With social media now the norm, we have all become a lot more confident when it comes to airing our opinions – but it seems we are lacking in one very important area: our health.
New research has revealed that over two-thirds of Irish women are embarrassed when discussing intimate health issues with their GP or pharmacist.
Given just how important our intimate health is throughout our lives – and those of our daughters – this is a particularly concerning statistic.
The revelation was made using feedback from a recent study, carried out as part of the #BeVConfident campaign, aimed at smashing the taboo surrounding women’s intimate health.
Experts are calling for more education about intimate health issues, in particular thrush and Bacterial Vaginosis.
While most women will be au-fait with thrush, a fungal infection; what about Bacterial Vaginosis, or BV? Well, this condition is a common infection of the vagina, caused by an overgrowth of atypical bacteria.
If untreated, BV can pose a risk during pregnancy, leading to infertility and pre-term pregnancy.
Given just how important it is to have this condition diagnosed, it’s more than a little concerning to learn that so many women are embarrassed when discussing their intimate health with a trained professional.
And the study – carried out across more than 1000 Irish women – also threw out another alarming statistic: one-in-three Irish women tend to self-diagnose (with the help of Google), while one-in-10 will even ‘wait until the symptoms disappear’! A dangerous game, if ever we heard one!
So, what’s the solution to breaking the taboo? Awareness and education – and those women surveyed even agree.
Indeed, when queried, a staggering 96 per cent of those surveyed said they believe there should be more education on intimate health at a young age.
Pharmacist and campaign spokesperson Maria Oxley Boardman explained: “Women need to be empowered and have the correct information to dispel the myths surrounding intimate health.
“We need to be encouraging women to be more confident so they can become more assured in seeking a diagnosis and treating their own intimate health issues.”
The good news is that it has never been so easy to diagnose and treat BV and thrush. While a product called Canestest will easily detect which condition you are suffering from, Canesbalance will provide an effective treatment for BV.
If you are suffering from thrush, meanwhile, it’s best to consult with your pharmacist on the best course of treatment.
For more information, check out www.intimatehealth.ie.
