One in two French people finds it difficult to open up about their intimate life, especially with those around them.
- STIs are on the rise, especially among those under 30.
- With the drop in the number of screenings since the health crisis, professionals are worried about a snowball effect.
According to a new survey by the YouGov Institute for Livi, sexually transmitted infections are still a completely taboo subject for 24% of the 453 French women questioned, especially among young people (29%).
Increase in sexually transmitted infections
“Syphilis, gonorrhea or even chlamydia, sexually transmitted infections increased by 30% in 2020 and 2021”, indicates Doctor Maxime Cauterman, specialist in public health and social medicine. “It is therefore necessary to multiply the screening channels. We must also maintain collective vigilance and the prevention effort around HIV, in particular among the youngest and certain populations at risk”, he continues.
Among 18-54 year olds, the subjects women dare to talk about the least are, after STIs: pregnancy and abortion (20%), menstruation (15%), endometriosis (15%), sexuality (11%), contraception (11%) and menopause (6%).
46% of French women find it difficult to indulge in their intimate life
More generally, 46% of French women find it difficult to open up about their intimate life, especially to those around them. 47% also think that teleconsultation is a good lever to free them from their inhibitions.
“I remain convinced that the attending physician is the preferred contact, but I have also noticed that being too close was not always easy to broach these subjects. So I am convinced that e-health services have their role to play”, comments Maxime Cauterman.
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