The Crisis Corner: Women, The Opioid Crisis, And The Truth About America's Front Lines

The opioid crisis has stolen countless lives and ruined countless others. It is a complex, enormous, and overwhelming problem that touches every part of the USA. It is also a crisis that women play an important role in — both as victims and as the activists seeking to help them.

Women experience addiction differently. They face different consequences and endure different forms of stigma than men do. Their stories deserve to be highlighted and told so that we, as a society, can mount a truly effective effort against the addiction crisis.

Welcome to crisis corner. Population: all of us.

4 Things You Can Do At Home For Your Cardio Health

Many women find cardio workouts intimidating. Who has the time, the energy, or the motivation to break into a sweat every other day? We talked to our partners at Montgomery Cardiology and collected a few simple tips for maintaining cardio health from the comfort of your home. Maybe it’s not so scary, after all!

Not Your Movie Villain: Fighting The Masculinization & Vilification Of Women With Visible Scars

Visible scars — especially facial ones — are often associated with “tough guys” or evil movie villains. These stereotypes can be harmful, limiting, and painful to face for real-life women and girls with visible scarring. It’s time to stand up for those with visible scars and tell the world that they’re not your movie villain. They’re beautiful, diverse, and complex people, and their scars are simply one more part of that complex beauty.

Why Do Men Avoid Medical Care, And How Can We Change The Habit?

Generally, women are taught that it’s okay to cry and express emotions, while men are expected to remain stoic and calm at all times. At the same time, vulnerability is seen as an indication that a man is “not really a man,” and he’s at risk of ridicule, judgment, and rejection from other men and women. Going to the doctor is sometimes felt as an open display of vulnerability by men in our society. By growing up with the idea that showing any form of weakness is inherently bad, men learn to ignore their health for the sake of remaining “manly.”

Wine Mom Culture—A Fun Name That Masks A Serious Issue

Being a mom comes with a million responsibilities - and stress goes with the territory! It's not always easy to figure out the best coping mechanisms - and turning to a glass of wine to unwind with friends can often be a fun and easy solution. But how much is too much in our 'Wine Mom' culture - and can the fun come with a long-term cost?

Sexual Violence Awareness Month: Highlighting the Importance of Self Love and Pleasure

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and The Fem Word is exploring the role of pleasure and safety as a way for survivors to heal. One of our Fem Word interns is a Student Senator at UVM and one of the organizers of the University’s Sexual Assault Awareness Summit. Her insight and perspective are a valuable resource as we continue to discuss trauma and healing in a way that empowers assault survivors - while simultaneously accepting the reality of their trauma and the complexity that healing presents to us all.

Long-Distance Hiking: How to Properly Prepare Your Body

Are you planning on a backpacking trip or a long hike? Learn how to prepare yourself physically and mentally to get the most out of your journey. Take steps to prepare your body before your first steps into the wilderness!

"Plastic Surgery Vacations" Can Be Deadly - What You Should Know Before You Book That Flight

The growing trend to travel outside of the United States for plastic surgery to save money sounds appealing, but there is a deadly truth to consider. Learn about the risks behind taking a "Plastic Surgery Vacation" and why proper research could save your life.

Health And Healing, Helpful Guides, Trave;Adele WhippsMarch 8, 2022Plastic Surgery, Vacations, Surgery, Travel, research

Too Much Heart–POTS and Other Forms of Tachycardia In Women

We all know what a “racing heart” feels like–but what if it’s your everyday, 24/7 reality? Tachycardia is a term that refers to an excessively quick heart rate, and it impacts millions of women all over the world. It can be a symptom of much bigger problems than nerves or excitement, however, and you should take it seriously. This article explains everything you need to know about tachycardia, including the many ways it impacts the body and ties into disorders like POTS.

Maternity On The Move: Everything You Need To Know About Perinatal Mobility

Pregnancy is an all-systems undertaking that impacts your body from head to toe. Mental health is also a major part of this journey - and your mobility plays a big role in how you feel, inside and out. Despite this, many women are left without much information on how their mobility can or will be impacted by pregnancy, especially when it comes to the “fourth trimester” following a successful birth. This article will give you the information and support you need to stay mobile, healthy, and safe as you prepare for this exciting new phase of life!

Damned If We Do, Damned If We Don't: Exploring Society's Judgment Against Women Who Undergo Cosmetic Surgery

We have a love-hate relationship with cosmetic surgery. We love the results of plastic surgery, but we tend to hate on the women who go out and get it. Why is that? Join us as we explore the issue of women’s beauty and our unfair judgment against those who seek to get it through surgical means–because we all have the right to feel beautiful, however we achieve it.

Why Women Should Re-learn The Signs Of A Heart Attack

Most of the information regarding heart attack symptoms is specifically related to the symptoms in men. Unfortunately, most women aren’t aware of this. Re-learning the signs of a heart attack as they appear in women is not just important–it can be a matter of life or death.

Bent Out Of Shape: What You Should Know About Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome And Its Impact On The Body & Mind

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or EDS, is a serious genetic disease that impacts tens of thousands of people in the U.S. and beyond. The symptoms of EDS can impact any and all areas of a sufferer’s life, from their mobility and physical abilities to their mental health. Despite the seriousness of this disease, few people know about it. We’re partnering with Restore Motion to change that–read on to learn about EDS and find out what you need to look for if you think you or a loved one might have it.

Invisible War, Everyday Battles: Living And Coping With Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that can only be understood from the inside. Painful and often debilitating, it attacks the body and turns everyday tasks into battlegrounds. Like many “invisible illnesses,” people with MS often feel ignored, misunderstood, or denied by people who don’t “see” what they’re silently enduring. TFW welcomes our latest guest, Jessica Reynolds, who shares what it’s like to live and cope with MS.