Women's bodies: an unreliable history
Professor Helen King explores the ever-changing cultural history of women's bodies

The history of women's bodies is far from simple. Female anatomy and the ideas surrounding it – from breastfeeding to virginity – still cause contention today. From the surprising original Pandora myth to intact hymens being used as evidence in the court of law, Professor Helen King takes Lauren Good on a journey through the ever-changing cultural history of women's bodies.
Helen King is the author of Immaculate Forms: Uncovering the History of Women's Bodies (Profile Books, 2024).
Authors

Lauren Good is the digital content producer at HistoryExtra. She joined the team in 2022 after completing an MA in Creative Writing, and she holds a first-class degree in English and Classical Studies.