It's a Vagina/ Vulva/ Genitals

[IWantToBeASleepingCat]

Why do people say " down there" for example instead of using the correct term?
I was talking to the nurse at my GP practice about my BV.
She kept asking what symptoms l have " down there". Do l have a discharge " down there" etc etc.
She's a nurse .. I'm sure she's been taught the correct terms.
I always taught my daughters the correct terms.
Grandsons have a Penis.. not a willy or a tail or any other incorrect name.
My Grandson did say once he has a Penis and two tentacles 🤣 but he was only four. Lol.

It’s all due to parenting and sometimes opression.

Yes, teaching children the correct words is best. But conversely, for girls and women who haven’t been taught the correct words or don’t distinguish between their vulva and vagina, or are more comfortable using euphemisms, there’s a place for it in healthcare if it supports patients to provide the right information and / or prevents confusion. Unusual though that the nurse didn’t take your lead if you were using proper terminology.

I remember reading an article where nurses from abroad were being sent on training regarding common English language euphemisms for body parts and bodily functions, as so many of their elderly patients and patients from more conservative communities in particular were uncomfortable with “correct” terminology and questions using it weren’t eliciting information due to embarrassment; and also a memorable quote from a confused nurse who, upon being told by her patient that she wished to “spend a penny”, had escorted her to the hospital shop!

After working in health care for many, many years. We are taught to speak in layman's terms so that all our patients understand us. Plus, as many patients get embarrassed by speaking about the workings of their vagina. It makes them more comfortable if we dont speak in the correct medical terms.

If we were talking to a professional colleague, we would use the correct terminology.

I remember being on a trip with my father when I was about 6. Sharing a hotel bedroom he asked me at bed time if I wanted to "make water". I was confused and fascinated; how could I make water and why would I want to when there was a tap in the bathroom...

Myself, I feel that clinicians using the correct terminology removes embarrassment, whereas phrases like "down there" just exacerbate it

I also hate “water works”

Down there is a bigger area than just the vulva so it's useful to describe the whole area.

But surely 'down there' covers your vagina, vulva, labia and anything else. I don't see the issue at all.

Why is penis considered to be 'better' than willy? Makes no sense to me, everyone knows what a willy is. Would you really never say tummy? Do you really say buttocks instead of bum? Or is it just genitals you have issue with?