Our webinars are designed to be informative, interactive, and accessible to women globally.

Reached 100+ girls across 3 schools

Delivered practical, age-appropriate health education

Distributed sanitary products alongside educational resources

These sessions provide safe spaces for girls to ask questions, gain confidence, and better understand their health.

Many young people have questions about their periods, questions they are often too shy or afraid to ask.
The book, Is My Bleeding Normal?, was written to help girls understand their bodies and speak up without fear or shame. Now, that same message is inspiring something bigger.
To continue this conversation and involve young people directly, D.Ivy Health is launching the D.Ivy Essay Competition. This national competition creates a space for secondary school students to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas on menstrual health.

The goal is simple:

• Help students understand periods better
• Encourage open conversation
• Reduce stigma in schools and communities
• Empower young people to lead positive change
  

Theme for 2025
Leading the Change for Menstrual Health in Our Schools
This theme encourages students to think about how schools can become safer and more supportive for girls during their periods. It also reminds us that menstrual health is not just a “girls’ issue” everyone in the school environment has a role to play.

Essay Topic
My Role in Promoting Menstrual Health Awareness in My Community

Students are invited to write about what they can personally do to make menstrual health conversations easier and more normal. This may include educating friends, supporting classmates, correcting myths, speaking up in school, or sharing ideas for practical change.
Who Can Participate?

The competition is open to:

• Students in SS1–SS3
• Ages 13–18
• All genders
• All secondary schools nationwide

Every young person has something valuable to say.
Why This Competition Matters
Many girls struggle silently with heavy bleeding, painful periods, and confusion about what is normal. Others face teasing, embarrassment, or lack of support in school.

By encouraging students to write about these issues, the competition helps:

• Build confidence
• Improve communication
• Strengthen health awareness
• Break long-standing stigmas
• Continue the message of Is My Bleeding Normal?

It also allows students to become leaders, young ambassadors for menstrual health.
For School Administrators
Schools that want to officially participate or host the essay-writing exercise can contact us.
We provide instructions, guidelines, and support.
Info@divyhealth.com

Subject: School Partnership and Your School Name

How to Join
All students must register using the link below:

• Register Here: https://forms.gle/Sn8hKbsiLuCqE3MQ7 
• Registration ensures entries are counted and students receive all competition updates.
• Prizes & Recognition
• Prizes for the top 3 winners
• Certificates for winners and honourable mentions
• Recognition on D.Ivy Health platforms
• A chance to contribute to real change in schools

Join the Movement
Periods should never be a source of shame.
With the book Is My Bleeding Normal? leading the way, and the D.Ivy Essay Competition giving young people a platform, we can build a future where menstrual health is understood, supported, and openly discussed.
Register today. Speak up. Lead the change.

You might notice yourself soaking through pads or tampons in less than an hour, needing both a pad and tampon just to get through the day, or waking up at night to change your protection. Maybe your period stretches beyond seven days, or you pass large blood clots that make you pause. Some people even feel dizzy, tired, or short of breath because of the blood loss, all of which can be signs of iron deficiency from heavy bleeding.

There are many possible reasons behind this, and understanding them is the first step to getting answers. Hormonal changes can make the lining of your uterus grow thicker than usual, leading to heavier bleeding. Conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, or polyps can interfere with how your uterus releases that lining each month, making periods longer or more intense. Even something as seemingly unrelated as thyroid problems can disrupt your menstrual cycle and make periods heavier.

What often goes unnoticed is the emotional toll. Constant worry about leaking, planning your day around bathroom access, or feeling exhausted all the time can impact your work, relationships, and overall well-being. Heavy periods aren’t something you should have to push through, and they’re definitely not something you should ignore. If any of this feels familiar, there’s so much more you deserve to know about your body and your health. This is just the beginning.
For a deeper look into what heavy bleeding really means, why it happens, and what you can do about it, read is my bleeding normal?. It’s designed to guide you with clarity, compassion, and the practical knowledge you need to take control of your health.

