Blood Bath

Alice L •  Derbyshire, England •  18

I was 11 and I’d just finished school for February half term. I was so excited as I was going on holiday the next day. I got home and went to the toilet to find my pants covered in this dark red blood! I knew what it was and I called my mum to the bathroom. She helped me clean up and ran me a bath. I was traumatised by all the blood coming out of me. I thought the bath water was going to turn red!

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The following morning I was flying to Tenerife. I’d been up all night in agony with cramps. I kept thinking, why now?! Why does it have to ruin my holiday?! I was petrified of wearing a swimsuit. That whole holiday, I didn’t go in the pool or the sea. Little did I know, that period would be one of many to come. Fast forward 6 years and I was diagnosed with stage 3 Endometriosis!

Pads & Pizza

Dani N •  Florida •  19

I got my first period in fifth grade, during a BIG exam to end the year. We're talking a FULL day. I got up to go to the bathroom and I had bled through my pants.

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I didn't freak out– I rolled TP around my underwear and soldiered on. When I came home, I told my mom and then we got pads and pizza. Not a horrible end.

Christmas Eve Surprise

Victoria E •  New York •  24

It was Christmas Eve 2005 and I was in the church pageant. I was 9 years old and playing an angel in an all white costume. Luckily for me, I didn't leak through onto my dress. After my part in the show was done, I went to the washroom thinking that I'd peed myself.

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I saw red and thought I had cut myself or something, so I ignored it for the rest of the night. I didn't pay attention to it until the third day of my period when I leaked through my clothes. My sister then explained periods to me and got me a tampon.