Reclaiming your body through autogynecology

Have you ever taken a mirror from your parents' bathroom to look at yourself from below? Have you ever tried to better understand how your cycle works ? Have you ever fancied yourself a witch, concocting infusions to combat your PMS ?

If so, you have practiced self-gynecology. Congratulations! Emerging from the second wave of feminist movements, self-gynecology offers women the opportunity to reclaim ownership of their bodies through knowledge.

More prevalent in the United States, it is gradually gaining ground in France thanks to educational initiatives and self-observation workshops. Want to learn more about this discipline? Let's take a comprehensive look at autogynecology.

Self-gynecology: we have the right to know our bodies

Gynecological advances have been made through the male gaze and not without violence against women.

Even today, many of us can attest to unpleasant, even traumatic, experiences with our feet in the stirrups.

The philosophy and practice of autogynecology aim to put this power back in our own hands. It gives us the tools to distinguish between physiology and pathology , and thus know when to consult a healthcare professional.

Autogynecology originated in the 1970s in the United States within the self-help movement .

This feminist approach is part of the fight for women's right to control their own bodies. It connects with issues of contraception, abortion, and sexuality.

Realizing that women were often unfamiliar with their own bodies, activists shifted their focus to bodily liberation. They opened self-observation workshops to help women better understand and love their bodies . And that's just awesome! 

Why practice autogynecology?

Taking the time to explore your intimacy, interact with it, and understand how it works is a giant step towards more self-love . 🤍

The more we understand our bodies, the more we can accept them and take care of the wonderful machine that they are.

Practicing self-examination, observing one's cycles and even one's own smears also helps to combat preconceived ideas about women's bodies through knowledge.

No, it's not weird, dirty, smells bad, or scary. These are centuries-old beliefs that continue to judge and control the female body.

Self-gynecology is particularly relevant in cases of chronic illnesses such as PCOS or endometriosis. It helps patients to no longer see their body as a foreign enemy , but to integrate its signals and accept them with greater kindness.

Finally, "these practices are all part of a broader critique of what is perceived as 'medical power' exercised over women's bodies, and its corollary, the dispossession of women from their own bodies," writes Aurore Koechlin in her essay on the subject .

Where to begin to reclaim your body and your health?

Observe her intimate anatomy

Enthusiastic exploration is the first step towards discovering your intimate health. You may have a mental image of the vulva's anatomy and a drawing of the clitoris, but do you really know what your intimate area looks like?

We therefore invite you to first gather a mirror, a flashlight, and a good dose of curiosity. The time has come to observe your labia, the entrance to your vagina, and perhaps even your cervix if you have a speculum handy.

Know Thyself by Clarence Edgar Rosa will be an excellent ally for your solo exploration.

Do you want to be guided and supported in this reconnection with yourself? We have the solution!

Self-gynecology workshops are flourishing in major cities as well as in the smallest villages.

These spaces allow for experimentation with self-observation in groups as well as individually, respecting the needs, experiences and privacy of each person.

Contact your local Family Planning and feminist organizations to find a workshop near you!

Tracking your menstrual cycles

Regaining informed control over one's intimate health also involves understanding one's cycles and fertility.

Symptothermal method is a natural method of observing one's menstrual cycle by daily recording of temperature, analysis of cervical mucus and the position of the cervix.

The exercise may seem repetitive, but we promise you'll get a taste for it! Over the months, you'll feel like you have a superpower and are connected to a magical source of knowledge.

The symptothermal method is also a great technique for managing your fertility. However, it requires study and patience. To help you, you can get the book " Female Cycle and Natural Contraception: For a Conscious and Fulfilled Femininity" or consult a professional doula who can guide you through the process.

Dealing with minor inconveniences

Alongside conventional medicine, alternative therapies have preserved and passed on knowledge of plants. This knowledge, based on respect for the body and nature, allows us to move away from over-medicalization. 

Did you know that sometimes a slight change in diet is all it takes to eradicate fungi, certain detected STDs, hormonal disorders, or delayed menstruation?

The free downloadable fanzine Sortir les pieds des étriers has set itself the mission of helping women to carry out their own gynecological follow-up.

Of course, if you experience persistent pain or symptoms, consult your doctor or gynecologist. 

Autogynecology aims to combat the medical establishment's control over women's bodies and help them reclaim their intimate health. It's an invitation to take another step towards the heights of self-love, far from the societal pressures imposed on the female body. What do you think offemale masturbation as a method of exploring one's intimacy? For us, it's a resounding yes!