MAJORITY OF WOMEN EMBARRASSED TO DISCUSS VAGINAL HEALTH

• Study finds 78 percent of people think women would rather suffer in silence than mention vaginal health issues
• Almost nine in ten women (87 percent) believe that people are embarrassed about using the word “vagina”
• A quarter of the women polled say they feel worried about their intimate health impacting their physical and mental health

Women across Ireland are suffering in silence when it comes to their vaginal health, according to a new survey conducted by PrecisionBiotics^®. The research, which polled over 1,000 women, reveals that deep-rooted embarrassment is preventing open discussions, leaving many struggling with issues they feel unable to address.

The survey found that a staggering 87% of Irish women believe there is embarrassment around simply using the word “vagina” reinforcing the ongoing stigma surrounding female intimate health. As a result, 78% of women admit they would rather suffer in silence than talk about vaginal health concerns – a worrying statistic that highlights the need for more open conversations.

The research also found that embarrassment extends beyond conversation – 36% of people say they would feel uncomfortable asking for a vaginal health product in a pharmacy. This discomfort is even more pronounced among younger women, with 43% of those aged 18-29 admitting they would struggle to request help in-store.

Some key findings of the study were:

• 87 percent believe that people are embarrassed about using the word “vagina”
• 84 percent agree that vaginal health is not spoken about in general conversation
• 36 percent admit they would have a problem with asking for a vaginal health product in a pharmacy, including 43 percent of 18-29 year olds
• 38 percent of the women polled are aware of and believe in the connection between gut microbiome and vaginal health
• Over half (53 percent) do not understand what the microbiome is
• 43 percent are aware that the vagina has a microbiome
• Almost nine in ten women (87 percent) believe that people are embarrassed about using the word “vagina”
• 53 percent are aware of products specifically designed for vaginal health
• 78 percent of respondents admit that they think women in general would rather suffer in silence than mention vaginal health issues
• A quarter of the women polled say they feel worried about their intimate health impacting their physical and mental health

Commenting on the survey results, Cork based GP Dr. Maeve Davis said: “We’ve come a long way in terms of having open conversations around menopause but when it comes to vaginal health, unfortunately it’s still very much taboo. A lot of my female patients find it hard to discuss intimate health, and I would really encourage open conversations about the vagina, particularly in terms of understanding the role a healthy and balanced vaginal microbiome plays in preventing unpleasant infections like thrush, which is very common and can cause a lot of distress and discomfort. I would always tell my patients to prioritise their vaginal health and never feel embarrassed about seeking advice from your doctor or pharmacist if you are worried about this.”

Women’s health advocate Catherine O’Keeffe, AKA Wellness Warrior, said: “I travel to workplaces the length and breadth of the country and the women I meet often have issues with intimate health that they find hard to speak about, even with their doctor, let alone those close to them. There is a real taboo around this aspect of women’s health and we should discuss vaginal health just as we do gut health. This research by PrecisionBiotics backs up my experiences and highlights the fact that we need to shatter taboos around discussing vaginal health and encourage women to seek treatment when needed. The time of suffering in silence is in the past.”

PrecisionBiotics^®, which has its roots in UCC, has launched new product Women’s Flora, designed for women who are actively seeking to maintain a healthy vaginal balance. The product has been formulated with a unique combination of scientifically studied 4 lactobacilli bacterial strains prevalent in a healthy vaginal microbiome. The company, which is known for its flagship products Alflorex and Zenflore, also recently launched ‘Good Bacteria’ on the Irish market, a daily bacterial supplement for use during or after a course of antibiotics.

PrecisionBiotics^® has a long-standing reputation for developing products supported by rigorous scientific research. Founded over 20 years ago, PrecisionBiotics^® was founded by Irish scientists who believed the human microbiome contains the answers to many modern health problems. Our scientists began researching thousands of bacterial cultures together with experts from one of the world’s leading centres of microbiome research, the APC Microbiome Institute, UCC. From the very start, we have been dedicated to understanding unique bacterial strains and their role in specific areas of health.

Why Vaginal Health Matters

What many people don’t realise is that the vagina has its own microbiome – a delicate balance of good bacteria that helps maintain a healthy pH level and protect against infections. In the vagina, this ‘community’ is known as the vaginal microbiome, and it’s populated mainly by Lactobacillus bacteria. These create an acidic environment that is less conducive for unhealthy bacteria or other microorganisms to grow. Your microbiome is a kind of ‘protective community’ of microorganisms and, like your genome, it is unique to you.

When the vaginal microbiome becomes unbalanced, it can result in an overgrowth of potentially harmful bacteria and/or yeast. Lifestyle factors such as diet, sexual activity, stress, using intimate hygiene products and taking antibiotics can affect the balance of bacteria in the vagina, as well as natural fluctuations of oestrogen during the menstrual cycle. When numbers of lactobacilli in the vagina are reduced, there is an increased risk of bacterial infection of the vagina, thrush, recurrent urinary infections and even reduced fertility.