Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

Coping With Period Pain
If you have ever experienced severe period pain, then you know first-hand how debilitating it can be. For some lucky few, the monthly bleed comes and goes with relative ease, and cramps might come once in a blue moon, if at all. For others, every month brings a jackhammer-like thudding in the pubic region, heavy bleeding, back and leg pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
By Jupiter Grant5 years ago in Viva
'Mate.'
"'Scuse me, mate, where's the jam?" I turn, looking around because it’s not my department and I have to read the aisle signs, and he doesn't even notice his mistake until I speak.
By Kay Knighting5 years ago in Viva
Defying Your Destiny
From a young age, it was clear to my parents that I was not going to be one of those "girly-girls" dressing up in a princess outfit and hosting tea parties. I was always much more fascinated with dinosaurs and dragons than anything else. I was a quiet kid, often keeping to myself and reading. I was a being seemingly made out of paper. Book after book I consumed like a starving animal.
By Robin Laurinec5 years ago in Viva
Beauty Unleashed!
Body shaming hurts ten times worse when it's YOU who is doing the shaming! I'm being transparent and sharing a personal journey of mine while bringing new meaning to the phrase "love the skin you're in!" I took the picture you see last month and it was an unexpected moment of breakthrough for me! See, I typically would only take pics from the chest up or just a simple selfie. I had not felt confident about taking full body pictures of myself since high school, which was many years ago. I was out with friends wearing the dress you see in the picture. It was new and I felt like showing it off a little so I decided to wear it not knowing that day would be a life changing moment to remember! Everything was fine until one of my friends asked me to take a picture in my new dress. I immediately shook my head and told him I didn't want any full body pics and he didn't understand why I was feeling the way I did. He and the rest of my friends kept telling me how beautiful I looked in my dress and how I should really have a picture taken.
By Aundrya Richardson5 years ago in Viva
How common is arousal non-concordance
Arousal non-concordance / wetness There are a variety of factors that can cause wetness. Genital lubrication happens to be a natural process of the physiological functioning of females. Experts reveal that genital lubrication is necessary to protect from pain or tearing. Moreover, lubrication is a way by which vulvas self-clean themselves, maintain moisture, and stay free from infections.
By Harbor Compounding pharmacy5 years ago in Viva
Post Partum Depression, my experience.
Its not a real thing they say. PPD is just something that you are putting in your head. "you're just crazy", they said. I had my first born when I was 25. She was born in 2019, so she just turned two. Being pregnant with her was amazing, It was everything I thought the experience would be. From having back pain, to sciatic pain, to not being able to walk a block with out gasping for air. It sounds horrible, but that's what pregnancy is and feels like. At least for me it did the first time around. Towards the end of my pregnancy something went down hill. I was having contractions, got to the hospital and after being in Labor for over 32 hours she was finally born. My first born. Prior to her I had a miscarriage when I was only 18. Things happen for a reason and back then I was definitely not ready to have a child just how I was not ready to have this child. Or so I thought I was ready.
By Crystal5 years ago in Viva
Planned Parenthood Saved My Mom's Life
My mom always had horrible periods. They were always debilitating, horrendous events and she would sometimes have to go home early from work. When it was her time of the month, she always slumped down on the couch after we got home from school and work, pressing a hand against her lower stomach and grimacing every time a spasm ripped through her uterus. She was always glad when she was done with her period for the month but knew the next one was inevitable.
By Rachael Dunn5 years ago in Viva
It's Time to Talk about Menstrual Cups
Pads. Panty liners. Tampons. Sanitary belts. When it's that time of the month, no option seems good enough. They all have to be changed multiple times a day and you end up shelling out a ton of cash just for something you'll throw away anyway.
By Rachael Dunn5 years ago in Viva
Helping Women Understand Their Worth
A heartbreaking conversation She ducked her head, not wanting to meet my gaze. “I have trouble saying ‘no’ to guys. Sometimes I just give in and let them do whatever they want to me because I think, 'What does it matter?'”
By Mishael Witty5 years ago in Viva
PROCESSING THE TRAUMA OF BIRTH AND BECOMING A MUM.
On December 4th 2020, at 4:45AM my whole world changed forever. After 9 months of what can only be described as crippling anxiety (more on that in another post), an 8lb bundle of pure joy bounded out of my belly and into the world and I became a mum.
By Dani Bell5 years ago in Viva
Memberful Movement Meetingツ
Memberful Movement Meetingsツ A Space for Joy and Movement I am most passionate about joy. I think people follow me because my nature brings them home. I have been told by some that my authenticity helps them to feel into the deepest parts of themselves that have gotten lost in the rigmarole of adulthood. This is one of the highest compliments. And for this, I deduce it may be my essence that makes people want to hear what I have to say.
By Crystal5 years ago in Viva
Middle School Mystery
Oh, the sweet and miserable days of middle school; not a little kid anymore and just barley entering the teenage years. It is an awkward stage of life to be in for most; your body beings to make changes toward adulthood that cause embarrassment and plenty of fuel for others to poke fun at.
By Viltinga Rasytoja5 years ago in Viva