Research shows Canadian women are in the dark about the benefits of sexual wellness

Toronto February 7, 2023 - Today, Shoppers Drug Mart is making sexual wellness easier for Canadians with the launch of a new selection of products – including personal massagers, vibrating bullets, lubricants and more – online and in select stores. A recent survey by Shoppers Drug Mart found most Canadian women are unaware of the benefits of sexual wellness to their overall health.  With the launch of the new products, Shoppers continues to fulfill its purpose of helping Canadians live life well, championing women’s health specifically with a focus on increasing awareness of the gaps in care and improving access.

“Sexual wellness is a key component of women’s overall health, but like much of women’s healthcare, it tends to fly under the radar and we’re proud to use our platform to shine a light on these topics,” said Kelly Jessop, SVP, Shoppers Drug Mart. “Our curated selection of products includes top sellers from both Canadian and multinational companies, easily shoppable from the comfort of home and shipped to your door discretely.” The national survey conducted by Shoppers Drug Mart revealed that most Canadian women shy away from conversations about sexual wellness due to social stigma, and that few know what “sexual wellness” means with only seven per cent of respondents able to define it correctly. While sexual wellness can play a vital role in the overall health of women, both physically and mentally, many are in the dark about how. In fact, half of the women surveyed were either unaware or misinformed about the benefits of sexual stimulation and orgasm, which includes increased blood and oxygen flow, reduced stress, improved sleep, pain relief and more.¹

“The lack of understanding around sexual wellness among Canadian women is disheartening but not shocking,” said Dr. Lori Brotto, Executive Director, Women’s Health Research Institute BC. “Due to feelings of shame and embarrassment, women have traditionally not prioritized their own self-pleasure, but we know the impacts of orgasm on our mental and physical health are vast. This is due to the release of oxytocin which among other things can help combat low mood and even benefit cardiovascular health. It’s a positive step forward in women’s sexual health to see a trusted retailer like Shoppers Drug Mart join this important conversation.”

Today’s launch includes products from SKYN, Plus One, Floravi and LELO, all of which can be found online at shop.shoppersdrugmart.ca(Open in a new tab).

About Shoppers Drug Mart Inc.

Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart^® (Pharmaprix^® in Québec). With almost 1,350 Shoppers Drug Mart^® and Pharmaprix^® stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The company also licenses or owns 47 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy^® (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé^® in Québec). As well, the company owns and operates 43 corporate Wellwise by Shoppers Drug Mart^TM stores and an ecommerce site Wellwise.ca, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the company owns the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers^TM online platform for the sale of medical cannabis, Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services, MediSystem Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities and Lifemark Health Group, Canada’s leading provider of outpatient physiotherapy, massage therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, mental health, and other ancillary rehabilitation services. Shoppers Drug Mart is an independent operating division of Loblaw Companies Limited.

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, as well as its largest retailer and private sector employer. With approximately two billion transactions each year in its unmatched network of nearly 2,500 stores and national e-commerce options, Loblaw brings food, pharmacy, beauty, apparel and financial services to customers through many of Canada’s favourite and most-trusted brands: President’s Choice, No Name, Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, T&T, Joe Fresh, PC Express and PC Financial. The company’s loyalty program, PC Optimum, has more than 18 million members and is one of Canada’s largest, and most loved reward programs.

Loblaw’s purpose is to help Canadians live life well. It makes good food affordable, health, beauty and wellness accessible, saving for the future possible, and essential style achievable.

¹https://www.glamour.com/story/6-super-surprising-health-bene