In a collaborative campaign between intimate health brand, Canesten and affordable beauty brand, MUA has found that women’s shame around their genitals is leading to people avoiding medical treatment.
According to Canesten’s research featured in ‘The Truth Undressed’, shame and a lack of adequate education is restricting women’s confidence in accessing medical treatment and even identifying common health conditions.
Alarmingly, they found that 67% of women admitted they would change something about their vulva if they could, which is likely exacerbated by many of us never being taught that all vulvas are a little different.
Terrifyingly, only 6% of UK women aged 16-55 found out about intimate health conditions through school and university education and just under two thirds only found out about vaginal infections when they first experienced them.
This is concerning when you consider that, according to Bupa, some vaginal infections can go on to cause serious complications if you don’t get them treated.
Canesten has created a free online learning resource
Armed with their combined expertise and a determination to bash the stigmas around vulvas and female health, Canesten created The Truth Undressed: a resource for learning more about vulvas and vaginal health.
On the Superdrug website, the brands stated: “By teaming up with national curriculum body The PSHE Association, a new series of teaching resources have been created for use in secondary schools (for ages 11-18).
“In addition, Canesten has launched a dedicated fact-based hub and social videos to empower us all with greater knowledge and access to this vital health information.”
Additionally, MUA has created a makeup collection to further spread awareness.
Daria Costantini, Brand Lead for Canesten, Bayer Consumer Health UK said: “We’re so pleased that through our partnership with MUA we can reach even more young people to stop the shame and speculation surrounding vulval anatomy and vaginal health.
“We’re proud to be partnering with such an accessible and affordable beauty brand that shares our values and belief in breaking boundaries for greater social good.”
Here’s hoping.