From a very young age women are taught to feel embarrassed about their body.

As toddlers our vulvas are given nicknames like "pee-pee", and we're discouraged from touching "down there".

It worsens as we reach puberty when our body and its functions begin to change — hello pimples, pubic hair and periods — and again when we become sexually active.

"Women are culturally raised to not talk about 'women's problems', including periods, pain and sex," says Elizabeth Farrell, gynaecologist and medical director at Jean Hailes for Women's Health.

"This can translate into lack of confidence in talking about issues with their doctor."

And that's a problem for our health.

A lack of familiarity with our anatomy is also standing in the way. A British survey of 1,000 women found 44 per cent were unable to identify the vagina on a medical illustration of the female reproductive tract.

While some health professionals found that to be concerning, others felt it was more important women felt comfortable talking to their doctor about their bodies, whether they knew the correct names for body parts or not.

Also, as we've seen with endometriosis, women can reach out for help but not receive it, explains Clare Boerma, Family Planning NSW associate medical director.

"Sometimes they seek care and they aren't taken as seriously as they need to be, so it can be a long time until they seek help again," Dr Boerma says.

We unpack the very real consequences body shame has on women's health, and what we can do about it.

Why are we so ashamed of our bodies?

Women are made to feel ashamed of the bodies throughout their lifetime, explains Professor Jayne Lucke from La Trobe's Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society.

It starts young

"As a child, a woman may have learnt to be ashamed of body parts from the reaction of adults — for example, saying, 'don't touch' or 'cover up'," says Professor Lucke.

"She may hear women's bodies being publicly discussed in a derogatory way."

As children, our body parts are given nicknames instead of the proper terms, says Dr Boerma.

"We get uncomfortable with children using words like vagina."

Bodily functions seen as 'gross'

While it seems we're making progress around the taboo of menstruation, many people are yet to catch up.

An ad campaign showing menstrual blood for the first time on Australia TV received more than 600 complaints (all dismissed).

"So much distress and discomfort came out of that, yet blood in the context of violence is seen as normal," Dr Boerma says.

She adds the "appearance and smell" of women's genitals is still of great concern to patients she sees.

"If a woman comes and I realise she's overdue for a cancer screening and suggest it, it's not uncommon for them to say, 'I haven't shaved or washed' or be embarrassed.

"No man has ever apologised to me for not waxing."

Objectification of women and pursuit of the perfect body

Gemma Sharp from Monash University's Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre has done a lot of work around body image. She says we're more critical of ourselves than ever before, with "no body part safe from scrutiny".

"Labiaplasty and Brazilian butt lifts are the fastest growing [cosmetic] surgeries in the world."

Dr Boerma says the sexualisation of women's bodies and how what is portrayed as "the perfect body" by the media largely contributes to this.

Self-exploration not encouraged

How are women supposed to get to know their bodies when we're not even encouraged to explore them?

A major contributor to the orgasm gap is that women don't masturbate as much as men.

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Not knowing what's normal

When we internalise the above messages, we don't seek answers when something doesn't seem right, says Dr Boerma.

We even question if what we are experiencing is abnormal at all.

Professor Lucke has looked at how women engage with the health system to try to get effective contraception.

She found some women will put up with unpleasant side effects for years because they don't realise they are experiencing something avoidable.

It's the same with pain, says Jason Chow, a gynaecologist and obstetrician.

"If you look at issues around sexual health after birth and pain with sex, about half of women by six months to 12 months will have pain with sex … it's a quarter at 18 months. Without treatment, it doesn't get better," Dr Chow says.

"Just because it's common doesn't mean it's normal."

The health consequences of body shame

With a generation who is "more concerned about their body image than ever", there is great concern for their future mental and physical health, says Dr Sharp.

Cervical cancer is just one example. Between January 2016 and June 2017, 55 per cent of Australian women aged 20 to 59 participated in cervical screening.

"Cervical cancer screens are really important for early detection of disease," Dr Boerma says.

"Most cases of advanced cervical cancer are women who haven't had screening."

Abnormal pain and bleeding also often go untreated.

"Things like endometriosis could have otherwise received treatment and improve women's quality of life as well," Dr Boerma says.

So, what can we do?

Start normalising sex and bodies early

We should be teaching young girls about more than just the basics, says Dr Boerma.

"We need to deliver age-appropriate sex and reproductive information at home and in schools. Normalising talking about these sorts of things … broader than the nuts and bolts of sex and abstinence.

"Talk to girls about body function, how strong girls are, not how pretty they are."

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Get in touch with our biases and celebrate our bodies

As adult women, Dr Boerma encourages us to be conscious of the biases we all carry about our bodies and "have a sense of what your body is and what is normal for you".

Dr Sharp says that includes appreciating your body, not running it down.

"Engage in embodying activities like yoga or Pilates, focusing on how amazing it is your body allows you to run, to love people, to engage in fun activities.

"Take a body appreciation stance."

Improve doctor-patient communication

Dr Chow says health professionals need to be more proactive in asking women about their sexual health.

"Why aren't we actively as health care providers asking women about these issues as part of their general health?

"If no-one asks the question, and if women don't seek help, it doesn't get better."

Finding a doctor you feel comfortable with is going to help you build a trusting relationship, says Dr Farrell.

And because they are often under the pump, make sure to book a longer appointment if you need.

"Prior to the consultation have a list of concerns and issues that you wish to discuss so you don't forget anything."

The more we talk about these issues, the more we can break down the stigma, says Professor Lucke.

"Women who are comfortable with themselves and their bodies can look after their own needs, and also help nurture the next generation of women as well."