Britons believe the “new health taboos” in society include low testosterone, constipation and PMS.
But now many are happier to talk about topics like prostate cancer, eating disorders and mental health five years ago.
Increased awareness, understanding and media attention were cited as common reasons for health issues becoming destigmatized.
While others believe that celebrities speaking out about health issues helps normalize them in the public eye.
A spokesperson for research agency OnePoll, which conducted the study among 2,500 adults, said: “We know that open and honest conversations about health are vital to ensure people have the knowledge and confidence to advocate for themselves.
“Our research shows that a wide range of health issues are considered taboo by the UK public and that there is much work to be done to fully destigmatise the full range of health issues cited.”
The survey went on to find other health issues that adults believe are now more commonly talked about include: erectile dysfunction (24 percent) and Fertility issues (20 percent).
Less than six in ten (59 percent) would feel comfortable discussing a personal health issue, even with a trained medical professional.
But 43 percent would be happy to open up to their close friends, and just over half (52 percent) to their partner.
Other topics that the British now consider “taboo” in modern society include conversations about libido and sexual performance (35 percent) and urinary incontinence (20 percent).
But among those who believe open conversations about health issues are improving, 53 percent believe society as a whole is more open now.
And 48 percent believe that access to online information is vital for people to talk about issues that affect them.
Almost eight out of ten people (78 percent) believe that it is very important to break the silence surrounding health taboos.
And in the past two years, 37 percent have witnessed firsthand someone having an open and honest conversation about these previously little-discussed topics.
The OnePoll spokesperson added: “Clearly there is a societal desire to break the silence around health taboos and research shows that people feel more empowered to discuss certain health topics.
“The research also identified that discussions around mental health “To date, we have been very successful in becoming a health issue that is now much more widely understood, discussed and supported across the UK.”
THE 20 HEALTH TOPICS THAT ARE DISCUSSED MORE NOW THAN FIVE YEARS AGO
1. Mental/neurological health
2. Prostate cancer
3. Obesity/overweight
4. Eating disorders
5. Erectile dysfunction
6. Testicular cancer
7. Fertility
8. Sexual health (e.g. STIs)
9. Endometriosis
10. Urinary incontinence
11. Hair loss
12. Sexual performance (e.g. low libido)
13. Body dysmorphia
14. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
15. Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
16. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
17. Hormonal imbalance
18. Constipation
19. Vaginal infections, for example, bacterial vaginosis.
20. Low sperm count
Gareth Lucy, UK communications and ROI director at health and hygiene company Essity, identified additional steps that now need to be taken to further destigmatise unhealthy taboos.
She said: “As a collective society we have gotten better at talking about the importance of discussing our health.
“Concerns that would previously have been hidden for fear of the stigma associated with them are now being discussed more openly in general.
“But saying it is important to talk and actually talking about their health are two different things.
“What we need to do now is improve the facilitation of these conversations and create safe environments for people to speak openly.
“Safe online communities, less censorship on social media and easier access to health professionals would help create opportunities for people to talk and seek advice.”
