The corset, while a staple of European women's fashion for centuries, was also a subject of intense debate and medical scrutiny, particularly during the 19th century. Concerns about its impact on women's health ranged from respiratory issues to reproductive problems, fueling a "corset controversy" that involved doctors, dress reformers, and the wearers themselves. While some claims were exaggerated or based on limited understanding, the physical effects
of corseting, especially when worn tightly and from a young age, were indeed significant and often detrimental.
Physical Effects and Medical Observations
One of the most frequently cited concerns regarding corsets was their impact on lung capacity. Moderately laced corsets have been shown to reduce lung capacity by 2 to 29%, with an average reduction of 9%. This reduction could lead to increased shortness of breath, particularly during moderate exercise like dancing. Studies involving historical reenactors wearing corsets have confirmed significantly higher respiration and heart rates after exercise, especially with 1900s-style straight-front corsets. Fainting, often associated with corset wearing, is considered credible, especially when corsets were laced unusually tight for occasions like dances, combining restriction with physical exertion.
Beyond respiration, corsets were known to affect various internal organs and bodily functions. They could decrease stomach size and constrict intestinal motility, potentially leading to constipation or indigestion. The downward pressure exerted by a corset on the pelvic floor could also contribute to urinary incontinence, similar to that experienced during pregnancy. Gynecologists in the early 20th century noted that the ligaments and muscles involved in urination in corseted individuals were often insufficient to maintain continence, possibly leading to frequent urinary tract infections. Friction and pressure from the garment could also cause skin abrasions or bruising. Some medical professionals even suggested that the pressure might negatively affect kidney function, potentially contributing to hypertension. The displacement of fat caused by corseting could lead to distension in the lower abdomen that persisted even after the corset was removed, an effect exacerbated by muscle weakness resulting from prolonged corset use.
Reproductive Health and Skeletal Changes
Concerns about the corset's impact on reproductive health were particularly prominent. Uterine prolapse was a condition likely worsened by regular corset usage, with both rectal and uterine prolapse occurring at a higher incidence during the Victorian era than today, declining as the corset fell out of fashion. An 1888 doctor reported a significant increase in "uterine derangement" attributed to tight clothing and corsets. This era saw the development of various pessaries and devices to support prolapsed uteruses, often leading to further complications. The controversy also touched upon pregnancy; corsets were often worn as long as possible during gestation to suppress and disguise the appearance of the growing fetus. Obstetricians campaigned against this practice, with some even theorizing that tightlacing could be used to induce abortion, contributing to moral panic.
Skeletal analyses have revealed that corseting, especially when begun in early childhood or pre-adolescence, had a significant and permanent effect on the form of the spine, ribs, and hips. This early intervention could lead to underdevelopment of the pelvic inlet, which is consistent with reported difficulties in childbirth, although studies on this topic have yielded mixed results. Autopsies in the late 19th century sometimes found atrophied ovaries in women from certain social classes who likely wore corsets regularly. Furthermore, corsets were widely believed to contribute to tuberculosis, with some theories suggesting they directly caused the disease or exacerbated deaths by impairing lung function. Doctors often warned corseted women against strenuous exercise to avoid strain, highlighting the physical limitations imposed by the garment. The long-term use of corsets was also known to contribute significantly to muscle wasting in the core and back, leading to increased lower-back pain and eventual reliance on the corset for upright posture, and potentially contributing to the prevalence of forceps delivery during the period due to abdominal muscle atrophy.
