Vagina, clitoris and discharge are just some of the 40 words relating to women’s health that are being censored on social media, according to a new study. Other words include anatomically correct language like vulva and labia majora, as well as words describing common medical conditions, such as PCOS and UTIs.
Research commissioned by Bodyform also revealed that social media users aren’t aware of the censorship, with 85% of Brits not knowing vagina is the most flagged word on Facebook. A further two thirds (68%), didn’t know sharing an educational image of a vulva could get you banned on social media, and seven in ten didn’t know what shadowbanning was, or that it regularly happens on social media.
Topping the list of words that those surveyed felt the most uncomfortable using are; Adenomyosis (88%), labia majora and minora (83%), PCOS (75%) and pelvic prolapse (73%).
Bodyform’s new campaign, Vaginas Uncensored, aims to empower women to reclaim the words they feel they can’t say after an alarming 71% said they don’t feel comfortable having open conversations about their bodies.
Anna McCrory, Senior Brand Manager at Bodyform, said: At Bodyform we don’t believe in taboos and are passionate about giving women+ a voice to open-up conversations that we, as a society, need to be having.
“Not speaking out, makes important subjects almost impossible to talk about which in turn is affecting our lives and our health. This is why our Vaginas Uncensored campaign is so important and why we are urging women+ to reclaim the language around their bodies.”
Shadowbanning is a social media algorithm that deprioritises users’ content, stopping them from generating the amount of engagement they are used to.
The top ten most surprising censored words:
- Period
- Uterus
- Nipples
- Puberty
- Vulva
- Vagina
- Miscarriage
- Menopause
- Infertility
- Boobs
Full list of 40 words
Vagina
Miscarriage
Menopause
Lactation
Endometriosis
PMS
Sex
Infertility
PCOS
Orgasm
Clitoris
Tampon
Discharge
Boobs
Labia Minora
Labia Majora
Vulva
Period
Period Products
Dysmenorrhea
Amenorrhea
Puberty
Breastfeeding
Cervix
Bacterial Vaginosis
HPV
Adenomyosis
Colposcopy
Panty
Undies
Vaginal atrophy
Menstrual cycle
Nipples
UTI
Uterus
Fibroids
PMDD
Vaginismus
Pelvic Prolapse
Period blood
Period pain
