Cleopatra Metrodora: The First Female Cosmetic Surgeon in the Ancient World

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Cleopatra Metrodora is an incredible and fascinating figure from the ancient world: an example of one of the first ever female physicians in a time where men absolutely dominated the scientific and medical landscape.

While she focused her surgical procedures on women’s health issues, mostly in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, she also pioneered the first documented instances of cosmetic surgery in women.

There is very little known about her and her life, and she has sadly fallen into obscurity in the modern age.

Cleopatra Metrodora lived at some point between the years 200-400 CE, although some scholars think she might have lived later in the 7th century CE. She was of Egyptian origin, although likely practiced medicine in Greece.

Her Egyptian status is significant, as in Egyptian law men and women are treated equally, whereas in Greek and Roman society women were often viewed as second-class citizens. In Egypt women were able to own property, have businesses, and work in healthcare.

The First Female Medical Writer

Cleopatra Metrodora has an absolutely incredible legacy: she was the first author of a textbook focused on women’s health and surgery. The tome was titled On the Diseases and Cures of Women. It was two volumes, containing 108 chapters in total, and was translated into Latin and referred to in many medical texts in the centuries after her life. A copy existed in the Laurentian Library in Florence, Italy in the 12th century.

This book contains many theories and descriptions around female health that seem to consist of Metrodora’s own original research, as well as formulations for medicines that have never been found elsewhere - meaning they were potentially created by Metrodora herself.

She opened her book by saying she was going to describe the diseases that afflicted women - “some of them are intricate to treat and others are fatal, by these notes we will recognize each one.”

Medieval translators were confused when first confronted with her text, as at once point she was referred to as “Cleopatra.” They then decided to attribute her writing to the famous queen of Egypt, Cleopatra VII. It’s unclear how this mistake happened, but this is why you will find her referenced as Cleopatra Metrodora in most academic texts.

Focus on Women’s Health

Cleopatra Metrodora was truly ahead of her time. She was a gynaecologist who was able to diagnose and treat female sterility, as well as giving advice to women on breastfeeding and milk production. She was able to cure infections of the female reproductive system, as well as removing dead embryos to save pregnant women’s lives. She also had treatments for menorrhagia (heavy periods) and described forms of contraception in her writing. She was also a surgeon, and removed cancers from the breast and uterus. She created the first speculum to aid her examinations. She also wrote guidelines on how to determine whether or not a woman had undergone sexual abuse.

Cosmetic Surgeon

Cleopatra Metadora performed cosmetic surgical operations - an incredible and fascinating feat for female medic in the ancient world. She did both aesthetic face and breast reconstruction. She also described performing operations to re-suture the vaginal hymen in order to protect women who had been abused or were considered “sinful,” as virginity as often been a character trait that society has touted as being highly desirable in women and one that would cost them if they weren’t in possession of it.

Final Thoughts

Cleopatra Metrodora was almost lost to us - her medical textbook was overlooked and her name is largely forgotten. There may be many other incredible female clinicians who history has left behind. We will never know!

What I love about her story, and what I really find interesting, is that in the history of medicine, when female clinicians have the opportunity to break boundaries and be pioneers, they often incorporate medical aesthetics or plastic surgery into their practice.

References

Gregory T, Marianna K, Georgios A. Metrodora, an innovative gynecologist, midwife, and surgeon. Surg Innov. 2013 Dec;20(6):648-9. doi: 10.1177/1553350613485304. Epub 2013 Apr 16. PMID: 23592731.

Tsoucalas Gregory, Sgantzos Markos. 2016. Aspasia and Cleopatra Metrodora, Two Majestic Female Physician – Surgeons in the Early Byzantine Era. Journal of Universal Surgery. Vol. 4 No. 3: 55. DOI: 10.21767/2254-6758.100055.