Medicine & Ethics

Between Culture and Care: When Culture Speaks Louder Than Medicine

By Nasim Jozan, YouthCare Connect

Women’s health isn’t just about biology. It’s also shaped by culture, beliefs, and social expectations. These factors influence how women understand their bodies and how they experience healthcare. In many societies, some misconceptions about women’s health are still common and can affect the way care is provided or received.

One example is virginity testing. This practice involves examining the hymen to try to determine whether a woman has had sexual intercourse. However, medically speaking, this isn’t reliable. The hymen can vary from person to person and can change for many reasons that are not related to sexual activity (“Virginity Testing”).

Even so, this practice still exists in some places because of cultural beliefs and social pressure. In some cases, women may not feel free to refuse such examinations. This raises concerns about privacy, dignity, and women’s personal rights.

In real-life situations, some women have been pressured or advised to undergo virginity testing before marriage, even though there is no medical basis for it. There are also documented cases where pregnancy or miscarriage has occurred without any damage to the hymen, which further shows how unreliable this practice is (“Virginity Testing”).

Health organizations, including the World Health Organization, have clearly stated that virginity testing has no medical value and can be harmful (World Health Organization). It can also affect women emotionally, making them feel ashamed or uncomfortable, and in some cases, it may even prevent them from seeking medical help in the future.

In some settings, this practice is no longer part of formal healthcare, but concerns remain that it may still occur outside regulated medical environments. This raises concerns about safety, oversight, and proper medical regulation.

Another important example is menopause. Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life when menstrual periods stop, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. Although it is a normal process, many women are not given enough information about it before they experience it (UNFPA).

Common symptoms can include hot flashes, sleep problems, mood changes, anxiety, and fatigue. However, every woman experiences menopause differently. For some, symptoms are mild, while for others they can be more challenging.

In many different parts of the world, women often go through menopause without much prior education or guidance. Because of this, they may not understand what is happening to their bodies and may feel confused or alone.

Menopause is not only a physical change. It can also affect emotional wellbeing, especially when there is little support or when the topic is not openly discussed.

Across both virginity testing and menopause, a common issue appears: lack of information and cultural misconceptions can strongly affect women’s health experiences. These issues can influence not only physical health, but also emotional wellbeing and trust in healthcare.

Healthcare systems and education can play a big role in changing this. When people have better information, they are more likely to understand their bodies and seek help when needed. Awareness and respectful communication can make a big difference in improving women’s health experiences.

At the end of the day, women deserve healthcare that is respectful, supportive, and based on accurate information—not myths or stigma.