When you’re on your period, life doesn’t stop. You’re working, running errands, caring for others, or just trying to get through the day. In the middle of all that, it’s very easy to lose track of when you last changed your tampon. But leaving a tampon in for too long can put your health at risk, and this is something you really shouldn’t ignore.

One of the most serious risks is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). It’s rare, but when it happens, it can be life-threatening. TSS is caused by certain bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, that produce toxins under the right conditions. If those toxins enter your bloodstream, your body can have a severe, rapid reaction that requires urgent medical care.

Tampons don’t directly cause TSS, but they can create the ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. A warm, moist space that’s left undisturbed for hours gives bacteria time to grow and release toxins. Super-absorbent tampons can sometimes add to this risk because they hold more fluid and may stay in longer.

To keep yourself safe, it helps to make a few simple habits part of your routine. Choosing the lowest absorbency that matches your flow is always safer than using high-absorbency tampons unnecessarily. Lighter absorbency means less chance for bacteria to thrive. Changing your tampon every four to eight hours is another important step, it keeps your body from becoming a place where bacteria can build up. If you’re about to go to bed, consider switching to a pad so you’re not going through the night with a tampon still in.

It’s also a good idea to give your body a break sometimes. On days when your period is lighter, try alternating between tampons and pads, or use a menstrual cup if you prefer. These options help reduce the amount of time bacteria have the conditions they need to grow.

Now, I’ve been in situations where a lady walks into a room and, before she even says hello, there’s this unmistakable yeast-like odor in the air. Sometimes, the person it’s coming from doesn’t even know. That’s the tricky part, vaginal odor isn’t always something you can smell yourself, and it’s definitely not always a “poor hygiene” issue. In fact, here’s something that might surprise you; excessive washing can actually cause problems. Strange, right? You’d think the cleaner, the better… but when it comes to the vagina, that’s not always true.

Maybe you’ve noticed changes in your discharge, a shift in odor, itching, or discomfort, but you keep it to yourself because you don’t want anyone to think something’s “wrong” with you.

The truth is, your vagina is a powerful, self-cleaning part of your body. It’s not something to be ashamed of, but it does need proper care. When you understand how it works and how to keep it in balance, you can avoid unnecessary discomfort and protect your sexual and reproductive health.

Your vagina is more than just a body part, it’s an active, living ecosystem. Inside, there’s a carefully balanced mix of healthy bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus that keep things slightly acidic.

That acidity isn’t a bad thing in fact, it’s your natural shield against harmful microbes. A healthy vaginal pH usually sits between 3.8 and 4.5. When the pH shifts out of this range, maybe because of antibiotics,  that wipe out the good bacteria along with the bad, using certain scented soaps or harsh cleansers, going through hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause, or even cleaning too much down there. Yes, over-cleaning is a real issue; it strips away the protective bacteria and leaves your vagina vulnerable.

A healthy vagina has its own unique signs. Your discharge will be clear or milky in color and shouldn’t have a strong, foul odor. There might be a faint, slightly acidic smell that’s completely natural and nothing to be ashamed of. You shouldn’t feel constant itching, burning, or pain, and the vaginal tissue should feel moist and elastic, not overly dry or irritated.

Taking care of your vaginal health doesn’t mean doing complicated routines or buying expensive products, in fact, simple is often best. Avoid using harsh soaps, scented wipes, or douches; your vagina is self-cleaning and does not need to be scrubbed like a countertop. Overdoing it will only upset the natural balance. Choosing breathable cotton underwear can make a big difference, too, because it allows air circulation and reduces moisture build-up, making it harder for yeast and bacteria to overgrow.

Safe sexual practices are another important part of care. Using condoms not only helps protect against sexually transmitted infections but also helps maintain the natural bacterial balance. Your diet plays a role as well; eating foods rich in probiotics, like yogurt and kefir, can help replenish healthy bacteria, and staying well-hydrated supports the mucous membranes that keep everything comfortable and healthy.

