Dr. Samantha Bradley
Medical Science Director for Intimate Wellness
Let’s break the silence with science
Our team of scientists and medical experts are advancing science and knowledge on this important topic of women’s health. Here to break the silence and start an honest and open conversation are Dr. Samantha Bradley, Medical Science Director for Intimate Wellness, Sarah Hood, Medical Science Director for Durex and Dr. Fred Esclassan, Medical Insight and Engagement.
We're looking holistically at intimate wellness and people's sexual health, wellness and wellbeing so that we also embrace sexual pleasure.
Why are we still whispering about women’s sexual health? Because despite the progress we’ve made in across healthcare, talking about vaginal dryness remains a taboo.
Vaginal dryness and sexual health aren’t just an uncomfortable topic – they’re an uncomfortable reality for millions of women (1 in 6) experience vaginal dryness between the ages of 18-501.
Sarah Hood
Medical Science Director for Durex
Developing the solution
The effects of vaginal dryness go beyond physical discomfort – leading to painful intercourse, decreased sexual desire and even strain on relationships. Emotionally, it can cause anxiety, shame and a feeling of isolation.(3) Sarah Hood explains how our science and research are making a real difference, not only in understanding vaginal dryness and sexual pleasure but the steps that our teams take to develop trusted solutions:
Discussions about sexual health, intimate wellness and the link to quality of life, is still a huge challenge for women to discuss openly with healthcare professionals.
Dr. Fred Esclassan
Medical Insight and Engagement
The science to unlock sexual pleasure
Research shows that many women don’t prioritise their own sexual pleasure due to societal pressures and lack of information.
K-Y and Durex are key vehicles that help us bridge this gap, with our medical experts conducting an innovative clinical trial on our lubrication portfolio. The study included women experiencing vaginal dryness due to menopause or other reasons and enabled our experts to gain an in-depth understanding of the impact lubricants have on not only improving comfort but enhancing sexual pleasure. The results were overwhelmingly positive and the study was acknowledged by the International Society of sexual medicine as the best paper of 2023 in Female Sexual Medicine4.
More needs to be done to break these barriers to encourage open conversation and address the intimate wellness gap. We’re committed to advancing science and knowledge in this area so we can tackle the taboos to help improve the quality of life for millions of women suffering in silence around the world.
Always read the instructions (RKT-M-67517)
References:
1. 25-WHC-FACTSHEET-VaginalDryness-OCT2023-B.pdf (womens-health-concern.org)
2. Vaginal dryness: 'Women, please report symptoms,' urge experts (medicalnewstoday.com)
3. 25-WHC-FACTSHEET-VaginalDryness-OCT2023-B.pdf (womens-health-concern.org)
4. Palacios S, Hood S, Abakah-Phillips T, Savania N, Krychman M. A randomized trial on the effectiveness and safety of 5 water-based personal lubricants. J Sex Med. 2023 Mar 31;20(4):498-506. doi: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad005. PMID: 36781402.