Hello!

I am going to take you back to a really interesting time in history that you wouldn’t have learnt about in school. What you are about to read not many people have heard of let alone will believe.

The scene is late 1890’s Europe. There was a then recognised medical condition that many poor women suffered from. The medical name was Hysteria.

Funnily enough this term is no longer used in the medical field so if you try to look it up in the dictionary you will see a different meaning to what I am going to write about. Safer to Google the definition for the historical meaning of Hysteria.

The only reason I can think on why Hysteria isn’t recognised by the medical field today or that people have not really ever heard of it is for one reason, out of embarrassment!

After you read the below factual information first I think you won’t believe it and then like me will have a giggle then think, What the? Is this really history or just a funny story?

Hysteria could best be described as sexual frustration. Women walking around without orgasms in their life.

There were doctors who specialised in this condition and were in high demand as you can imagine. Women whose main roles in those times were around to please every whim of men, procreate and maintain a clean and orderly house were like walking, ticking time bombs.



Along came specialist doctors who women could attend on a regular basis. The sexually frustrated woman would lie down while the doctors put his hand up her ankle length dress and use his hands and fingers to bring on an orgasm! To me it sounds like an awesome service to provide, I wonder if this would ever be reintroduced and if it would be covered by Medicare?!

This was in the exact same time in history that belief was that women did not experience any enjoyment at all from sexual intercourse.

What the? It was confusing times right as that is very contradictory.

So with the ever increasing demand for women to ‘relieve’ their hysteria symptoms came a problem. Sore, cramping hands! Seriously the doctors started dropping like flies with fatigued hand syndrome. I am giggling to self even writing this, so funny.

With every problem eventually comes a solution. The invention of the vibrator! Yes so one industrious doctor who could not see his increased wealth cease due to a sore hand invented the first ever vibrator. It was a huge, noisy contraption to say the least. But it worked.

Soon they were being advertised everywhere. Women could buy one of their very own and relieve themselves of the ghastly hysteria!

Maybe this was the start of woman’s evolution to be equal citizens to men in the world? Or maybe this is actually just a funny, silly story. You decide.

Had you ever heard of Hysteria before? What do you think? SHARE in the comments below.

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  • I can remember reading all about this many years ago. Having an orgasm was also classed as something essential to beauty and was classed also as a beauty treatment as it brought about a glow and natural flush to the cheeks.

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  • I did see the movie Hysteria.

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  • I was told about this by a psychologist so before you start laughing perhaps you should think of others feelings that perhaps still live through certain things everyday where this term if they were in that day still apply. It might be funny to you but for for some it is a reality in many different forms.

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  • Yes such a good read thanks for sharing!

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  • I’ve heard of hysteria before. Beatlemania etc

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  • Yes heard of it, saw a movie about it. It is funny, probably not for the women of that period though. Women were looked down upon in that era in every way. They were brought up to believe that their only position in life was to please their men, have their children and be upstanding citizens protecting their husbands good name. Not that that is a bad thing either.

    Years on, women have been liberated in oh so many ways, most for good, some men still refusing to recognise and value women and their position and contributions to the world. (Besides having children). Now women are encouraged to have a go at anything they desire to. And some women feel they don’t need men to meet their needs. Hence the various vibrators which can be purchased today. What a marvel of medical discovery. Hysteria brought a lack of fulfilment for many women who wanted something more than just meeting their partners needs. And look what you can buy now an abundance of various vibrating gadgets. Ah, Invention the mother of necessity. :)

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  • Hi Ladies, Yes it is true! I first heard about Hysteria from the movie. It’s a really good giggle, I recommend it. I had to write about it as it’s such an interesting part of history. Love Liz @ Miracle Minded http://www.miracleminded.com.au x

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  • Saw a movie on this topic too, was fantastic it is true…. Doctor’s made a mint it is true.. Men labeling omen, opened a pandora’s box for the doctors to do.. Silly men still some around too, also women faking orgasms too. A real one is not to be missed….. if you get my mature womans gist. Not written in a book but there has to be openness, chatter laughter. kisses too. passion takes patience, honesty too, Oh my wonderful it is true, an experience never forgotten it is true

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  • Movie mentioned in the feedback sounds interesting.

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  • i googled and found nothing on this but I did see a episode of some that happened called “Penis Panic” lol men were convinced there bit was shrinking and disapearing lol thats not funny!!! unless your female Bahahahaha

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  • Wasn’t there a movie made about this released a few years ago?
    If it was on Medicare, you wouldn’t get to choose which doctor ‘administers’ the ‘treatment’. On private, I you could nominate Who and When…..

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  • such a good read thanks for that

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  • very nice

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  • There was a movie made with Hugh Dancy.

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  • I’ve heard of the term ‘hysteria’. It’s often referred to during chaotic situations etc. I describe my sister as ‘hysterical’ when she gets unusually upset and comes out with the most stupid, bizarre and nasty comments. That for me is ‘hysterical’ over-the-top behaviour. I’ve not understood it as a medical term.

    Reply

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