Less than half of adults in the UK can correctly label the female anatomy, a study has found.
The research shows that only one in ten people were taught about gynaecological health in school.
Just 8% said their parents made it easy to talk to them about the issues during childhood, it was also discovered.
A charity has now launched a series dedicated lesson plans for teachers after finding a “knowledge gap” on the topic. Experts say the lack of understanding is a health risk - and have reacted by going into schools with a trial on 1,100 youngsters.
The survey was carried out by The Eve Appeal, who are dedicated to raising awareness into gynaecological cancers.
They took steps after being informed only a third of people knew where to go to find out more information.
Lessons are currently being piloted in 53 schools in London and Greater Manchester.
The Know Your Body Programme gives free to access to seven to 13-year-olds. It covering the topics of anatomy, menstrual health, HPV and cancer, and female genital mutilation.
Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of The Eve Appeal, said: “We want children to be equipped with the knowledge and information that will help them look after their health.
"Covering topics like anatomy and menstrual health and on to HPV and preparation for cervical screening, these resources will help everyone know their bodies that bit better.
“Sixty people a day are diagnosed with one of the five gynaecological cancers in the UK, yet awareness of them is shockingly low, with just 2 per cent of the population knowing all five gynaecological cancers- womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal.
'We hope this programme will go some way to plugging that knowledge gap.”
The study was conducted on 1,500 adults earlier this year.
Sex education was only made a compulsory part of the curriculum in UK schools three years ago.
Only in 2019 did they become obligated to educate children on topics such as genital anatomy or menstrual health.