And while self-care is important, so is professional care. Regular check-ups including; Pap smears, STI screenings, and pelvic exams, can catch issues early before they become serious. But don’t wait until your annual appointment if something feels off. If you notice persistent itching, burning, unusual discharge, a strong unpleasant odor, pain during sex or urination, or unexplained bleeding between periods, it’s time to get checked.

Your vaginal health is not just about preventing discomfort; it’s about protecting a vital part of your reproductive and sexual well-being. Listening to your body, respecting its natural processes, and seeking help when needed can keep you confident, comfortable, and healthy in the long run.

But things are starting to change. More women are speaking up, sharing their stories, and highlighting the problems that so many others face too. Through this campaign, we are giving space to real stories; ones filled with strength, pain, and hope. Because when one woman shares her story, it gives another the strength to speak up too.

In this interview, we hear from Ms. Marisa, a 24-year-old British-Ghanaian woman. Her difficult experience with gallstones took a major toll on both her body and her mind.

When did you realize something was wrong?
One morning I woke up with really bad stomach pain. It went away after I took some painkillers, but a month later I woke up in the middle of the night with the same pain, only much worse. I had to call an ambulance for myself. That is when I found out I had gallstones, and within two weeks they had doubled in size.

How did it affect your daily life?
I could not go to school. I could not do simple everyday things whenever the pain hit.

Did you go to the doctor right away?
Yes, I went straight to the hospital. I knew this was more serious than something a GP could help with.

Did you try any treatments before or after your diagnosis?
Besides the painkillers and the medicine they gave me, I did not try anything else.

Was there a moment that really broke you or made you feel hopeless?
Honestly, there were a few. The first was hearing that I needed surgery, but that they could not do it right away because it was too inflamed. I had to live with the pain until then. That was hard.
The second moment was being just 16 years old and put in a hospital ward with elderly people. It made me think, “Is this really that bad? What did I do to cause this?” It was overwhelming.

How did this change you as a person?
Completely. I would not wish that experience on anyone, but I am proud I listened to my body and got the help I needed, both before and after surgery.

What would you like other women to take away from your story?
I really want women to take their health seriously. Everything I talked about was mostly the physical pain, the emotional pain is a whole other story. The physical pain fades with time, but the scars are a daily reminder. Still, your illness does not define you. You are stronger than you think.

The truth is, the challenges women face in healthcare will not disappear overnight. But every honest story brings us a step closer to a better system, one that listens, cares, and works.

If you have ever struggled to get a diagnosis or the right treatment, know this: your voice matters. Your story could help another woman feel less alone and inspire change that helps us all.

So, let’s talk. Share your story. Together, we can help make healthcare work better for every woman.

Iron deficiency, also known as anemia, occurs when the body lacks an adequate amount of iron to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. This deficiency can result in a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin.

One curious symptom of iron deficiency anemia is pica, a condition characterized by cravings for non-food items with little to no nutritional value, such as ice, clay, or dirt. While the exact cause of pica is not fully understood, some theories suggest that it may be the body’s attempt to correct nutrient deficiencies or imbalances.

In the case of ice craving, also known as pagophagia, the desire to chew ice may stem from its soothing and cooling effects on the mouth and throat. However, research indicates that pagophagia, particularly when associated with iron deficiency anemia, may serve as a subtle clue for healthcare providers to investigate potential underlying health issues.

Several studies have suggested a correlation between pagophagia and low iron levels, with some individuals reporting a reduction or cessation of ice cravings following iron supplementation. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, the link between chewing ice and iron deficiency underscores the importance of considering pica as a potential symptom of underlying health conditions.

If you find yourself regularly craving and chewing ice, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, such as fatigue or pallor, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional. A simple blood test can determine your iron levels and help diagnose any underlying issues that may be contributing to your cravings.