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For many young women, intimate health issues are the cause of much embarrassment.
In fact, young women are avoiding seeing their doctor altogether and instead relying on advice online, according to worrying new research.
The study found more than a third of 18 to 24 year olds now feel uncomfortable talking to their doctor about intimate health issues.
Online diagnosis: Many women feel more comfortable looking up their symptoms on the internet, than talking to a doctor
While 39 per cent said they would be unlikely to keep an appointment for such a condition if it was with a male GP.
Young women are three times more likely to be embarrassed talking to their GP than over-55s (26 per cent compared to nine per cent), found the research.
And as a result young women are most likely to self-diagnose online, which 92 per cent have done according to the research by women’s healthcare experts Balance Activ.
It seems taking to the internet is now the first port of call as increasing numbers hide their embarrassment behind technology.
More than half of young women (56 per cent) admit searching their condition online within 12 hours.
In contrast, just seven per cent would book an appointment with a healthcare professional in that time.
Indeed, on average it takes young women 22 days to go to see a doctor, nurse or other expert.
Ninety-two per cent of young people asked, admitted to online self-daignosis
And three quarters of young women who self-diagnose (76 per cent) rarely or never go on to buy medicine to treat their condition, potentially leaving conditions to linger on or worsen.
Dr Rosemary Leonard of Balance Activ said: 'Intimate health should not be an embarrassing issue.
'I would urge women of all ages to talk openly about this subject with friends, family or healthcare professionals to ensure they are getting the right advice and treatment.'
The study of 1,000 UK women also showed other ways in which the family doctor is falling out of favour with young adults.
It found that just 28 per cent of young women most trust a GP’s advice.
Yet despite their embarrassment about discussing the matter with their doctor only 24 per cent of 18-24s feel nervous about discussing it on an online forum.
Suggesting the anonymity is what makes them feel comfortable, 80 per cent want a website where advice is given by experts.
Younger women are also more hesitant to speak to family and friends about intimate health issues.
Two thirds cite embarrassment as the reason they wouldn’t ask friends or family for advice.
The over 55s are far less prudish with just 27 per cent feeling this way. Just 19 per cent of this age group would feel uncomfortable discussing intimate matters with their GP.
When younger women do seek advice it seems they are much more likely to do so covertly, with 10 per cent admit they have sought help by pretending they were asking ‘for a friend’.
Meanwhile 52 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds confess they would feel embarrassed or uncomfortable if a friend asked them for advice.
Dr Leonard added: 'Young women’s hesitation to talk about these issues could be why more than half of women don’t know about some very common conditions such as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).
'BV is the most common vaginal condition, affecting one in three women, which can be caused by everyday things such as excessive washing or periods.
'It can have serious implications including putting you more at risk of catching an STI after unprotected sex, or increasing the risk of miscarriage or pre-term birth, so it’s essential to diagnose and treat it correctly.'
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