It has been revealed that 63.8% of female college students feel symptoms unique to women but do not think that they “lead to illness” *Berta Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 3, 2024
It has been revealed that 63.8% of female college students feel symptoms unique to women but do not think that they “lead to illness” *Survey on the actual situation of “gynecological examinations” among 147 female college students*
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BELTA, a women’s life stage brand operated by BELTA Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), targets 147 current female college students and megaphONE, a student group that listens to the silent voices and concerns of female college students and communicates them to society. We jointly conducted an “awareness survey regarding gynecological examinations.” *
* A project that conveys the reality of female college students’ health and sexuality *
BELTA, which has been working closely with women’s concerns as they change their life stages, will launch a collaborative project with the student organization megaphONE in 2022, with the hope that women will start paying attention to their bodies and health from an early stage based on the voices of women. I did. The project conducts surveys on various themes related to health and sexuality among female university students, and communicates the concerns and actual situations faced by these women to society at large.
*The theme of the 5th survey was “gynecological examinations by female college students”*
These days, women of all ages are encouraged to “make a personal gynecologist” for their health. On the other hand, it is said that some women feel resistance or hurdles to going to a gynecologist. In this survey, we asked how many female college students had actually seen a gynecologist, what prompted them to see a gynecologist, and what changes they noticed in their mind and body after visiting the doctor.
*The gynecological examination rate among female college students is 38.8%* First, we asked female college students about their experiences visiting a gynecologist.
When asked, “Have you ever visited a gynecologist?”, 38.8% of the respondents answered “Yes.”
* Female college students don’t see a gynecologist because they don’t feel it’s necessary *
Looking at the results of this survey, it appears that more than half of female college students have never visited a gynecologist.
So, for those who have already visited a gynecologist, what are the reasons for doing so?
When asked about the reason why they visited a gynecologist, the answers were: *Menstrual problems (57.9%)*
received the most responses. There are many other people who seek medical treatment for a variety of reasons, and the reasons for seeking medical treatment and symptoms vary from person to person.
*Causes and reasons for visiting a gynecologist*
・Information from public institutions such as cervical cancer screening ・I want you to prescribe medicine or Chinese herbal medicine (including pills and after-the-day pills)
・Because I felt symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease
・To shift menstruation
・Because I felt anxious about my health
– Someone close to you has a gynecological disease.
・My family and friends recommended that I see a doctor.
On the other hand, when we asked people who had never seen a gynecologist about the reason for not seeing a gynecologist, the most common answer was “I don’t have any concerns about my health and I don’t really feel it’s necessary (40%).”
It seems that some people feel symptoms but don’t know the criteria for seeing a doctor or hold back, and some people don’t see a gynecologist due to hurdles.
* What changes have you noticed in your mind and body after visiting a gynecologist? *
When we asked people who had actually visited a gynecologist what kind of “changes” had occurred before and after their visit, we received a variety of comments.
* ■Body changes*
“I was able to gain knowledge about medicines, was prescribed medicines that were suitable for me, and my symptoms improved.” “I am taking the pill to treat dysmenorrhea. My menstrual pain has disappeared.” “By taking the pill, I no longer have to worry about getting pregnant. The doctors are conscientious and easy to talk to, and my periods have become easier.”
“My menstrual cycle has become regular.”
* ■Change in consciousness*
“Before I went to see a gynecologist, I felt like there was a barrier to going to a gynecologist because it was difficult to go to, but after actually going to see a gynecologist, I realized that it is a place where you can feel free to consult. Ta.”
“I was worried after seeing the information online, but I felt relieved after receiving a professional diagnosis.”
“I had the image of pregnant women going there, but I felt that it was a place that you could go to no matter what worries you had.” “Before I went, I was a little embarrassed, but I was relieved that I was able to solve my problems.I don’t think I’ll be as embarrassed the next time I go.”
“I thought gynecology was a hospital for people with babies in their bellies or for infertility treatment, but that’s not the case; many people with menstrual problems, such as menstrual pain, come to the hospital, and it’s surprising how old they are. I learned that there are some young people.
