O Positiv Health, the women’s wellness brand focused on creating supplements and products that address health issues often overlooked in women, released its 2026 State of the Vagina Report. The 57-page report exploring menstruation, sexual wellness, menopause, OB/GYN care and pregnancy revealed the stigmas and educational gaps that persist for women.
With responses from more than 3,000 women, the report shows only half of women were taught about periods before they first got one, and 43% did not know what it was when they first got one [1]. Of these women, 96% of women were unable to name the phases of the menstrual cycle.
Responses suggest taboo remains around women's genitals and feeling comfortable in their body’s changes and natural progression can be a hurdle for many women, but 86% of women stated they feel alienated during menopause, and 74% say menopause negatively affected their careers [1].
Over 60% of women lack trust and comfort with their OB/GYN, and many women believe their vaginal ecosystem needs constant "fixing. “Gaps in research, education, and preventive care leave many women without the guidance they need, often driving them to rely on unverified sources for answers,” said Roxanne Pero, MD, an OB/GYN from O Positiv's Medical Board of Directors.
“Rebuilding trust requires a healthcare system that prioritizes time, communication and patient-centered care, paired with accessible, evidence-based education that empowers women to understand and care for their bodies," she added.
References:
1-https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0588/9340/2261/files/O_Positiv_-_The_State_of_the_Vagina_Report_2026.pdf?v=1767810676
