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| How dangerous can the shame of naming genitalia be for women's health? |
Doctors have warned that the shame associated with the names of genitalia is a threat to women's health.
Dr. Aziza Sesay says that the hypersexualization of women's bodies and organs (presenting them as mere sexual acts) 'increases feelings of stigma and shame.'
This, they say, prevents women from getting the medical help they need.
Dr. Azizah of the British National Health Service (NHS) posts content on social media to help women overcome language barriers along with sex education. However, he says that this task can be difficult.
"I face censorship because when you write vulva, vagina or clitoris in the caption, the engagement (reaction to the post) can decrease because the algorithm automatically thinks it's something inappropriate," she says. Or it's porn.'
Even simple images of female anatomy or body parts in online content can be considered 'sensitive'. It warns people that the image in question may be 'disturbing' if they open it.
Dr. Aziza said 'Women do not need to be ashamed of their genitals.'
'They are like normal organs, like your head, shoulders, knees, or feet.'
She says that often women's health problems are not considered harmful and are dismissed as not life-threatening. However, she opposes the term because it downplays the impact it has on one's life.
After the global pandemic, medical aid began to be given importance to those cases that did not require immediate attention. The number of people who have been waiting for their turn for many years has increased. The situation improved slightly in the summer of 2022 when just under eight thousand women in Wales alone were reported to have been waiting more than a year for their first gynecological appointment. At the same time, the cost of medical care is also increasing.
Dr. Sesay is one of the gynecologists who will be attending Cardiff's 'Every Woman Festival' on June 24. Various topics from menstruation to menopause will be discussed here.
Dr. Michelle Olver is a sexual health and menopause specialist at the NHS. He says that patients are not the only ones who feel constrained by language.
He says, 'A symptom before menopause and during menopause is vaginal dryness and itching, while the patient's desire for sexual activity also decreases. All these symptoms occur simultaneously.
She explains that women will not want to have sex because of the swelling in the vagina. But it has been researched many times that medical personnel are reluctant to talk about sex and are unable to ask where the pain is in the vagina.
Talking in a distressing manner can sometimes be beneficial to the patient. If the medical staff is reluctant to talk about sex, it will be difficult for women to talk about these things too.
Part of her job, she says, is to overcome the reluctance of medical staff.
This is the question of my daughters' future.
The festival was founded by colorectal surgeon Julie Cornish, who works for Cardiff and Vale Health Board.
Symptoms that cause embarrassment are often not discussed, she says.
It is not unusual to meet patients who have lived with these symptoms for 10 to 15 years. It got to the point where they had to give up their jobs or their (romantic) relationships broke up.
"People retire early, stop working, and stop meeting people. Delay often means that the condition gets worse. Then they need surgery instead of physiotherapy, a special diet, and small changes in routine. These problems could have been solved easily earlier.
She talks about these topics throughout this festival. He says that better facilities can be provided only by discussing these topics. "I think there's a pre-existing autonomy and voice in some groups in society that makes women say, 'I'm not happy with this, I need help.'"
'But there are many communities in Wales where it is still a big problem. It is like a barrier for women.
"I am passionate about this subject," she says. It is important for my daughters.
"I want them to be able to go on and live in a world where this conversation is easy." Where they can access facilities and not accept a poor standard of living.'