Dr Sarah Jarvis
Research by Balance Activ, the experts on intimate health, has revealed the disparity between women’s attitudes and practices towards looking good ‘down below’ and their lack of knowledge about basic vaginal health including BV (Bacterial vaginosis) - a serious but treatable condition that will affect 1 in 3 women in Britain from the age of 15 upwards.
Despite its prevalence, 57% of women have never heard of BV, with women in their teens, 40s, 50s and 60s the most unaware.
Interestingly the research, which was commissioned in a bid to get women talking more freely about vaginal health, has shown that whilst most women are perfectly happy to go to extremes in their intimate grooming (i.e.vajazzling) and talk openly about it, there is still massive ignorance and embarrassment surrounding one of the most unfortunate women’s health conditions.
BV can have a disastrous effect on a woman’s life due to being misinformed and often misdiagnosed by their GP. Whilst only 53% of women would actually talk to their GP in the first place about their disturbing symptoms which can destroy sex lives, impact on work place relationships and cause the individual to become subjected to taunting and teasing, worryingly 47% are too afraid to seek professional advice.
Dr Sarah Jarvis explains: "Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal condition that can produce vaginal discharge from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina.
"When these multiple species of bacteria become imbalanced, a woman can have a vaginal discharge with a foul fishy odor. The discharge is usually thin and greyish white and more noticeable after sexual intercourse.
"It is therefore crucial that more is done to raise awareness about the condition so that woman can feel empowered about seeking an effective quick treatment such Balance Activ Gel to help combat the problem and take control of their vaginal health.
"What’s more, many women suffering from BV often think their condition is something far worse such as an STD or cancer due to lack of information and become extremely anxious."
Whilst researchers have had difficulty determining exactly what causes bacterial vaginosis certain factors have been identified that increase the chances of developing the condition. These include multiple or new sexual partners, intrauterine devices for contraception, recent antibiotic use and vaginal douching.
Whilst it appears that many women are embarrassed or lack the knowledge when it comes to BV, they are far more ‘in the know’ when it comes to keeping their ‘lady garden’ in tact.
Keeping Up Appearances:
- Overall 44% of women want to look good for their partner and themselves - with 28% doing it solely for themselves
- 34% of women ( from teens to women in their 50’s) think that discussing vajazzling, Brazilian waxing etc is a perfectly open subject and would discuss it with friends - including what they’ve tried!.... Essex Girls are least likely to talk about vajazzling openly
- 42% of UK women would, or have, vajazzled
- Brits are most likely to trim the length or shave the edges to make their lady garden look neater (62%) rather than go for the Brazilian (10%), Hollywood (6%), vajazzle (7%) or use colour (4%)
- The percentages of women who would do it for both themselves and their partners declined with each decade, 20’s (67%), 30’s (54%), 40’s (45%), 50’s (35%) and 60’s (21%)
- 17% of women in the UK felt their partner expects them to make their vajayjay more interesting or attractive - the highest percentages were in their 20’s (30%) and 30’s (30%)