What is Bikini Medicine?
The term “bikini medicine” is used disparagingly to refer to medicine when the treatment of women focuses specifically on issues with the breasts and genitals, rather than looking at the body as a whole. This slang term references a well-known two-piece women’s garment which famously covers only these areas of the body, leaving the rest exposed. Women’s health advocates are often outspoken in their concerns about bikini medicine, fearing that neglect of the rest of the body can be dangerous for women. Of course, there are legitimate health issues which do impact these parts of the body, which is why women go to specialists such as gynecologists to address these particular health issues. However, women historically have been frustrated when they visit a general practitioner and get the bikini medicine treatment. As some feminists put it, women are “more than their uteri,” and bikini medicine often does a grave disservice to women seeking medical attention. When doctors focus on reproduc
