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Vagina Dialogues Survey

About the Suvery

The Vagina Dialogues survey examined women's attitudes toward and perceptions of their vaginas. The survey is based on interviews with a nationwide cross section of 1,117 women, aged 18-44, conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive from July 29 to August 8, 2003, for the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) though an unrestricted educational grant by Organon Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

The survey was designed to comply with the code and standards of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations and the Code of the National Council on Public Polls.

1117 online interviews were conducted among a random sample of female U.S respondents aged 18 - 44.

Interviews lasted 21 minutes on average and were conducted from July 29 through August 8, 2003. Data was weighted to adjust for attitudinal differences that may arise from using an online panel sample.

Harris Interactive (www.harrisinteractive.com) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll®, and for pioneering the Internet method to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, U.S.A., Harris Interactive combines proprietary methodologies and technology with expertise in predictive, custom and strategic research. The Company conducts international research through wholly owned subsidiaries-London-based HI Europe (www.hieurope.com) and Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan-as well as through the Harris Interactive Global Network of local market-and opinion-research firms, and various U.S. offices.

Quick Facts

  • Two-thirds (65%) of women agree that vaginal health and research has not received the proper attention it deserves
  • Over one-third of women (35%) are uncomfortable having any discussions about vaginas; nearly one out of five women (21%) is even uncomfortable talking to her health care provider about it
  • More than half (57%) of women don’t think their vagina is the right size
  • Only half of the women surveyed (51%) consider themselves to be extremely/very knowledgeable about their vaginas
  • Only 14 percent of women believe that women are as comfortable talking about their vaginas as men are about penis-related issues
  • Women perceive their vaginas very differently than they believe their spouses/significant others perceive their vaginas:

  • While 76 percent of women agree that women today are more able to say the word “vagina,” close to half (47%) agree that discussions about the vagina should b held in private:

This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive for the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) through an unrestricted educational grant by Organon Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.