As an OB-GYN working in a busy gyne outpatient clinic, I often meet women who hesitate to talk about issues they find embarrassing. Their body language—leaning forward, avoiding eye contact—almost tells you what’s coming next:
“I have this foul-smelling vaginal discharge…”
“I can’t hold my pee…”
“Sex is too painful for me…”
“After menopause I feel like I’m not enough for my partner…”
“My period pain is severe, but everyone says it’s normal…”
Which women’s health topics stay taboo?
Many health issues that affect women are pushed aside or treated as off-limits. Talking about them can feel shameful or too personal, so women often suffer alone when they need support most.
Menstrual issues
Menstrual problems remain surrounded by myths and silence. People still assume women’s feelings are just ruled by hormones, which discourages honest talk. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is often brushed off, and girls are taught to accept period pain as “normal.” But severe cramps can be disabling and may signal conditions like endometriosis. Breaking the silence is key so women can get the care they need.
Sexual health
Concerns like unusual vaginal discharge and infections are also stigmatized. Many women try home remedies or unproven products before seeing a doctor. There’s still limited awareness about safe sexual practices, contributing to a higher burden of sexually transmitted infections. Compassionate, nonjudgmental care and open education about safe sex are vital.
Intimate wellness
Problems such as painful sex, low arousal, and reduced sexual pleasure are often kept secret, which fuels myths and harms self-esteem. Issues like vaginal laxity or changes in sensation after childbirth can be treated with minimally invasive procedures, and aging or childbirth-related changes don’t have to end a satisfying sex life. Talking openly about these concerns and available treatments helps women feel more confident and supported.
Birth control and abortion
In some communities, contraception and abortion are taboo, which limits knowledge about birth control options. When contraceptive use is stigmatized, unwanted pregnancies rise and unsafe abortions become more common. Many women in low-resource settings have repeated induced abortions because they don’t know about—or can’t access—long-acting reversible methods. Open, honest conversations would reduce stigma and help women make safer, informed choices.
Menopause
Menopause—often called “the change”—is another area shrouded in silence. Society sometimes treats it as a sign of decline, which can make women feel less feminine or hesitant to seek help. Yet many women spend a third of their lives after menopause, so addressing symptoms like hot flashes and focusing on bone health and osteoporosis prevention is important. A supportive environment encourages women to seek care and advice.
A way forward
Community health education is urgently needed. Even now, many real health problems are dismissed as “just part of being a woman” or are never talked about because they’re seen as embarrassing. Women, who are often primary caregivers, deserve the same attention and care for their own health. Breaking taboos through education and support helps women make informed choices about their bodies and well-being.
About the Author
Dr. Jehan Ara is a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist with more than 10 years of clinical experience. She works as an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a medical school and supervises postgraduate residents in the affiliated teaching hospital. Dr. Jehan also writes regularly on women’s health and is committed to helping women understand their bodies and make informed health decisions.