Public Cervix Announcment

Even though half the world has one, many of us still feel weird, gross, or embarrassed about our vaginas. Why is that?

At Bloody Nice Pants, and through the amazing work of researcher Iona Connelly (2024), we’re digging into why so many heterosexual women feel anxious about the appearance of their vaginas and what we can do to change that.

Where These Anxieties Come From

It’s no secret that women in Western culture face huge pressures around body image. From a young age, we’re taught what’s considered “beautiful” and for many, that extends to the parts of our bodies that are rarely even seen.

Research shows that a third to half of women feel some dissatisfaction with the way their genitals look, and these feelings often start during their teenage years. This can lead to painful effects: lower sexual confidence, less condom use, less enjoyment of sex, and, for some, even considering cosmetic surgery to "fix" what they think is wrong.

The Power of Media, Language, and Peer Pressure

So what’s fuelling all this anxiety?A lot of it comes from what we see and hear every day:

• Media & Porn: Vaginas are often edited out, airbrushed, or shown as tiny, hairless, and "perfect" setting impossible standards.

• Everyday Conversations: Hurtful comments from friends, partners, or even parents can plant long-lasting insecurities.

• Language: Words like "axe wound" or "wizard’s sleeve" reinforce the idea that vaginas are something to be ashamed of.

And when male genitals are talked about openly and even celebrated ("big dick energy," anyone?), female genitals are still seen as something to hide, control, or fix.

It’s About More Than Just Insecurities

Vaginal anxieties aren’t just about body image,  they’re tied to bigger issues around patriarchal structures.Many women reported feeling that their value was tied to how “pleasing” their vagina was to male partners, not how they themselves felt about their bodies.This internalised pressure can deeply affect self-esteem, relationships, and sexual well-being.

What Needs to Change?

It’s time for a massive shift.The more we normalise and celebrate vaginas in all their natural, glorious variety the healthier and happier we’ll all be.

• Talk openly about real bodies (yes, including vaginas!).

• Challenge harmful language and refuse to let it define how we see ourselves.

• Support inclusive media that shows the beauty in diversity.

• Educate about bodies, about sex, and about how normal differences are.

Because, honestly, it’s bloody well time.