Most men do not know the difference between the vagina and vulva, nor were comfortable discussing gynecological health issues, according to a new survey.
The survey, conducted by The Eve Appeal for Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month, also asked 1,000 men to label the vagina on a diagram of a vagina, vulva, cervix, ovaries and the Fallopian tubes. Only 500 correctly labeled the vagina.
The vagina is the muscular “tube” inside the woman’s body — where sexual intercourse takes place.
However, many men believe that the vulva — the external female sexual organs comprising the labia and clitoris, among other parts — is, in fact, the vagina.
Athena Lamnisos of The Eve Appeal said: “Men can play a vital role in identifying the symptoms of gynecological cancer, prompting their partners to visit the GP. Early diagnosis can save lives.”
Gynecological cancers are wide-ranging and if you experience certain symptoms, you should seek medical advice.
These include abnormal bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain, sores or swelling on the vulva, bloating and needing to urinate more often.
Janice Rymer of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said: “The alarming results of this survey highlight the need for better sex education.”
They also found that only 10 percent of men are confident they could identify their other half’s privates in a lineup. And just one in five men thought his partner’s lady garden attractive.
Experts said each is “very distinct” but blamed couples only ever having sex under the covers or in the dark.
Sex therapist Dr. Andrea Pennington, author of “The Orgasm Prescription For Women,” said: “Women often feel very uncomfortable with their bodies, so men don’t get the chance to see.”