In today’s world, where we have unprecedented access to information and healthcare, it’s easy to assume that women feel empowered to speak openly about their health and seek care. However, shame and stigma still cast shadows over many aspects of women’s health, particularly when it comes to conditions that may feel sensitive or embarrassing. From reproductive health issues, to mental health struggles or menopause, fear and shame can discourage women from talking about their health and seeking the care they need.
Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach. We must work to break down the cultural barriers that perpetuate stigma and encourage open, honest conversations. Healthcare providers, educators, researchers, and community leaders all have roles in fostering an environment where women feel safe and supported in discussing their health concerns.
Research can play a crucial role in helping to alleviate the shame associated with sensitive health topics by contributing to better understanding and normalizing conditions. By sharing evidence-based information, research can challenge societal taboos and encourage more open discussions. This empowers individuals to seek medical help without fear of judgement, increases public awareness, and ultimately results in better health outcomes. Additionally, research findings can guide healthcare providers in offering compassionate and informed care, further reducing the stigma and shame that patients may feel.
Examples are conditions like painful periods and painful sex, which are common yet often shrouded in stigma. The stigma stretches into the realm of sexuality, where age-old taboos make it hard to discuss and address problems like STIs. Fertility issues, too, bring confusion and embarrassment, leaving many women without support that could otherwise help them. Even menopause, a universal experience, is frequently surrounded by shame, highlighting how deeply these stigmas run.
Researchers across the Women’s Health Collective Canada (WHCC) member foundations are working to better understand stigmas can be reduced, and to foster open, evidence-based conversations about women’s health.
One example is Dr. Jane Schulz, a professor and chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta, and the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation Chair in Women’s Health Research. Dr. Schulz’s research focuses on urinary incontinence, a condition often accompanied by embarrassment. In an interview with the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Dr. Schulz stated, “Body fluids do not faze us. We want to see what is going on so we can help people.” Dr. Schulz works to treat patients while also researching the extent to which women may be inhibited from seeking care due to shame or stigma. Some of Dr. Schulz’s past research shows the issue is even worse for new Canadians. “Women from marginalized or minority populations simply suffer in silence,” she said. Understanding this means that strategies can be developed or adapted to meet people where they are and help them get the care they need.
In British Columbia, Dr. Lori Brotto, the executive director of the Women’s Health Research Institute and director of UBC’s Sexual Health Laboratory, works to understand how various factors impede healthy sexuality. Dr. Brotto’s compassionate and supportive approach is a great example of how open conversation around a potentially sensitive topic like sexual desire and arousal, can help mitigate shame and improve women’s lives in a tangible way.
Research in this area was also highlighted in “Between Us: An Interactive Talk on Painful Sex,” an online panel hosted by the Urogynecology Wellness Clinic at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women which featured Dr. Annick Poirier, Dr. Lana Myroniuk, Dr. Erin Kelly, and Dr. May Sanaee, who discussed painful sex and related health conditions. The panel highlighted that up to 75% of women will experience pain during sex at some point in their lives, yet this issue is often overlooked because of its taboo nature.Panels and public awareness campaigns like these are crucial in the effort to destigmatize women’s health and redefine what is “normal”.
Despite being a universal experience for women, menopause is another area where stigma and feelings of shame may inhibit women from seeking care. They may avoid seeking medical advice or exploring treatments that could significantly improve their quality of life. By perpetuating the idea that menopause is something to be hidden or endured quietly, this stigma not only impacts women’s physical well-being but also their emotional and mental health.
At Women’s College Hospital, Dr. Iliana Lega and Dr. Michelle Jacobson are exploring treatment options for menopausal women. They identify that a lack of public awareness about treatments, such as hormone therapy, coupled with the shame and stigma surrounding menopause, prevents many women from seeking care.
Across WHCC’s member foundations, groundbreaking work is underway to combat the shame and misinformation around certain topics in women’s health by moving research forward. These dedicated researchers are united in their mission, striving to create a world where every woman can access the care and support she needs without fear or shame.
