Out of 1,000 women surveyed, just half of those aged 26 to 35 could locate the vagina on a medical drawing of the female reproductive system.

In contrast, the majority of older women aged 66 to 75 were able to label their body parts on the diagrams.

The study, by women's cancer charity The Eve Appeal, also found that less than a quarter of women aged 16 to 25 didn’t feel “well informed” about gynaecological health issues.

One in five young women were unable to name a single correct symptom of any of the five gynaecological cancers, which affect the womb, cervix, ovaries, vagina and vulva.

Nearly a third of women aged 16 to 35 said they had avoided going to the doctor with gynaecological issues due to embarrassment, while one in 10 said they found it very had to talk to their GPs about these concerns.

The study was completed to draw attention to Gynaecological Cancer Awareness month in the UK. Helena Morrissey, chairman of The Eve Appeal said: “At The Eve Appeal we know how important it is to promote straight talking about the signs and symptoms of gynaecological cancers to women of all ages, and this survey has highlighted just how far we still have to go to make this happen.

“These cancers have some of the worst outcomes for women, with a 40 per cent mortality rate. Understanding the symptoms will save lives, which is why we are urging women this Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month to talk more openly about these life-saving issues.”

The study also found that young women were uncomfortable with the word ‘vagina’, as 40 per cent of 16 to 25 year olds said they used names such as ‘lady parts’ or ‘women’s bits’ instead.

In addition, 65 per cent said they had a problem with the words ‘vagina’ or vulva’.

Just under a half of all the women surveyed said they would it difficult to talk to their female friends and gynaecological health, and two thirds struggled to talk to their sisters.

It also comes as a vascular specialist, Professor Mark Whiteley, of the Whiteley Clinic, said in a new medical paper that many pregnant women are unaware that their vulvas can be affected by varicose veins during pregnancy.

He said: “During pregnancy, women must be made aware of the existence of varicose veins of the vulva because, if left untreated, it can lead to uncomfortable and often painful consequences.

“Women often find that the troublesome veins disappear following the birth of their child, but what they don’t realise it that the veins are likely to come back with a vengeance during any further pregnancy if there is an underlying issue that has not been treated.

"It is therefore much better to get checked out early by a specialist to avoid any future problems.”