Intelligence Squared How Well do we Understand the Female Body? With Polly Vernon
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Aug 12, 2025 Join Polly Vernon, a Guardian feature writer and author of 'How The Female Body Works', as she delves into the complexities of women's health. She highlights how female bodies undergo significant changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Polly discusses medical misogyny and the knowledge gap in women's healthcare. Insights into unique injuries female athletes face are shared, alongside tips for healthy aging, exercise, and nutrition. Ultimately, the conversation encourages an open dialogue about women's health and the importance of self-compassion.
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A Practical Book To Fill A Knowledge Gap
- Polly Vernon wrote the book to fill a practical knowledge gap about women's bodies and make reliable information accessible.
- She wanted it useful rather than ideological, though politics became unavoidable.
Friends Who Thought Periods Were Death
- Vernon describes friends who knew nothing about periods and thought they were dying.
- She contrasts that with her own early exposure via Judy Blume and school talks.
Understanding Body Changes Feels Therapeutic
- Learning how the body works felt like therapy and gave Vernon compassion for past behaviours.
- Understanding hormonal stages helped her reinterpret earlier actions and treat her body more kindly.
