The contribution of feminist theory to medical sociology is analyzed. The first part discusses the main feminist concepts: patriarchy, gender, and sex/gender system. The article points out that such concepts illuminate social aspects that have been neglected. It is acknowledged that the concept of patriarchy requires further theoretical development. The second part discusses the feminist attempt to develop new knowledge. A "Feminist Science" would problematize gender domination, which current science takes for granted, and would allow for a new approach to social reality. The author emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between "sex" and "gender", the latter being more relevant for a correct understanding of the notion of a feminist science. Some recent feminist epistemological and methodological developments are noted. The third part analyzes the most relevant contributions of feminist theory to medical sociology. It is shown that one such contribution is the problematization of the concepts of "health" and "disease", and the demonstration that these concepts are social constructs, a product of the prevailing patriarchal order. The author illustrates how the feminist approach challenges conventional medical notions and practices, which are based and reproduced on gender domination.
Patriarchy; Gender; Feminist Theory; Feminist Epistemology; Medical Sociology