Cé chomh maith is a bhíonn a gcorp ar eolas ag mná?

September is Sexual Health Awareness Month. You might be surprised to learn that, even with the progress we’ve made toward expanding sexual health information, it’s still very common for women to lack knowledge about their own bodies! How common is this issue, and why?

Cé chomh maith is a bhíonn a gcorp ar eolas ag mná?

While men may have slightly more difficulty designating female reproductive anatomy, it’s also difficult for women. Intimina, a manufacturer of reusable menstrual and women’s health products, conducted a Vótáil 2020 which found that one in four women can’t correctly identify the vagina, and nearly half can’t properly locate the cervix. It’s unsurprising to learn that there were also many misconceptions about menstruation and its purpose. In short, many women don’t understand the specifics of their reproductive and sexual health.

Why Don’t Women Understand Their Bodies?

There are many deeply nuanced reasons for this. Here are just a few in detail:

Teachers and Parents

In the same poll, nearly a quarter to one-third of respondents said that teachers and parents were to blame for their lack of reproductive and sexual health knowledge. There can be many reasons why teachers and parents aren’t equipped to teach their students and daughters about proper anatomy and functions, such as lack of funding or resources, religious teachings about female reproduction and sexuality, and even a lack of understanding of these issues themselves!

Easpa Maoirseachta

Many women receive their sexual and reproductive health education at a public or religious school. However, these institutions don’t always adhere to high standards of sexual education, leaving many women confused. In fact, one in four respondents said their lack of knowledge was due to religious organizations and government education standards.

Medical Discrimination

It might shock you to learn that prior to 1993, women weren’t widely included in clinical trials. Today, women’s health is seen as a separate, “specialty” area of medicine, while male anatomy (of any kind) is considered the standard. This continues to perpetuate practitioners who know less than they should about women’s health in general, and specifically women’s reproductive and sexual health. If practitioners don’t know enough about women’s health, then women who need medical advice and treatment are left without the care and education they need.

Cén Fáth go bhfuil sé Tábhachtach?

Knowledge gaps about your own body can put you at a severe disadvantage when seeking help from an industry that already disincentivizes women seeking care. According to Intimina’s poll, one-half of respondents thought their lack of knowledge made it difficult to advocate for themselves when seeking care at their doctor’s office. Not getting the care they need can put women at risk of severe health problems that they may not even understand in the first place! Better education about reproductive and sexual health can create better outcomes for women, especially when they understand their bodies and when something is wrong.

Intimate Healthcare at Tideline Center for Health & Aesthetics

At Tideline Center for Health & Aesthetics, we firmly believe that women deserve a strong advocate for sexual and reproductive health. We offer a team of saineolaithe sláinte dlúth devoted to helping you feel comfortable in your body. To learn more, contact our office today by calling or filling out our Foirm ar líne. We are conveniently located in Lake Success, NY.