This book expands on the basic principle that men and women are biologically destined to be different, performing different societal roles as a result of years of evolution. The author is a leading proponent of ‘gender medicine’, tailoring care to the needs of men and women separately.
In essence, it is the old ‘nature or nurture’ argument writ large. Gender Medicine comes down heavily on nature’s side. Glezerman pays considerable attention to the role of genetics and epigenetics in developing personalised medicine. The difference in men’s and women’s physiology is emphasised. Chapters cover diverse subjects including gastrointestinal and heart disease, pain and thermoregulation.
The book is on relatively safe ground in recounting previous studies demonstrating demographic differences in illness presentation and severity. However, a fundamental flaw for me (acknowledging my perspective as a female GP and feminist) is that ‘gender’ is here dichotomised. The book is written with an underlying assumption that gender is binary, purely biological, and deterministic. Glezerman does acknowledge at an early stage that he uses the term ‘gender’ inaccurately to replace ‘sex’. Yet, beyond this definition, the social construction of gender is glossed over in favour of an emphasis on neurobiology. Health inequalities in economic terms, gender identity, and emerging issues of the health care of transgender people are not explored.
The author is clear in stating that the book is a piece of popular science and not an academic treatise. It certainly appears idealistic in its view on delivery of ‘personalised’ medicine. However, it draws on an unproblematic biomedical model of gender. There is little doubt that men and women often experience health and illness differently, but the reasons why such differences are sustained are many and complex. In the GP world we inhabit, women still face sexism and violence, and transgender patients remain stigmatised. This book offers an intriguing premise, but those looking for a nuanced discussion of these complex issues will have to look further afield.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2018