O Positiv Health Report Highlights Trust Gap and Low Health Literacy Among Women

O Positiv Health has published its 2026 State of the Vagina Report, presenting survey data that point to significant deficiencies in women’s health literacy and a substantial erosion of trust in healthcare providers. The report is based on responses from 3,169 women between the ages of 18 and 90 and examines knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes spanning menstruation, sexual health, and menopause.

The findings suggest that many women lack foundational understanding of their own biology. According to the report, 96% of respondents were unable to identify the phases of the menstrual cycle, while 69% said they were unsure whether their period was normal. Nearly half of respondents, 46%, reported they were unaware that a vaginal microbiome exists, and 60% said they were never taught about the vagina in school. Brianna Bitton, co-founder of O Positiv Health, said, “I was told what I was experiencing was ‘normal,’ yet there were no real options, no open conversations, and too often, my concerns were dismissed.”

These educational gaps appear to influence both confidence and preparedness. The report found that 84% of women said the education they received was unhelpful to their current sex life, and only 10% felt prepared for pregnancy. In the absence of clear guidance, misinformation has shaped hygiene practices that clinicians often discourage. Sixty percent of respondents said they were confused about what a healthy vagina should smell like. As a result, 59% reported using soap inside the vagina, 27% used washes not designed for intimate areas, and 24% said they douche, despite established medical risks related to infection and microbiome disruption.

The report also documents a pronounced breakdown in trust between women and their OB/GYNs. Sixty-eight percent of respondents said they do not trust their OB/GYN, and the same proportion reported skipping annual visits entirely. Among those surveyed, 60% described their OB/GYN as “out-of-date,” and only 35% felt their doctor was “on their side.” Dr. Roxanne Pero, an OB/GYN and member of O Positiv’s Medical Board, said, “Rebuilding trust requires a healthcare system that prioritizes time, communication, and patient-centered care.”

Stigma emerged as a recurring theme across life stages. Twenty-two percent of women said they cannot say the word “vagina” out loud. During menopause, 86% reported feeling alienated, and 74% said menopause has negatively affected their careers. In sexual health, 68% said they prioritize their partner’s pleasure over their own, and 70% reported feeling shame after masturbation. O Positiv Health stated that addressing these issues will require “systemic change and individual empowerment.”

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