# hysteria was originally believed to be caused by spontaneous uterus movement > The first description referring to the ancient Egyptians dates to 1900 BC (**Kahun Papyrus**) and identifies the cause of hysterical disorders in spontaneous uterus movement within the female body [[(Tasca et al., 2012)#^hf1p3]] > Then, he resumes the idea of a restless and migratory uterus and identifies the cause of the indisposition as poisonous stagnant humors which, due to an inadequate sexual life, have never been expelled. He asserts that a woman’s body is physiologically cold and wet and hence prone to putrefaction of the humors (as opposed to the dry and warm male body). For this reason, the uterus is prone to get sick, especially if it is deprived of the benefits arising from sex and procreation, which, widening a woman’s canals, promote the cleansing of the body. And he goes further; especially in virgins, widows, single, or sterile women, this “bad” uterus – since it is not satisfied - not only produces toxic fumes but also takes to wandering around the body, causing various kinds of disorders such as anxiety, sense of suffocation, tremors, sometimes even convulsions and paralysis. For this reason, he suggests that even widows and unmarried women should get married and live a satisfactory sexual life within the bounds of marriage[[(Tasca et al., 2012)#^djf7s]] The movement of the uterus was due to sexual frustration → [[hysteria was believed to be caused by sexual frustration]]