Medical Sexism: Contraception Access, Reproductive Medicine, and Health Care. Jill B. Delston, London: Lexington Books, 2019, xxiii + 335 pp. including Bibliography and Index; $115.00 hdbk. ISBN 978-1-4985-5821-1

Certainly, this text will appeal to readers with an interest in feminist philosophy, especially feminist bioethics. Delston’s book could do considerable good if put in the hands of health care providers, medical policy makers, and those who aspire to become either. This would be a profoundly eye-opening read for people who have never and will never themselves be under the care of an OB/GYN. However, the audience I would most strongly urge to read this text are those who have personally experienced any instance(s) of medical sexism (and here I would like to acknowledge that I count myself among this unfortunately large crowd). If you have ever been made to navigate unreasonable obstacles to obtain contraception or abortion care, if your birth control has been held hostage in the name of unrelated medical testing, if you have ever seen your autonomy overridden by your health care provider in any of the ways enumerated in this book, then I predict you’ll find this a rewarding read. I can attest to the usefulness of Delston’s moral analysis for unpacking the harms caused by such experiences. And this is no small thing, since as Delston notes, patients who make their objections to sexist medical practices known are frequently “belittled, criticized, or subject to scare tactics” (133). This book can help equip patients and patient advocates to push back rather than capitulate when met with such reactions. For those who have experienced medical sexism firsthand, a reading of this outstanding book ought to underscore one fact above all: you deserve better. We all deserve better.