Gynecological Health of Teens: This Study Highlights a Blind Spot in the Healthcare System
A groundbreaking survey conducted by Opinion Way for Le Lab HEYME provides an unexpected assessment of the knowledge of 15-28 year-olds regarding sexual and gynecological health. Behind an apparent confidence, our children suffer from significant gaps in understanding infections, menstruation, and consent. As parents, it becomes essential to address these topics to better support them in their intimacy.
A groundbreaking survey conducted by Opinion Way for Le Lab HEYME provides an unexpected assessment of the knowledge of 15-28 year-olds regarding sexual and gynecological health. Behind an apparent confidence, our children suffer from significant gaps in understanding infections, menstruation, and consent. As parents, it becomes essential to address these topics to better support them in their intimacy.
Medical Guidelines and the Cycle Remain Vague
More than one in two women waits until they are between 18 and 24 years old to have their first gynecological consultation. Céline Berardo, General Director of Lab HEYME, explains this gap as a lack of timely information. Furthermore, 71% of young people are unaware of the recommended age for having a Pap smear. Menstrual cycles are not better understood: 70% of respondents do not know the average duration of a cycle, estimating it to be only 15.8 days. Regarding tampon use, more than half mistakenly believe they can be kept in for more than four hours.
Consent Suffers from Concerning Misunderstandings
While adolescents theoretically define consent, practical misunderstandings remain persistent. Thus, 11% of 15-28 year-olds believe that consent is permanent, even if one partner changes their mind during sexual intercourse. This figure rises to 22% among middle and high school students. Additionally, a quarter of young people still think that experiencing pain during intercourse is normal and insignificant, a belief particularly pronounced among secondary school students. In light of these misunderstandings, Céline Berardo reminds us that consent is an ongoing discussion that can evolve at any moment.
Misconceptions About Contraception and Infections
On the contraception front, 55% of adolescents still believe that natural methods, such as the calendar method, effectively prevent pregnancies. In terms of Sexually Transmitted Infections, misinformation circulates freely. More than a quarter of young people are convinced that a vaccine exists for HIV or chlamydia. This figure even reaches 41% among middle and high school students regarding the AIDS virus. Conversely, while an effective vaccine exists for HPV, only just over half of informed young people are vaccinated, far behind Denmark, which approaches 90%.
Family Dialogue Must Prevail Over Screens
To learn about consent, our adolescents massively turn to social media and their friends (82%). School ranks only fourth, with parents in fifth place. This circulation of fragmented information explains the abundance of misconceptions among our children. It becomes crucial to break taboos at home to provide our adolescents a safe, supportive, and scientifically accurate space for dialogue. Openly discussing the menstrual cycle, deconstructing the idea that intercourse can be painful, or emphasizing the importance of condoms are all necessary steps to help them become fully engaged in their health.