Darkness in an Enlightened Era: Women's Drawings of Their Sexual Organs

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Abstract
The study was exploratory with a view to determine women's concepts in regard to the anatomy of their sexual-reproductive organs. The study raises the question of the extent to which the concepts are harmonious with the greater freedom of sexual expression evidenced today. For 68 women, 20 to 78 yr. of age, educational level ranged from high school graduate to university post-graduate degrees. The women were requested to draw internal and external sexual organs. The drawings were evaluated on the basis of inclusion of generally familiar structures: vagina, clitoris, uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries in approximately correct placement. There were somewhat more than twice as many ‘inadequate’ drawings as ‘adequate’ ones. Not all respondents complied with the request for the drawing. Women left blanks, and a number wrote comments of regret. The author offers underlying reasons for resistance to knowledge of the anatomy of the sexual organs. Implications for health care from the point of view of women and from the point of view of the physician ate discussed.

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