It's time to Break the Cycle*.

Newsflash: It’s not the 1950s anymore. Talking openly about many intimate health issues is no longer taboo. In fact, it’s encouraged, leading to increased awareness and better health care for people everywhere. So why is it that society and the media still can’t get it together when it comes to women’s issues below the waist? Sadly, this secrecy and shame about all things related to vaginal health have a negative impact on a woman’s body image, self-esteem and overall health.

In a recent survey, 70% of women said they wish society would change the way it talks about vaginal health, but less than half feel like they can do anything about it. U by Kotex* brand wants to help women change the conversation about periods and vaginal care. By bringing it out into the open, we hope that every woman will learn to think differently, talk openly, take charge, help Break the Cycle* and begin to feel comfortable with her body and confident about her personal care.

We asked, you answered.

U by Kotex* brand asked girls all over North America to weigh in on issues from self-esteem and health, to bad advertising and asking a bf to buy tampons. Think that everyone is comfortable with their lady parts and the like? The results might surprise you.

More than 1/2 of women feel that society looks down upon talking about vaginal health.
70% believe that it's time for change, but only 45% feel empowered to make a difference.

72% of women believe that society is more open to discussing men's health.
And 60% of those women feel that they're expected to keep vaginal health issues to themselves.

60% of women are more likely to turn to the Internet than to other women, including their friends or mothers, for information or answers about their vaginal health.

Most women claim to be knowledgeable about vaginal health issues, but more than 1/3 cannot dispel some basic myths.
Nearly 1 in 3 women don't know that a woman can get pregnant if she has sex during her period.

Women with low-esteem are more likely to think of their vaginal area as ugly (58% vs. 29%) and to feel dirty when they have their period (67% vs. 47%).

Even among women with higher levels of self-esteem, nearly a third considers their vaginal area ugly (29%) and worry what their sexual partners might think about how it looks (33%).

More girls put more thought into taking care of their teeth over their vagina.

76% of girls think of infections or disease when thinking about "vaginal health."

28% of girls are not comfortable looking at their vagina in the mirror.

17% of girls don't have a good understanding of what makes up their vaginal area.

More girls rely on the media over a teacher or school nurse for vaginal health information.

28% of girls wish they could talk to their boyfriend, husband or significant other about vaginal health.

64% of girls wish they could talk to their doctor about vaginal health.