What Armenian Women Are Saying: Insights from a Seminar on Reproductive Health

In Armenia, conversations about women’s health often happen quietly, if at all. Stigma, cultural expectations, and lack of accessible resources often keep women from prioritizing their well-being. To challenge this silence, Love Canal, with the support of a private donor, organized a seminar that invited women to openly discuss sexual and reproductive health — and to complete surveys before and after the sessions.

What unfolded in that room was more than a seminar. It became a safe space where women, many of whom had never met before, began to trust one another — and to trust the medical practitioners who were there to guide them. They wanted to be heard, to have their questions answered without judgment, and to feel seen in their experiences. Strangers quickly became a community, sharing tears, laughter, and even disbelief at some of the myths they had carried for years. Their concerns, often silenced in daily life, were acknowledged with compassion. These women were not only informed — they were validated.

The results that came from this gathering offer a rare and valuable glimpse into what Armenian women actually think, feel, and need when it comes to their health. The findings are not just numbers; they are voices that reflect a broader reality faced by women across the country.

Gynecology: Understanding the Gaps in Preventive Care

Visiting a gynecologist is one of the simplest ways women can protect their health. Yet in Armenia, regular checkups are still not the norm.

Before the seminar:

Pregnancy-based visits: 9 participants reported only seeing a gynecologist during pregnancy.
No visits at all: 3 women had never been to a gynecologist.
Avoidance: 10 respondents believed regular visits weren’t necessary.
Barriers: Family restrictions, financial constraints, and fear of results were common reasons for avoiding checkups.

After the seminar:

Confidence grew: 8 women felt very confident about when and why to visit a gynecologist.
Pap smear awareness rose: 15 participants said Pap smears are extremely important, compared to much lower recognition before.
Comfort increased: More women reported feeling at ease discussing reproductive health with doctors.

Takeaway: The seminar revealed that many women still avoid care until pregnancy or illness forces them to act. But with even one session of awareness, attitudes shifted — women felt more empowered and saw Pap smears and checkups as vital, not optional.

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Sexology: From Taboo to Openness

Sexology is often misunderstood or dismissed in Armenia. Many women feel embarrassed or ashamed to raise issues, which leaves problems untreated and myths unchallenged.

Before the seminar:

Lack of access: 16 out of 19 women had never visited a sexologist.
Embarrassment: 12 women named shame as their main reason for avoiding care.
Discomfort: Only 4 felt “very comfortable” discussing sexual health with a doctor.

After the seminar:

Confidence improved: 10 women reported they now understand when and why sexological counseling is needed.
Comfort increased: 12 women said they feel more at ease discussing sexual health issues with professionals.
Key lessons learned:
- It’s normal for women to require more time for arousal.
- Most women don’t orgasm from penetration alone.
- Conditions like vaginismus are medical issues, not personal failings.

Takeaway: Stigma and silence can keep women suffering in isolation. But with safe spaces for education, women quickly become more comfortable seeking help and talking about sexual health openly.

Psychology: The Overlooked Connection

Stress and mental health are deeply tied to sexual and reproductive well-being. Yet, most Armenian women surveyed had very little knowledge in this area.

Before the seminar:

Limited awareness: 17 women said they only knew “a little” about mental health issues.
Stress link ignored: Although most agreed stress had “some effect,” few understood its full impact.
Low access: Only 3 had ever consulted a psychologist.

After the seminar:

Understanding improved: 11 participants reported fully understanding the link between stress and sexual health.
Practical tools adopted: 12 women said they would now use self-care practices and stress reduction techniques.
Relationship awareness grew: 9 participants said their perspective on what makes a healthy relationship changed significantly.

Takeaway: Armenian women are eager to learn about the mental health side of reproductive health. Once they receive the tools, they are willing to apply them in their daily lives.

Barriers Women Still Face

Even with increased knowledge, some barriers remain:

Costs: Many participants highlighted that gynecological visits and tests are still expensive.
Fear: Fear of results or procedures continues to deter some women.
Time: Daily responsibilities often push women’s health to the background.

At the same time, several participants said they now had “no concerns” about visiting a gynecologist — a promising sign that stigma can be reduced through education.

Why This Data Matters for Armenia

The seminar was more than just a one-time discussion — it was also a data collection effort. This information is valuable not just for the participants, but for the entire women’s health sector in Armenia. By sharing these results openly, we strengthen the culture of evidence-based advocacy.

The data shows clearly that:

Awareness works. One seminar significantly shifted women’s confidence and comfort levels.
Barriers are systemic. Costs, stigma, and lack of time cannot be solved by individuals alone.
Women want change. Participants expressed willingness to seek more care, recommend checkups to others, and adopt new health practices.

Moving Forward

For Armenia to close the gaps in women’s health, we must:

Normalize preventive care by providing information on Pap smears, checkups, and counseling in accessible, stigma-free formats.
Address financial barriers by expanding free or low-cost reproductive health services.
Expand education so women and girls learn about sexual and reproductive health early, not only during crisis moments.
Invest in data collection so that women’s voices and experiences are consistently heard and integrated into policy decisions.

Key Message: Women in Armenia are ready to prioritize their health when given access, trust, and knowledge. By sharing these findings openly, we not only empower the women who participated — we empower the entire country with data that can drive lasting change.

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