Women’s Health is Still an Afterthought – Even for Women Themselves
Ignored and embarrassed… The hidden crisis in Women’s Health
Women’s health is being overlooked—not just by the medical industry but by women themselves. A new survey by PrecisionBiotics® found that only 22% of women choose ‘personal health and wellness’ as a top priority, highlighting how women often put their well-being on the back burner. From juggling work, family, and daily responsibilities to the stigma surrounding female-specific conditions, many women deprioritize their own health, often suffering in silence (the survey also found that 76% of women would rather suffer in silence than talk about vaginal health concerns). This lack of focus on women’s health isn’t just a personal issue—it’s systemic. A report by McKinsey revealed that only 1% of healthcare research and innovation funding was invested in female-specific conditions beyond oncology. The result? Countless women are left without the research, treatments, and support they need to manage their health and reduce any impact on their daily lives.
Women are more likely to experience conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and menopause-related symptoms—yet these issues remain underfunded, under-researched, and often dismissed. Despite the fact that women make up 51% of the population, the lack of investment in female-specific health concerns reinforces the “women’s health gap”, leaving millions struggling without answers. But the problem isn’t just external. This tendency to put personal health towards the bottom of the priority list extends to vaginal health too, with many women feeling so uncomfortable discussing it that they’d rather suffer in silence. The survey by PrecisionBiotics® found that a staggering 83% of women believe there is embarrassment around simply using the word “vagina,” reinforcing the ongoing stigma surrounding female intimate health. As a result, 76% of women admit they would rather suffer in silence than talk about vaginal health concerns—a worrying statistic that highlights the need for more open conversations.
The research also found that embarrassment extends beyond conversation—38% of people say they would feel uncomfortable asking for a vaginal health product in a pharmacy. This discomfort is even more pronounced among younger women, with 42% of those aged 18-29 admitting they would struggle to request help in-store.
Dr Nisa Aslam, GP and adviser to PrecisionBiotics® says: “What many people don’t realise is that the vagina has its own microbiome -a delicate balance of good bacteria that helps maintain a healthy pH level and protect against infections. In the vagina, this ‘community’ is known as the vaginal microbiome, and it is populated mainly by Lactobacillus bacteria. These create an acidic environment that is less conducive for unhealthy bacteria or other microorganisms to grow. Your microbiome is a kind of ‘protective community’ of microorganisms and, like your genome, it is unique to you.”
“When the vaginal microbiome becomes unbalanced, it can result in an overgrowth of potentially harmful bacteria and/or yeast. Lifestyle factors such as diet, sexual activity, stress, using intimate hygiene products and taking antibiotics can affect the balance of bacteria in the vagina, as well as natural fluctuations of oestrogen during the menstrual cycle. When numbers of lactobacilli in the vagina are reduced, there is an increased risk of bacterial infection of the vagina, thrush, recurrent urinary infections and even reduced fertility.”
