More than two in five women (42%) say they would feel mortified talking to even their close friends – about matters concerning their private parts, a study has found.
From STIs and discharge, to common medical conditions like thrush, many women feel uncomfortable and embarrassed when it comes to talking about their own bodies.
And three in ten would even avoid seeing a healthcare professional if something is wrong – instead turning to the internet for advice.
But while 76% feel they could identify the symptoms of thrush, 44% admit they are less confident when it comes to the tell-tale signs of bacterial vaginosis.
The findings come from the UK's biggest “vagina study”, polling 5,000 women – with nearly three-quarters (74%) feeling that females are taught from a young age to hide their experiences, and “be discreet” when referencing anything to do with their bodily functions.
Dr Shazia Malik, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, who is working with women’s intimate healthcare brand Balance Activ, said: “It’s clear there is a lack of education about intimate health from a young age, leading women to feel too embarrassed to even consult a healthcare professional.
“Some things need to change, and we can start doing this now by educating ourselves and others.
“It’s really important for women to be able to spot the signs of any changes in the vagina or vulva, which is why it’s great that there are tools and support out there to help and encourage women to speak more openly.”
The study found that over a quarter (28%) of those aged 45-55 even have a “name” for their lady bits, and prefer using that over vagina or vulva.
And even though seven in ten know what they go through is completely natural, they’d rather minimise it as much as possible.
While younger women, aged 18 to 24, said that they learnt a little about their biology at school (47%), more than half (57%) feel clueless about what their body constantly throws at them.
Just under half (46%) believe there is a stigma around talking about your private parts because there is fear of being judged, while 40% think it’s embarrassing – and 39% said it’s because their parents didn’t talk about it enough.
And one in five (21%) would use a hushed voice or a whisper when asking for intimate products over the counter – while 46% would never do this, preferring to order online instead.
Reasons for this include four in ten feeling there is a lack of privacy when buying from a shop, while a further 39% feel embarrassed or ashamed to do so.
But more than three in ten (31%) feel uncomfortable seeking help for their private parts when they’re experiencing discomfort.
A quarter of ladies aged 25-34 would miss work if they were experiencing a strong vaginal odour – compared to just 16% of those aged 45-54, according to the OnePoll.com data.
Intimacy expert Charlene Douglas, for Balance Activ, added: “While the female anatomy is a private area, we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about the issues we face.
“There is a lot of help and guidance around intimate health that can help people better understand what is going on with their bodies.
“But they say a problem shared is a problem halved, so opening up and having discussions with friends and those close to you could help you realise that what you might be experiencing is actually completely normal, and might help others open up too.”
