Women and Sexual Pain: The Shocking Revelations of Our Opinion Poll

We founded IntyEssentials™ to provide a qualitative response to the following observation: women's intimate well-being is often relegated to the background when it comes to sexuality and products intended for the intimate health of people with vulvas are generally designed to mask natural odors and to make women believe that something is wrong with them. At the same time, we have noticed that many women suffer from intimate discomfort and pain and that there are few treatments designed to meet their specific needs and respect the health of their vulvovaginal mucosa.

80% of women report having been affected at least once in their life by discomfort or pain in the vulvovaginal area. - BVA-IntyEssentials

Our theory was based on the experiences of one of our co-founders, Adnane, who also co-founded the loveshopLovely Sins since 2005. Among the shop's customers, about one in two women who walk through the shop's door suffer from discomfort in the vulvovaginal area (mycoses, frequent cystitis) or pain (dyspareunia, vaginismus). Adnane states that “...these people are often referred to us by health professionals, who are looking for solutions to help them in their daily lives, using intimate care such as lubricant. And it is rarely their first attempt with this type of product. The problem is that most formulas are unsuitable and often contain petrochemical derivatives, problematic preservatives and are rarely respectful of the specific balance of the uro-genital sphere of people with vulvas, leading them into a vicious circle of pain and intimate discomfort.”

But are these theories true? We wanted to find out if these customers’ experiences were, in fact, part of a larger problem. So we decided to partner with BVA-Xsight to conduct an opinion poll on sexual pain among women in France.

Shocking figures: Half of women experience pain during penetrative intercourse

The figures revealed by the survey that we recently conducted in partnership with BVA-Xsight among 1,000 women aged 18 to 65 confirm our findings and reveal a worrying reality: 80% of women say they have been affected at least once in their lives by discomfort or pain in the vulvovaginal area. This is therefore the majority of the female population. This survey, conducted in March 2024, highlights the seriousness of this phenomenon that is still largely unknown. Sexual pain in women is far from being an epiphenomenon!

Significant consequences for sexual life

More than six out of ten women (63%) currently suffer, at least occasionally, from discomfort or pain that prevents them from enjoying a fulfilling sexual experience. The figures are even more alarming when it comes to penetrative sex: 47% of women experience pain sometimes or often during intercourse, and 33% afterwards. Among those affected, 40% report pain equal to or greater than 6 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Negative impact on well-being and emotional life

Genital pain and discomfort significantly affect the quality of life of many women. According to the study, 64% of affected women mentioned at least one negative consequence, such as loss of sexual pleasure (25%), loss of desire (25%) or anxiety about sexual intercourse (22%).

People with vulvas deserve safe and respectful solutions for vaginal flora

IntyEssentials has decided to demonstrate that it is entirely possible to design intimate care products that are both effective and adapted to the specific needs of people with vulvas.

Many intimate cosmetics that exist on the market, although they seem to have been developed with specifications and rigorous tests, have for the most part been formulated to promote male pleasure or to have maximum effectiveness (e.g. glide of a lubricant, maximum shelf life) without always taking into account various important physiological considerations of all the people concerned, in particular those of women and people with vulvas. Indeed, too often, intimate cosmetics are designed to respond to dictates or stereotypes that are harmful to the health of women and people with vulvas: for example, all these intimate gels, gummies or even mists that suggest we perfume, enhance or mask our natural odors to the detriment of the health of our intimate mucous membranes!

We decided to participate in raising the standards by demonstrating that it is entirely possible to design healthy intimate care that is both effective , but also without compromising the health and intimate well-being of all. This is why we launched IntyEssentials™, a brand entirely dedicated to the intimate comfort of people with vulvas. Our first launch includes a complete range of care with a healthy, natural and minimalist composition that respects physiological balances, and truly meets the needs of this population. It includes a lubricant, a gentle intimate cleanser, body oils, a balm (which can be used on intimate areas), vaginal dilators and sexual comfort rings, all designed to improve intimate well-being and prevent discomfort. We said no to filler ingredients, greenwashing, problematic materials and shameful marketing techniques that are very widespread in the field of feminine cosmetics!

Recommendations based on this survey

This survey on sexual pain in women that we conducted in collaboration with BVA Xsight has helped to shed light on the reality of vulvovaginal pain in France. This subject, which remains largely unknown, nevertheless affects a large part of the female population, highlighting the importance of greater awareness and better management.

Here are some avenues of work and recommendations, based on the alarming results of this survey:

Improving access to sex education

It is essential to raise awareness and educate women and people with vulvas on the proper intimate hygiene practices and management of intimate pain. This involves setting up science-based and accessible sex education programs to enable everyone to better understand their bodies and adopt actions that promote their well-being while becoming familiar with the materials, products or habits that can lead to intimate discomfort (such as recurring mycoses, infections, itching, etc.). This involves advice on the importance of using products adapted to the vaginal flora and recognizing the warning signs of potential problems.

Destigmatizing sexual pain in people with vulvas

Breaking the taboo surrounding sexual pain is essential to encourage women and people who suffer from it to seek and receive the support they need. It is important to create an environment where discussions on these topics are open and without judgment. Destigmatization involves raising awareness among the general public, health professionals and partners, so that women no longer hesitate to talk about their pain and discomfort and seek appropriate solutions. Only 50% of the population affected by this scourge speaks to a medical professional and only 3% have consulted a sexologist.

Choose suitable care to reduce discomfort

To reduce intimate discomfort and the risk of irritation that can lead to intimate pain, access to useful, up-to-date and scientifically validated information on problematic ingredients to avoid or those to favor in their intimate care (intimate wash gels, lubricants, balms, etc.) should be increased among populations affected by this phenomenon. Treating physicians, gynecologists, midwives, sex therapists and any other health professional concerned should direct all of their patients towards natural and healthy products free of harmful chemicals. Formulas that respect the vaginal flora, without substances derived from petrochemicals or problematic preservatives, should be favored. Intimate care should be designed to maintain the physiological balance of the vulvovaginal area, thus helping to improve intimate well-being and reduce pain and discomfort in people with vulvas, without compromising the health of their intimate mucous membranes .

Conclusion

Vulvovaginal pain and discomfort are far from being an epiphenomenon and remain, despite this, largely unknown. Indeed, the figures from this survey reveal that a large part of the French female population suffers from them at some point, chronically or occasionally. A large part of these complaints do not always resonate with health professionals, or are even never expressed for fear of judgment or shame or, more striking still; due to a lack of qualitative information. It is therefore urgent to act to raise awareness among the general public about this public health problem that affects the well-being of a large part of the population.

A second analysis on intimate hygiene habits and their impact on intimate well-being as well as other topics related to sexual pain will be published soon. The figures are, once again, worrying. Subscribe to our newsletter to be informed of these publications as soon as they appear!