Index – Homeland – Hungarians consider honesty and intimate infections shameful

In its representative research, Bayer Hungaria searched for the answer to the question of what Hungarians generally consider shameful. The majority indicated financial problems (21.5 percent). This is interestingly followed by morally positive qualities, such as honesty, helpfulness and morality (14.6 percent), while morally negative characteristics are only in third place among the listed shame factors (11.8 percent). Among the responses to the research, cultural deficiencies, clothing, addictions, behavior contrary to etiquette, gender-sexual orientation, and hygiene problems came up in a leading place, but various diseases and lack of technical skills are at the top of the list. and body shape too.

Surprising elements in our culture of shame

When it comes to the question of what most determines whether we think something is something to be ashamed of, people are divided. In essence, three main factors were identified. One of the defining elements is what we bring from home, what our family patterns are like (dominant at 32 percent). Friends and peer groups have an important influence (at 34 percent). However, there is also a strong influence of what the media broadcasts, 27 percent of the respondents thought so. According to only 4 percent of the respondents, the influencing factors in this regard are influenza drugs.

Almost half of the respondents (41 percent) have felt shame about their body shape, and almost the same number (40 percent) have felt bad because of the behavior of a family member or friend. Financial problems (38 percent), reckless statements (34 percent), and clothing (24 percent) were also included in the list of the TOP5 causes of shame. Failure at school or work, relationship problems, and hairstyle also came up as answers.

Even though body shape shame is most characteristic of Hungarians, especially women, this is the topic that most people think has no place in our culture of shame. According to the feedback, different sexual orientations were also included among the factors causing a sense of shame, but many people answered that it should not be like this anymore, especially men. Intimate infections are also classified here. Every second person thinks that it is better to hide it if someone has a fungal infection affecting the genitals.

Myths about intimate infection

Almost 60 percent of the respondents indicated poor hygiene as the reason, but according to every second person, the frequent change of sex partners is also a leading cause of intimate infections of fungal origin, and the same number think that the use of public restrooms can also lead to such an illness.

“In fact, we are talking about a disease that occurs at least once in 75 percent of women’s lives. About a phenomenon that can develop from stress, taking antibiotics or even wearing synthetic underwear. Men are also largely affected by the acute, easily treatable disease. Its development can primarily be explained by the weakening of the body’s defenses, contrary to misconceptions, it has nothing to do with promiscuity,” said Judit Laki, the company’s medical consultant.

In connection with the research, it was also revealed that many women try to treat themselves with amazing methods: they take antiseptic baths or use tampons dipped in kefir/yogurt. The medical expert said that with such methods, the balance of the natural vaginal flora can be damaged even more, resulting in a more serious condition. “If someone doesn’t get to a specialist, you can also find a suitable test to detect the infection in pharmacies, as well as medicines to treat it,” he added. In some pharmacies, they put all the rapid tests in one basket, because of the shame of the customers. And in some pharmacies, the pharmaceutical company helps patients with problem cards so that they do not have to verbally state their complaints and the type of products requested for their treatment.

according to the survey, they experienced it as even more embarrassing because of this; fearing the stigma, they did not dare to ask for help. 5 percent of the respondents admitted that they had to ask a psychologist for help to overcome their shame. 20 percent said that it was difficult and that time resolved it, 11 percent still feel bad when they think back on the incident.

The feeling of shame about the disease is so strong that even professional dancers did not want to appear in advertisements for one of the over-the-counter medicinal products suitable for its treatment. The manufacturer, which is also present on the international market, reported that it is no different abroad, so they usually solve the pictorial illustration with animation. Now, however, they have combined the knowledge of the Hungarian dancer with innovative technology. The artificial intelligence generated realistic people and faces for the live choreography, said the company’s brand manager, Anikó Radosiczky. They wanted to attract the attention of young people with hyperpop music interspersed with rap elements, with the undisguised goal of breaking taboos.

Eliminating misconceptions about the disease as soon as possible is also important, as there was a case where a woman over 60 missed a gynecological examination due to fear of stigma, and later died of cervical cancer – a case related to the infection was described in connection with the survey.