Breaking the Silence: Why Women’s Health Conversations Deserve to Be Heard

Let’s talk about it.

No, seriously—let’s really talk about it.

At Joylux, we hear your questions loud and clear: “Why don’t you just say the word ‘vagina’?” It’s a fair question, and the answer might surprise you. It’s not because we’re uncomfortable or shy away from frank, honest discussions about women’s health. Quite the opposite. The reason? Social media platforms, search engines, and even app stores have unwritten rules that censor words related to women’s anatomy and sexual health. Words like vagina, vulva, or orgasm—essential terms for discussing our bodies and experiences—can lead to our content being restricted or even removed.

But we believe that women’s health should be talked about openly and unapologetically. No filters. No shame. No bleeping.

When Words Get Bleeped: Halle Berry’s Story

Imagine this: Halle Berry, an advocate for women’s health and a powerful voice in the menopause movement, sits down to share her deeply personal journey of navigating painful sex. She’s honest, raw, and ready to speak the truth that so many women need to hear. But just as she begins to tell her story, she’s handed a list of words she can’t say.

In true Halle fashion, she dives right in, stringing together an unfiltered account of her experience. But then—BLEEP. BLEEP. BLEEP. Her words are silenced, censored by platforms that deem them “too sensitive.”

This isn’t just about Halle. It’s about all of us. The stories we share about our bodies, our health, and our experiences are essential. When they’re censored, we lose more than just words—we lose connection, education, and the empowerment that comes from knowing we’re not alone.

The Double Standard in Sexual Health

This censorship doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it reflects a larger, systemic issue. Joylux’s own experience is a perfect example. Recently, our menopause app, designed to track symptoms and provide essential education for women navigating this life stage, was removed from the Google Play Store. Why? Because we shared a New York Times article about vibrators—an educational, informative piece. Even after removing the article, it took an entire month for our app to be reinstated.

While we’re relieved the app is finally back, this situation highlights a glaring double standard. Men’s sexual health products—condoms, erectile dysfunction medications, personal lubricants—are freely advertised and openly discussed. Super Bowl ads for Viagra and Cialis air without a second thought. But products and conversations addressing women’s sexual health? They’re met with resistance, censorship, and stigma.

Educational content about vibrators, which are scientifically proven to enhance sexual function and overall well-being, is often lumped into the same category as explicit adult material. This suppression doesn’t just silence companies like ours—it perpetuates shame and ignorance around women’s health, leaving many to suffer in silence.

Advocating for Change: From Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley

Thankfully, change is on the horizon. Halle Berry isn’t just sharing her story—she’s taking it to Capitol Hill. Partnering with a bipartisan group of Senators, Halle recently introduced a historic $275 million menopause spending bill aimed at advancing research and education. This is a monumental step forward in prioritizing women’s health and breaking the stigma surrounding menopause and sexual wellness.

But the fight doesn’t stop there. Joylux’s founder and CEO, Colette Courtion, has faced these challenges firsthand. After becoming a mother in her 40s and navigating the transition into perimenopause, Colette recognized a glaring gap in the market for women’s health solutions. She used her background in medical esthetics to develop innovative products that promote natural hydration, enhance sensation, and support pelvic health. Yet, despite the clear demand and impact, Joylux has faced significant hurdles—from fundraising challenges due to male investor discomfort to battling censorship on digital platforms.

Why These Conversations Matter

Silencing discussions about women’s health isn’t just frustrating—it has real consequences. It affects quality of life, relationships, and mental health. Women deserve the same respect, support, and freedom as men to discuss and address their health needs. It’s time to normalize conversations about menopause, vaginal health, and sexual wellness.

We need to:

• Advocate for fair policies on social media and app stores.
• Normalize discussions about menopause and female sexual health.
• Hold platforms accountable for biased content moderation.
• Support organizations like Joylux that prioritize women’s health and wellness.

The words we’re told we can’t say are often the ones we need to say the loudest. So, let’s say them together: Vagina. Vulva. Orgasm. These aren’t dirty words—they’re part of our health, our stories, and our lives.

It’s time to break the silence. Because when we speak up, we’re not just reclaiming our words—we’re reclaiming our power.