How much do you really think you know about the birds and the bees?  One recent survey of women in the United States suggests there are significant gaps in women's knowledge about their own reproductive health.

And we're not talking about the heavy science here, but simple basics like the ovulatory cycle. At least 25 percent did not know that so-called "normal" menstrual cycles can take between 25 and 35 days, and 40 percent were unable to identify when ovulation typically occurs within that cycle.  About 40 percent also believed that women's ovaries continue to produce new eggs during their reproductive years, which is absolutely untrue.

Many were also unaware about how factors like obesity and irregular menstrual cycles may have consequences for fertility, while roughly half mistakenly believed that having sex more than once a day increases the chances of getting pregnant.

While many of the women in the survey said their health care providers were their primary source of information about their reproductive well-being but only 60 percent said they went at least annually. And 10 percent said they had never even seen a women's health expert.

Based on these findings, there is clearly a pressing need for better sex education at all levels while also encouraging women to become experts on their own bodies. Consider this as a sign to set up that next appointment with your local gynecologist.

[Huffington Post]