HALF of women don’t know their vagina from their vulva
Just 35 per cent of women were able to correctly identify the different parts of their reproductive organs
Half of women don't know where there vagina is - and just over a third can correctly label the female anatomy.
The alarming figures were revealed by leading gynaecological charity The Eve Appeal, who also revealed women are better at identifying the male anatomy - with six out of ten able to identify the foreskin, penis and testes.
Just 35 per cent could correctly label the female anatomy, with two thirds unable to identify the vulva and 48 per cent the cervix or the vagina.
The charity are now urging women to get to know their bodies better as it could save their lives.
A shocking 21 women in the UK die every day from vulval, vaginal, cervical, womb or ovarian cancer but many women are still unaware of the risks.
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CEO Athena Lamnisos said: “Body confidence is important, but body knowledge is absolutely vital, and our research has shown that women don’t know their vaginas from their vulvas.
“We’re imploring women to understand and be aware of what to listen out for. They need to know what’s normal for them.
"They need to be able to talk openly about periods, irregular bleeding and any changes that they notice to their bodies. That is why, at The Eve Appeal, we’re determined to change this by asking women across the UK to get to know their bodies this September and beyond.”
And the charity are calling on women to break the taboo and start talking about their bodies as they gear up for Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month.
Specialist gynaecological cancer information nurse, Tracie Miles said: “Body knowledge is vital from the time young girls begin to experience puberty, to their first sexual experience right through to motherhood and eventually the menopause.
"However, the lack of basic knowledge about the female body or conversations around how the female anatomy works, is extremely worrying - how can we expect women to know what to look out for in terms of unexpected changes in their vagina or vulva or to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a gynaecological cancer, if they’re not body aware.
“It is a proven fact that early diagnosis of women’s cancers can save lives, therefore it really is never too early to start educating young girls about their bodies by having frank, honest conversations with them, rather than hiding behind embarrassment or taboo.”
The lack of basic knowledge about the female body or conversations around how the female anatomy works, is extremely worrying
Tracie Miles
Research by the charity also revealed that few women are aware of gynaecological cancer despite it being the second biggest cancer killer of women in the UK and claiming half-a-million lives a year worldwide.
Thirteen per cent of women could not name a single gynaecological cancer, and eight per cent of women incorrectly said breast cancer was a gynaecological cancer.
A shocking one in five women cannot name a single symptom and a third of 16 to 35-year-olds avoid going to the doctors about gynae issues because they're too embarrassed.
There are five gynaecological cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vaginal and vulval.
Each type of cancer has different symptoms but common symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.
polled 1,000 women of different ages across the UK.