Of the female college students who visited a gynecologist and answered that they felt a change (54.4%), more than 80% seemed to feel a positive change.
*Some people feel gynecological symptoms but do not think that they are linked to illness*
The most common reason for not seeing a gynecologist was “I don’t have any concerns about my health and don’t really feel the need (40%),” but the most common reason for not seeing a gynecologist was “I don’t feel it’s necessary because I don’t have any health concerns” (40%); Isn’t that the case?
When I asked people who had never seen a gynecologist, “Have you ever felt any symptoms of a disease unique to women?”, I found that all of them had experienced some kind of symptoms.
The most common symptom experienced was “irregular menstruation” (58.9%).
In addition to severe menstrual pain, anemia, premenstrual syndrome, and abnormal vaginal discharge, some people also experience symptoms such as irregular bleeding, hot flashes, sexually transmitted infections, and pain during sexual intercourse.
Furthermore, when asked, “Have you ever thought that the symptoms you are experiencing could lead to a serious illness?” 63.8%, more than half, answered “No.”
* Summary of survey results *
* 38.8% of female college students have visited a gynecologist* * ・The reasons for visiting a gynecologist vary from person to person, but the most common reason is “irregular menstruation” *
* ・The most common reason for not seeing a gynecologist is “I don’t feel the need to see a doctor” *
* ・More than half of female college students feel changes in their physical and mental health after seeing a gynecologist*
* ・More than 80% of people who feel a change in their mind and body after visiting a gynecologist feel a positive change *
* ・All female college students who have never seen a gynecologist experience some kind of gynecological symptoms*
Through this survey, we learned about the gynecological symptoms faced by female college students and their image of visiting a gynecologist. Only 1 in 2 to 3 people have visited a gynecologist, but more than half of those who have seen a gynecologist feel changes in their physical and mental health, and more than 80% of them feel positive changes. It seems that
In addition, the survey revealed that there are a certain number of people who feel gynecological symptoms but do not feel the need to see a doctor.
Behind the scenes of irregular menstruation, abnormal bleeding, and menstrual pain, there may be a hidden serious disease such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. Additionally, as can be seen from the experiences of people who have actually visited a gynecologist, it seems that pain such as menstrual pain can be improved by visiting a gynecologist and receiving appropriate treatment.
If you are experiencing even the slightest gynecological symptoms, why not consult a gynecologist?
*About the collaborative project between women’s life stage brand BELTA and student organization megaphONE*
A collaborative project launched as part of the spread of
preconception care*. Since 2022, we have been conducting surveys and awareness activities targeting female college students. What female college students think about health and sexuality does not necessarily match what working people think about health and sexuality. By focusing on this gap and communicating the worries and current situation faced by female college students to the world, we provide an opportunity for female college students and women around the world to think about their own bodies, health, and sexuality. We are promoting project activities with the desire to reduce the number of people who think, “I should have done this more when I was younger” or “I wish I had known sooner.”
*Results from a past survey on “sexuality and health of female college students”*
https://belta.co.jp/questionnaire_report/
*Student organization megaphONE*
A student organization run by current university students. By listening to the voiceless voices of female college students and disseminating them to society and students, we aim to close the gap between students and working adults. The organization’s name reflects our desire to be a “loudspeaker” that sends messages to society and students, and our desire to cherish our individual existence. https://megaph1.wixsite.com/megaph1
* 【Company Profile】*
Company name: Bertha Co., Ltd.
Location: 5th floor, Aoyama Building, 2-12-28 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo Representative: President and CEO Katsumi Takekawa
Business content Life stage marketing business
URL https://belta.co.jp/
* [Survey overview] *
Survey period: February 1, 2024 to April 1, 2024
Survey target: 147 female college students
*Preconception care
The concept is to prepare for future pregnancies and childbirth by paying close attention to one’s own body and providing appropriate care based on correct knowledge. The options for whether or not to have children are becoming more diverse, and this is attracting attention as a necessary way of thinking for future health management.