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Women's top reproductive worries revealed Young women 'not having enjoyable sex'
(35 minutes later)
Avoiding an unwanted pregnancy is women's biggest reproductive concern, a survey by Public Health England suggests. Almost half of women aged 25-34 do not have an enjoyable sex life, a survey by Public Health England suggests.
More than 7,000 women responded to the first poll of its kind launched by the health body to guide future policy. About 7,000 women over the age of 16 responded to the first poll of its kind launched by the health body to guide future policy on reproductive health.
Having an enjoyable sex life and managing painful and/or embarrassing symptoms such as heavy periods came second and third. Sexual satisfaction appeared to increase with age - less than a third of women aged 55-64 reported a lack of enjoyable sex in the past 12 months.
Catching a sexually transmitted disease was seventh on the concern list. Avoiding an unwanted pregnancy was the women's biggest concern overall.
Managing painful, heavy periods was the third most common reproductive worry, while having an enjoyable sex life was second.
Going for reproductive health screening, including smear tests, was fourth, "Other" reproductive health symptoms was fifth. And difficulty getting pregnant was sixth.Going for reproductive health screening, including smear tests, was fourth, "Other" reproductive health symptoms was fifth. And difficulty getting pregnant was sixth.
Catching a sexually transmitted disease was seventh on the list.
What happens during a smear test?What happens during a smear test?
Different issues took on relatively greater or lesser importance at different stages of a woman's life.Different issues took on relatively greater or lesser importance at different stages of a woman's life.
The women who responded were aged 16 and older and living in England.The women who responded were aged 16 and older and living in England.
Among other findings:Among other findings:
About a third of the women had experienced severe reproductive health symptoms in the past 12 months, ranging from heavy menstrual bleeding to menopause, and incontinence to infertility.About a third of the women had experienced severe reproductive health symptoms in the past 12 months, ranging from heavy menstrual bleeding to menopause, and incontinence to infertility.
In-depth interviews revealed that these symptoms often affected women's ability to carry out daily activities, yet many concealed their symptoms from work colleagues.In-depth interviews revealed that these symptoms often affected women's ability to carry out daily activities, yet many concealed their symptoms from work colleagues.
Embarrassment commonly acted as a barrier to accessing knowledge or support.Embarrassment commonly acted as a barrier to accessing knowledge or support.
Angela Kilcoyne, who took part in a PHE focus group, said: "Since I was 13, I have felt embarrassed about having heavy menstrual bleeding - a health issue which has caused me debilitating pain and nausea. I worked for years in banking, which was a very male dominated environment, and I never told my managers that I was off due to horrendous period pain.Angela Kilcoyne, who took part in a PHE focus group, said: "Since I was 13, I have felt embarrassed about having heavy menstrual bleeding - a health issue which has caused me debilitating pain and nausea. I worked for years in banking, which was a very male dominated environment, and I never told my managers that I was off due to horrendous period pain.
"I would have to invent reasons month after month and soldier on. Or I would dose myself up and try and get through the day best I could, then collapse when I got home. Reproductive health should be spoken about in the workplace in the same way as sickness or flu.""I would have to invent reasons month after month and soldier on. Or I would dose myself up and try and get through the day best I could, then collapse when I got home. Reproductive health should be spoken about in the workplace in the same way as sickness or flu."
Dr Sue Mann, public health consultant in reproductive health, from Public Health England, said: "Women's reproductive health concerns can fundamentally influence physical and mental wellbeing throughout their whole life course. Dr Sue Mann, public health consultant in reproductive health, from Public Health England, said: "Enjoying a fulfilling sex life is important for women's mental and emotional wellbeing. Our data show that sexual enjoyment is a key part of good reproductive health and that while many women are reporting sexual dysfunction, many are not seeking help.
"Our research has highlighted that while individual reproductive health issues and concerns change throughout a woman's life, the feelings of stigmatisation and embarrassment were almost universal. "Our research shows that there is still stigma associated with talking about reproductive health issues which is a barrier to women seeking help. This is particularly true in the workplace where many women do not feel comfortable speaking to their managers about the real reasons for needing to take time off work. We want to empower women to educate themselves about good reproductive health and to feel confident speaking about it."
"The report reveals the need for an open and supportive approach in the workplace and in the health system.
"We encourage women to seek support from their workplace, and for workplace management to be aware of how reproductive health symptoms can affect women's daily life."
Public Health England is drawing up a five-year action plan to promote women's reproductive health.Public Health England is drawing up a five-year action plan to promote women's reproductive health.