Breaking the 'verbal' barrier: Talking about sexual health should not embarrass women

Young women are risking their health by not talking about their sexual health with their doctors, claims a latest report released by Ovarian Cancer Action. The report says that women feel embarrassed while talking about the female reproductive organs, thus overlooking the potentially serious gynaecological issues.

During the study, the researchers surveyed around 1,000 women aged between 18 and 24. The team found that the group was four times less likely to visit a doctor for a gynaecological problem or a sex-related issues, as compared to women aged between 55 and 64.

Out of the total women surveyed, nearly two-thirds of the women confessed that they feel embarrassed while saying the word “orgasm” or “vagina” to their doctors, reported The Telegraph. On the other hand, nearly 60 percent of the ladies hesitated while pronouncing “labia” and as much as 50 per cent of the women felt conscious while saying the word “discharge.”

Shockingly, the survey results also revealed that nearly half of the women did not go to the doctor fearing that they would be physically or intimately examined, while 25 percent of the women do not visit a doctor since they are unsure about what words to use while explaining to them about their condition.

The survey further says that 57 per cent of the young women turn to Google rather than a doctor to discuss issues related to sexual health. The researchers at the Ovarian Cancer Action believes that the situation is worrying, since googling out the symptoms is not a practically feasible medical approach.

“Illnesses such as ovarian cancer - which kills a woman every two hours in the UK – is much easier to treat if it’s diagnosed early, so it’s incredibly important that women feel empowered to talk about their health and feel comfortable visiting healthcare professionals,” said Katherine Taylor, the chief executive at the Ovarian Cancer Action.

Each year, more than 7,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are reported in the UK itself. It is estimated that a woman dies every two hours in the western Europe because of the condition. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to remove the barrier that prevents women from talking about their sexual health.

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