Making Period History

Jamie F  •  Colorado  •  29

I got my first period at the age of 12. I was in history class in middle school. During the lesson I felt something wet between my legs and when I looked it was blood and I automatically thought “omg I started my period.” I sat quietly at my desk until my teacher stopped talking, and I raised my hand and called her over to tell her I started my period.

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She knew I was embarrassed and she knew what to do. She told me it’s okay and to go see the school nurse for pads. She grabbed paper towels and placed them on my chair and cleaned up quickly as soon as I got up so I wouldn’t be embarrassed. 

Tampon Trouble

Heidi G  •  Idaho  •  27

I went to the bathroom and saw a big brown stain in my underwear. I was so confused. I then felt super ashamed, thinking I hadn't wiped. I thought it was a poop smear! As I grabbed toilet paper and wiped I was horrified to find blood instead. Just like my underwear it was more brown than red. It took me a moment to connect the dots and then I realized it was blood. 

I then had to figure out how to use a tampon the same day as my family was going swimming... and I loved swimming. I didn't know how to insert it and my mom just told me to " shove it up there and just take your fingers and push it as far as you can." The tampons were way too big with a cardboard applicator that I accidentally left inserted. I was in so much pain and so uncomfortable I ended up not swimming. I just hid in the locker room and cried.

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A few days later I was at my friend's birthday party. My period was super heavy. I had huge Jello like chunks coming out and had to change my pad every thirty minutes. I was nauseated by all the blood and how chunky it was. It has never been that thick and heavy since and I still don't know if that is normal for a first period or not.

In between menstruating I was confused what all the cervical fluid was. My mom said her mother told her that was from thinking dirty thoughts...but didn't offer any other explanation. It wasn't until I was trying to get pregnant that I read in a book about how your cervical fluid helps the sperm travel that I realized my cervical fluid was not a shameful thing.

Not On Schedule

Leah C  •  Ohio  •  16

I was 13 when I got my first period. The bleeding was so heavy and the cramps made me want to scream.

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My mom let me stay home the first day so I could get used to pads and cramps and stuff. It's been three years and I'm still not on a schedule.