We are proud to stand with our partner, the Center for Intimacy Justice (CIJ), an organization committed to ensuring that every woman has access to safe, accurate, and dignified care. In a recent interview, CIJ leaders broke down the critical gap between medical ethics and patient reality, revealing why the fight for intimacy justice is the foundation of self-advocacy. 

What is Intimacy Justice? 

Intimacy justice is the simple, yet profound, recognition that access to accurate information, respectful care, and freedom from exploitation regarding your sexual and intimate life is a fundamental human right. For the CIJ, this means working to stop the exploitation of women in the healthcare marketplace by exposing misleading marketing and fighting for evidence-based standards in intimate wellness. 

The CIJ champions the conviction that a woman is not just a patient: A woman is a sovereign individual with the right to agency over their body, their pleasure, and their decisions. 

Beyond Euphemisms 

One of the most persistent barriers to equitable care is our language. Consequently, The avoidance of anatomically correct terms in public and clinical settings—using vague euphemisms instead of “vagina,” “vulva,” or “clitoris”—has a severe negative impact on a woman’s health journey. 

• Impact on Diagnosis: When patients and even physicians use vague language, it leads to ambiguity and diagnostic imprecision. You cannot accurately communicate chronic pain, atrophy (GSM), or specific symptoms if you cannot name the anatomy involved. This imprecision directly contributes to the gender data gap and delays effective treatment. 
   

• A Foundation of Empowerment: The CIJ asserts that using correct terminology is not just about being polite—it is an act of self-advocacy. It forces both the patient and the physician to acknowledge the issue as a legitimate medical concern, elevating the conversation above societal shame. 

Justice and the Self 

According to the CIJ, the most important conversation currently being overlooked at the intersection of intimacy and justice is the need for every woman to find her true voice and agency in her sexual life. This is about moving past a history of fear-based sexual education and embracing the confidence to be seen, wanted, and valued. 

This theme is critical because a lack of sexual confidence (self-efficacy) and unaddressed trauma are major contributors to anxiety, chronic pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction in midlife. 

To add to this, If intimacy justice were a required curriculum in schools, the core takeaways would focus on building this foundation of self-worth and accurate anatomical knowledge: 

• Unlearn and Reclaim: The first step is unlearning the fear-based, negative messages women receive about their bodies and sexuality. 

• Know Your Terms: Mandating anatomical accuracy to empower every individual to communicate clearly and seek precise medical care. 
   

• Demand Your Space: Instilling the right to demand dignity, safety, and respect in all relationships and medical interactions. 

FemmePharma stands with the Center for Intimacy Justice: By equipping women with precise language and scientific authority, we can empower them to take control of their health destiny. 

Check out CIJ on our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQCGCHbEQGs/?igsh=YnNsMnB0MHhzdW92) 

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