Picture Day Gone Astray

Marla D.  •   California  •  31

It was the summer before the eighth grade and I have very faint details, as my period, like many, had a few "firsts" — with months in-between. What I do recall is somehow telling my big brother, who was also my swimming coach, that I "couldn't go to swim practice because I was sick." What else was that day? Team pictures!

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As a newbie to the whole thing, I had to find a way to stick a bulky pad in my green one piece, look pretty (while pretending to be sick), and smile for the camera (while freaking out that my pad would show or fall out). I quickly learned how to use a tampon since, well, there was no way I'd miss a week of swim practice every month...

Mom’s Away

Krystal D.  •   BC, Canada  •  26

I got my period the one time my parents decided to take a vacation without my sister and I. This was a blessing and a curse. The blessing was that I got to make my way into womanhood with the support of my cousin, who was two years older and already well versed in the period game.

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BUT there are times where a gal just needs her mama, and this was one of those. So, I was excited to tell my mom when she got back but really had wished she was there. Besides that, my first period was pretty breezy with mild cramps and comfy pads!

SOS SMS

Paige L  •   Michigan  •  14

Hey, I got a story. So I got my period when I was 10. It was right before school and I got up to go to the bathroom and I looked down and blood was coming out of me. I was so scared, so I texted my mom “HELP” from the bathroom.

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It was so embarrassing. Then I had a really thin pad on that day and I bled all the way through my pad, pants and underwear. All of it! On my white pants, it was very noticeable. it was the worst day of my life.