![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/lifestyle\/health\/article31128891.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-646335939.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFour in ten women (42%) feel health issues such as abortion, menopause, and menstruation are \u201cprivate matters\u201d \u2013 and a fifth admit they would be embarrassed to discuss such topics, even with close family members. <\/p>\n
A poll of 5,022 women discovered that many still consider topics such as sexual health to be \u201ctaboo\u201d \u2013 and 24% feel the same way about mental health.<\/p>\n
In fact, over a third of 18-34-year-olds (34%) feel there is a stigma around discussing mental health \u2013 although this falls to just 13% of those aged 55 and over.<\/p>\n
When it comes to addressing and overcoming such stigmas around women's health, 55% feel the government is not doing enough on a societal level.<\/p>\n
And 65% believe education needs to start at school \u2013 while three in five think the mainstream media needs to receive, and distribute, more accurate data and information.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, 36% have encountered social media posts about women's health, that have been hidden due to \u201csensitive content\u201d \u2013 with 46% consequently calling for an end to such censorship.<\/p>\n
And only 19% believe that information posted on women\u2019s issues by health and wellbeing social media accounts is completely, or even mostly, accurate.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The report was created by research agency OnePoll, whose spokeswoman, Amy Price, said: \u201cTaboos around women's health perpetuate inequality. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt's time to challenge these norms, and ensure that women's well-being is a priority in every conversation. We can no longer afford to overlook women's health issues due to societal taboos.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study also found 16% have taken steps to reduce their stress levels, as a result of a women\u2019s health issue.<\/p>\n
This was slightly higher among 18-24-year-olds (20%), 45-54-year-olds (19%), those in full-time employment (18%), and those with children aged five to 11 (20%) \u2013 and lower for those who are white (15%).<\/p>\n
Just over three-quarters (76%) also believe they would not have been able to make life changes without the support of people around them \u2013 as more than half (60%) say they would actively talk and share a personal women\u2019s health issue with close family members.<\/p>\n
Gareth Lucy, spokesman for hygiene and health company Essity, said: \u201cWhat\u2019s particularly shocking about the taboos and stigma surrounding women\u2019s health is that in some cases, we\u2019re not talking about health matters that only a minority of women experience \u2013 we\u2019re talking about matters that all women experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, menstruation and menopause are a fact of life, so it seems incomprehensible that these are taboo subjects. Whatever barriers are preventing women from being able to talk openly and candidly about their health need to be broken down.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe research tells us there\u2019s a problem \u2013 now it\u2019s up to government, industry, and healthcare professionals to work together and provide the solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amy Price, for OnePoll.com, added: \u201cAvoiding taboo topics doesn't make them disappear, it only perpetuates the stigma.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen and men need to have courageous conversations, and create spaces for healing and change. Breaking taboos is not about shock value \u2013 it's about opening the door to understanding and acceptance.\u201d<\/p>\n
TOP FIVE AREAS OF WOMEN\u2019S HEALTH STILL CONSIDERED TABOO IN GENERAL SOCIETY:<\/p>\n