A Manifested Period

Ashley P.  •   California  •  27

It seemed as though all of my friends and classmates started their period. After gym class one day in the eighth grade, I asked my friend for a pad even though I had not started yet. She passed it to me so simply and I was kind of upset because it didn’t feel magical. 

When I lifted from the toilet seat, I saw blood and thought “what the hell?”. I wasn’t supposed to start yet. I guess in a way my mind told me to ask for a pad knowing that I started.

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My eighth grade leadership class was going to Burger King. A friend and I ran to complete an errand. I told her that I started my period and she asked “why are we running?” and I thought “good question”. I called my mom on my Nokia phone. Then I got a large chocolate milkshake.

Telephone Mystery

Ana K.  •   Brazil  •  28

I went to the bathroom while my mom was in the next room talking on the phone. I left the bathroom with my panties in one hand and told her “I think I just shat myself.”

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She then said, on the phone: “OMG, my daughter just got her first period!”. I still don’t know who she was talking to.

Speechless Phone Call

Rebeka R.  •   Chihuahua, Mexico  •  29

Growing up I was a very independent kid, but my mother and my grandmother were always so overprotective. I couldn't wait to get my period so I could finally be a woman and be allowed to do stuff on my own. 

I was 12 years old and, even though I was expecting it for years, that day at school it got me by surprise. At first I thought I was getting sick, because my stomach hurt, so I went to the restroom to see if it could help and that's when I see it: the dark-brownish surprise.

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I was so speechless and terrified that I had to call my mom from a public phone and I couldn't say it out loud! I told her that I needed her to come to school and my exact words were: "Mom, wait, I need you to bring me... something." She understood perfectly and when she got there she helped me to figure stuff out. 

As you all know, you don't magically become a "grown-up" overnight after you get your period. I did, however, discover a few years later that you don't need a specific age, or period, to start becoming the strong and independent woman you aspire to be.