December 12 marks International Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, a global reminder that health care is a human right — not a privilege. But while this day calls for healthcare systems that leave no one behind, too often vaginal and reproductive health gets left out of the conversation.
Access to vaginal health care — whether it’s preventive screenings, microbiome education, pelvic floor therapy, or chronic infection treatment — is still inconsistent, stigmatized, and in many communities, nearly impossible to find.
At With Meraki Co., we believe universal health coverage must include universal vaginal care — because true equity means acknowledging the full spectrum of women's and marginalized bodies’ needs.
Vaginal Health Is Essential Health
Let’s be clear: Vaginal health is not “extra.” It’s not a luxury, not cosmetic, and definitely not optional.
Your vaginal microbiome, pelvic floor function, and hormone balance are deeply intertwined with:
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Immunity
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Fertility and pregnancy outcomes
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Sexual and emotional well-being
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Prevention of chronic infections (BV, UTIs, yeast infections)
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Cancer screenings and early diagnosis (like cervical cancer)
And yet, too many people are forced to delay care, self-diagnose, or suffer silently due to cost, location, or fear of being dismissed.
What’s Blocking Access to Vaginal Health Care?
Despite progress in sexual and reproductive rights, here are some of the barriers still affecting access:
1. Cost and Insurance Gaps
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Many insurance plans don’t cover pelvic floor therapy, probiotics, integrative gynecology, or repeated vaginal infection testing.
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Hormonal support, microbiome testing, or preventive therapies often come out of pocket.
2. Lack of Local Providers
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In rural or underserved areas, it’s common to find only one OB/GYN or none at all.
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Pelvic floor therapists, gender-inclusive practitioners, and microbiome-literate clinicians are rare.
3. Medical Mistrust & Bias
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Women of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and people with chronic symptoms often feel dismissed or gaslit when they bring up vaginal concerns.
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This leads to delayed diagnoses, mismanagement, or avoidance of care altogether.
4. Cultural Shame and Stigma
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In many cultures and communities, vaginal health is taboo. Even bringing up “discharge” or “pelvic pain” can feel unsafe.
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Education and access go hand-in-hand — when one is missing, the other suffers.
What Would Equitable Vaginal Health Look Like?
On Universal Health Coverage Day, we dare to imagine a future where:
-Everyone has access to affordable gynecologic care that includes microbial, hormonal, and sexual health
-Vaginal infections are no longer normalized or treated with endless antibiotics — instead, people are empowered with root-cause support
-Pelvic floor therapy is standard care, not a hidden, self-pay niche
-Doctors are trained to listen to people with vaginas — without shame, without rushing, and without bias
-Every body — regardless of race, gender identity, or socioeconomic status — can access compassionate, trauma-informed vaginal care
What Can We Do Right Now?
You don’t have to run a healthcare system to make a difference. Here are some actions we can all take:
1. Start With Education
Knowledge is power. Share accessible, science-based information on the vaginal microbiome, hormones, infections, and the importance of preventive care. (Our eBook, The Complete Guide to a Healthy Vagina, is a great place to start.)
2. Advocate for Coverage
Call or email your insurance provider and ask:
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Do you cover pelvic floor therapy?
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What’s your policy on probiotics or biofilm-related testing?
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Can I be referred for chronic BV or UTI care beyond standard antibiotics?
If you're denied care, appeal. Document everything.
3. Support Policy That Centers Women’s Health
Universal health coverage must go beyond hospital access. Support legislation that expands Medicaid, maternal care, sexual education, and integrative women’s health.
4. Talk About It — Loudly
Normalize conversations about UTIs, BV, vaginal dryness, chronic pain, birth control side effects, and fertility struggles. The more we speak up, the more we shift what's considered “worthy” of coverage.
The Takeaway
Universal health coverage without vaginal care is incomplete.
This December 12, let’s reframe what “essential health services” really mean — because your microbiome matters. Your hormones matter. Your pain matters. Your pleasure matters. Your vagina matters.
And every body deserves access to care that sees, hears, and supports them.
Ready to Learn More?
Explore our free vaginal wellness education, or dive into our eBook, The Complete Guide to a Healthy Vagina — a science-backed, stigma-free resource for taking control of your vaginal health.
With love, science, and soul,
Giana Jarrah
Biomedical Engineer, Women’s Health Educator & Founder of With Meraki Co.
Share this post with someone who deserves access to full-spectrum health care. Because health equity starts at the root — and yes, that includes vaginal health.