often impact mental health, identity and intimate relationships.