A new report released by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) reveals that women are looking to be better informed about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The survey, conducted with cooperation from the Harris Poll, found that 77% of women feel they are knowledgeable about vaginal diseases such as yeast infections, yet only 60% know about diagnosis and treatment options available for STIs.

The medtech company is responsible for testing kits BD Vaginal Panel and the BD CTGCTV2 assay, which screen for vaginitis and the three most common nonviral STIs in women who are symptomatic.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. women over 18 years old revealed that almost half of them saw a healthcare provider for a routine gynecological exam within the past year or more. Another 40% of women said they’d had gynecological care within the past 12 months.

Of the women who see healthcare providers for gynecological care, 82% felt their provider should do more to educate them on what are the STIs, what are the treatment options for STIs and other vaginal infections (82%), and how to get testing for STIs and vaginal infections (79%).

When these women felt they might have an infection, 57% went to a gynecologist and 42% went to see a primary care doctor. Vaginal infections (including yeast infections) are the No. 1 reason that women went to see a primary care doctor for a gynecological issues.

According to statistics, yeast infections are often co-occurring with STIs. But those women who only have an STI often don’t develop any symptoms, which means the disease can go undetected or improperly treated.

Reference: https://investors.bd.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-harris-poll-finds-women-want-more-education-sexually