Now that so many women are balancing school, family, and work, it’s hard to find time to stand up for women’s causes. But it is important and it does work. Recently a prominent surgeon wrote a Valentine’s Day editorial about the mood enhancing effects of semen on women during unprotected sex. He cited a research study done in 2002 that reported that female college students who had had unprotected sex were less depressed that those who used condoms. It implied that compounds in semen have antidepressant effects. He goes further to imply sex without condoms may be a nice Valentine’s present. WHAT?#?#
The reaction from female doctors and especially female surgeons was almost immediate and full of outrage. Guess what? The surgeon (who was president-elect of the American College of Surgeons) submitted his resignation with little fuss, despite his many accomplishments and past support for women. Even he must have felt that he went way over the line. If you want to read the New York Times report on this incident, click here.
Even better, think about what is important to you as a woman related to health and if you find some shortcomings, find the time to speak out!