For some Brits, these are the kind of nicknames they’d prefer to keep behind closed doors.
But a surprisingly large chunk of the UK opt for nicher phrases to refer to their private parts, a new poll has revealed.
According to the survey of 2,000 Brits, four in ten women prefer ‘down there’ instead of vagina and a fifth, ‘vajayjay’.
Men fared no better, with one in four admitting they use ‘knob’ instead of penis. One in ten even nickname it ‘schlong’.
Yet, more than half believed the nation’s understanding of sexual health would be better if we all used correct anatomical names, the poll, conducted by Superdrug and sexual health charity Brook, found.
It comes after a YouGov survey showed that almost half of Brits do not even know where the vagina is — and it’s not just men who don’t know.
It revealed almost half of women could not label the vagina.
And around half of both genders didn’t know where the labia was.
Understanding the female body will help men and women when it comes to sex and relationships, getting pregnant and avoiding pregnancy, according to the family planning association (FPA).
Now, in a bid to help people advocate for their own sexual health rather than tiptoe around this taboo, Superdrug has urged people to speak more openly about their bodies and sexual health.
Its ‘Reclaim the Name’ campaign poll found more than a third (39 per cent) of Brits felt poor sex education has negatively impacted their understanding of sex.
Meanwhile, almost two thirds (65 per cent) suggested that using the correct anatomical names — vulva and penis — would reduce the stigma and shame around sexual health and pleasure.
According to the survey of 2,000 Brits, four in ten women prefer ‘down there’ instead of vagina and a fifth, ‘vajayjay’. Men fared no better, with one in four admitting they use ‘knob’ instead of penis. One in ten even nickname it ‘schlong’
Simon Comins, Superdrug’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: ‘Our research shows that there is still so much stigma around having open and honest conversations about such important topics.
‘This campaign and the actions we’re taking, including piloting high street sexual health advice clinics and removing the VAT from key sexual health products, will hopefully go some way in breaking down these barriers and help people feel more comfortable in taking control of their sexual health.’
Rebecca Shutt, Brook’s Assistant Director of Education and Wellbeing added: ‘We know that stigma is one of the biggest barriers to people accessing sexual health services.
‘If people feel too awkward or ashamed to talk about their bodies, then they won’t have the confidence to seek support when they need it.
‘That’s why sexual health literacy is so important.
‘Knowing the correct anatomical terms for body parts gives people the tools they need to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals.
‘It can also help them foster more open and honest conversations about sex, consent and pleasure with their partners.’
Sex, and intimacy more generally, has been linked to a string of health benefits, including improving the condition of your heart, reducing stress and even boosting mental health.
But recent trends show prudish Brits aren’t having as much sex as they used to.
According to a Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) poll of 2,000 adults earlier this year, men and women typically romp just 46 times a year — once every eight days.
Research published this week also found nationally, just 55 per cent of Brits reported having sex at least one a week — 59 per cent of men and 51 per cent of women.
Londoners were far above the national average, with 67 per cent reporting enjoying an amorous encounter at least once a week.