Young women are avoiding smear tests because they’re embarrassed about the look or smell of their vaginas, a new survey has found.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said 34% of women surveyed were too embarrassed to attend cervical screening because of the appearance of their vulva, while 31% admitted they wouldn’t go if they hadn’t waxed or shaved their bikini area and 38% avoided going over concerns about their vagina’s smell.
Of the 2,017 women surveyed, more than one in three said embarrassment has caused them to delay attending a smear test.