A content analysis of obstetrics and gynecology scholarship: implications for women's health

In the context of studying the medicalization of women, we sought insight into the reflexive and mutually influential relationships between the prevailing social agenda and the formal knowledge base by analyzing the content, purpose and funding source of the scholarly work published in the three major, English-language obstetrics and gynecology journals. Our analysis of the 6103 articles published in 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, and 1993 led us to the conclusion that, rather than responding to changing social needs and life-styles, the obstetrics and gynecology specialty has continued to emphasize the reproductive nature of women rather than the health and well-being requirements of non-pregnant and non-fertile women. The social values and attitudes toward women inferred from the priorities evident in these data are ideologically consistent with the view that women's primary role is that of reproduction. The implied importance of certain themes and the consequent allocation of resources may serve to perpetuate the politically oppressive view of women as biologically motivated and determined.