Body Talk
Your body, your choice? A place to debate and discuss the complexities and controversies surrounding women's' health issues, reproductive rights, and bodily autonomy.
How Does the Morning After Pill Work?
The morning after pill has become a favorite OTC medication for women who might have slipped up while taking their regular birth control methods. When taken properly, it can be anywhere from 75 to 90 percent effective as a form of birth control.
By Mackenzie Z. Kennedy8 years ago in Viva
Birth Control Side Effects
A lot of us love sex... I mean love sex. It's one of the more intimate activities to do with your partner. However, sex does come with a set a rules — especially on avoiding a pregnancy when you don't wish to have a kid just yet. That's why birth control was invented, to prevent getting pregnant when having sex.
By Rachel Blanchard8 years ago in Viva
Beauty
This one is for the people who struggle with how they view themselves on the outside. I'm no Channing Tatum. In fact I have a hard time with regulating my weight, I'm starting to need glasses and you may not be able to tell it but I'm also losing my hair, like a lot of people. I almost said "the average person" but the word average has become a negative word in our society. No one wants to be average because it's less than perfect (remember this word, because I'm going to use it later on).
By Andrew Smith8 years ago in Viva
What's Wrong with My Vagina... And Can Baking Soda Really Help?
I have always been fascinated with the human body and its organs. When I got my first period, unlike most, I was truly elated! This meant I was a woman and I could start kissing and having sex! It wasn't until very recently in my mid-20s that I started experiencing a huge shift in my own body's way of operating. It was no longer a self-oiled machine. I was not eating properly for many years and was partying extensively. If only I knew what crazy effects this would have on my sex life! I began to develop a strange odor from my vagina. I became extremely self-conscious about "her" and the odor she was giving off (especially since this was a new sensation for me). This prohibited me from having any sex at all as I was too worried about what others might be thinking. It doesn't sound like an issue for the press, however, to a girl going through a similar situation, I can promise it is. I even damaged a couple relationships due to my "between me down there" issues. I was DEFINITELY too embarrassed to talk to any of my girlfriends and found myself surprised that I couldn't even approach my own mother about the topic. Instead, I left it alone. I did nothing to rectify my issue. In fact, I made it worse by ignoring it. I would come home after work to see my panties soaked with discharge, so badly it was ruining all my Victoria's Secret underwear! Besides the odor, I was experiencing a nasty itch that I (literally) could not scratch. My girl friends and I always do a "movie girls night sleepover" once a week. We decided that even though we are closer to 30 than 20, that we would make a pact to keep our young spirits alive by having these nights together. My kitty problem got so internally and externally terrible, I stopped attending my precious girls nights for I was NOT going to let anyone get a whiff of what I was putting out there! I just wanted to be alone.
By Molly Mabees8 years ago in Viva
Body Pos 201
From the title, this looks like just another body activist post, I get that. This topic weighs heavy on my heart because I have neglected how amazing the human body is and how even more amazing mine is. We are all unique obviously: different shapes, different colors, the list goes on. But it’s time we start accepting compliments with, “Thank you, that means a lot” instead of, “No, I look awful. You should have seen how long it took me to pull it together today.” Why do we have to counter a compliment with a negative comment? I know when I do it I am just trying to let the other person know that I am NOT the way they perceive me; I don’t wake up with straight hair and a perfect skin. But that’s not what a compliment is meant to do, this kind hearted person is complimenting the beauty you hold, because they are appreciating the work of art you as a human being are. It’s time for you to see what they see. And this is how:
By Thrifty, Curvy, & Thriving8 years ago in Viva
How Do Birth Control Pills Work?
If you're new to learning everything about birth control pills, hello and welcome. You're probably on the journey to have an infinite amount of sex without the risk of getting pregnant from your rowdy nights. You're just like every other girl who's in the same position as you — wanting sex but minus the baby.
By Rachel Blanchard8 years ago in Viva
Body Pos 101
In recent times we see body pos everywhere! This is a huge leap for our society. If you want to believe it or not, our world is coming around slowly to the idea that not every woman needs to look like the “typical model.” Sure, there are still trolls out there that will never agree that a woman over 140lbs can be beautiful, healthy, and a free to wear whatever they want. But I’m not here to pay attention to negative trolls; I’m here to shed light on the constant battle women young and old (men too) deal with daily and how we, as women, can turn our insecurities into the armor we wear every day to face the world. Obviously I am going to speak from a young woman’s perspective, but I encourage you, even if you’re not a “young woman,” read on, and maybe you can get a new take on body positivity through my eyes!
By Thrifty, Curvy, & Thriving8 years ago in Viva
The Events Following My Rape
The numbness was snatched away when the doctor inserted this plastic instrument inside of me. I tried not to yell, attempted not to complain at the first sign of pain but all of a sudden I felt like a monster was inside of me and it just kept getting deeper and deeper inside of me. All of a sudden all I felt was pain all I saw was red. All of a sudden I felt like he was inside of me again. I felt like I was being raped all over again. All around me, a bunch of strangers keep telling me to hush that it’ll be okay. But thats a lie, I know it will not be ok. In this exact moment I wanted my birth giver, the only person who could help soothe my soul but somewhere after the red wore off I remembered she’s dead. I called my aunt hoping she can provide some kind of solace for my already crippled psyche, along with my body. None is provided, kinda hard to reach out when my hands seem to be permanently glued to my sides. I don’t know how I cope. I just do, I push everything down until I am alone. Until it all comes vomiting back up, I wanna scream. I wish I didn’t tell the people I care about the most because I feel like they don’t look at me the same anymore b/c they don’t. I don’t want to silently suffer but I know no other way. Every time before this, my feelings were disregarded not by the people who care about me the most but by the people who were supposed to care about me the most but didn’t. Or couldn’t or whatever excuse we’re making for them today. I cried in the shower today because I tried to talk to God, and he didn’t talk back. Or maybe I couldn’t hear him over all the sobbing, I turned the lights off for my shower today b/c it seemed easier. Today I saw red and swallowed shattered brokenness. Today I took 8 different pills to prevent pain, pregnancy, and infection. Today loving the world was as hard as loving myself. And I don’t feel strong enough for either.
By Ann Jackson8 years ago in Viva
Learning to Love Your Body
Between media messages and social pressures, it can often be hard to love your body. Sometimes self-love and confidence can even be shamed as vanity and narcissism. But none of that should stop you from rocking who you are and loving every second of it! You are an attractive and lovable being. These five tips will get you on the path to loving your body and learning to respect yourself as you are.
By Alina Gallupe8 years ago in Viva
