By Fatmata Binta Sow
Freetown, 20th October 2026 – For many women in Sierra Leone, conversations about vaginal health remain difficult, often clouded by stigma, cultural taboos and fear of judgment. As a result, health experts warn that countless women continue to suffer in silence, delaying treatment for conditions that could otherwise be addressed early.
From young students to married women, many say discussing vaginal health is uncomfortable, even with close family members and healthcare providers.
For Mariatu Bah, a communications student, much of her understanding of vaginal health came not from school or family discussions, but from personal reading.
“Schools teach us the basics, but they don’t go any further,” she said, noting that the subject is often treated as something to be discussed quietly, if at all.
According to Bah, societal attitudes have turned vaginal health into a taboo topic, leaving many young girls to navigate important health issues without adequate guidance.
“I learnt a lot about my body and vaginal health through books,” she said. “Women are shy when it comes to talking about vaginal health because of the society we grew up in. Society has made it such a taboo that it becomes uncomfortable to talk about.”
Her experience highlights what many see as a gap in health education, where young women are often left seeking information on their own rather than receiving clear and open guidance from parents, teachers or healthcare professionals.
For Maimuna Sow, an entrepreneur, seeking help from trusted female health professionals is the best approach when concerns arise.
“I think the best people to meet and talk to about vaginal health are female doctors and nurses,” she said.
She added that women who feel uncomfortable discussing such issues in public hospitals may find support in private clinics or from trusted elderly women who can provide guidance.
However, not all women feel confident that healthcare settings offer a safe and non-judgmental environment.
Zainab Jalloh, a housewife residing in Mambo in the Western Area Rural District, said fear of being judged often discourages women from speaking openly about intimate health concerns.
“Many people are afraid of talking about their vaginal issues because they fear they will be judged,” she said.
Jalloh further alleged that some women experience criticism or body-shaming even from female healthcare workers, making it more difficult to discuss sensitive health matters.
“Sometimes the problem starts in the clinic itself,” she said.
Medical experts agree that cultural and religious beliefs continue to influence how women approach reproductive and vaginal health.
Dr. David Jalloh, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Connaught Hospital, said many women have been conditioned to view discussions about vaginal health as inappropriate or embarrassing.
“In many of our communities, vaginal health is still considered a taboo subject,” he said. “Cultural and religious upbringing makes some women feel ashamed to talk about it, and that silence can be dangerous to their health.”
Dr. Jalloh stressed that healthcare professionals have a responsibility to create an atmosphere where patients feel safe discussing personal health concerns.
“Doctors need to create a comfortable environment where patients can openly talk about their vaginal health,” he said. “Some women feel ashamed because of cultural or religious reasons, while others are naturally shy about discussing such private issues, especially with the opposite gender.”
According to the specialist, the problem is rooted more in social attitudes than in medicine itself. While vaginal health issues are common and treatable, stigma often prevents women from seeking timely care.
Interviewees and health experts pointed to several measures that could help break the silence. They called for improved health education in schools, greater parental involvement in discussing reproductive health, better training for healthcare workers to ensure respectful treatment of patients, and broader public efforts to normalize conversations about women’s health.
Bah believes society must stop treating vaginal health as a subject that should be hidden from public discussion.
Until women can seek medical help without fear of embarrassment, judgment or shame, many will continue to endure preventable health challenges in silence, potentially putting their well-being at risk.
