A brief history of the female body: an evolutionary look at how and why the female form came to be

The female body is an enigma in all stages of life. For teenagers first experiencing their periods, the monthly arrival of mood swings and cramps can be agonizing and inconvenient. With pregnancy, perhaps the most miraculous of bodily events, comes countless potential complications, including high blood pressure, diabetes, premature birth, and postpartum depression. And menopause is equally mystifying. Why do females lose their fertility over time and experience the notorious side effects, like hot flashes, weight gain, and hair loss, while males maintain their fertility forever? This book looks far into our evolutionary past, illuminating how and why the female form has transformed over millions of years.
"Knowledge is the most powerful weapon. As the female body is constantly being politicized and policed, it is now more than ever that people must understand the inner workings of women's body. Written by an evolutionary geneticist, Deena Emera, Ph.D., in an accessible, nonjudgmental tone, A Brief History of the Female Body unravels misconceptions women have about their own bodies and supplies evolutionary-backed scientific analysis that provides a more complete understanding of women's bodies. Covering topics once considered taboo--from periods, to pregnancy, to the female orgasm--A Brief History of the Female Body illuminates how the female form has transformed over millions of years to become the beautiful, unique bodies women see in the mirror each day"--