Shower Scare

Manali H •  Mumbai, India •  30

I was in 10th grade and age 15. My exams were approaching and my mom had gone to visit my grandparents, leaving me at my aunt's place. I was informed about periods but wasn't aware fully about when and how it comes. I was going for an evening shower. While in the shower, I noticed that I was peeing blood. I was shocked, cried hysterically and ran to my aunt. (I was close to her so that was relief.)

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When I told her, she laughed and told me it's called a period. She was supportive for those days but since I come from a conservative family, we had way too many restrictions to follow and that was not at all giving me comfort. I totally disapprove of these restrictions now. And years later after having a degree in biology and a one year old daughter, I can't wait to be with her during her first period and celebrate her menarche.

Tummy Trouble

Amy R •  Ontario, Canada •  30

On a Friday night, I had what I thought was a stomachache and constipation and I spent the evening on the toilet. I was 12 and a half and I had been waiting for my first period for about a year (I was excited to become a woman), but I didn’t expect to feel anything the night before the event.

The next morning, I noticed some dark brown/slight red in my underwear. I convinced myself that it was my butt and I was having some residual “stomachache after-effects”, so I changed my underwear and went about with my morning.

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About an hour later, I knew for sure. I suddenly felt mature and self-conscious all at once. I used a “teen pad” I had saved from a Girls Gift, and it took me all day to work up the courage to tell my mom. She was very sweet, hugged me and told me “you’re a woman now!”, which blindingly embarrassed me, but it remains with me now as a lovely moment in a time where I was a complete and total moody and misunderstood preteen.

Pad Panic

Aisha L •  England •  21

I was 9 and remember being so thirsty the day before and telling my mum I had never felt so thirsty. I drank glass after glass of water. The next day, I was going on a family day out and in the morning, I went to the bathroom and saw I was on my period.

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It made me so excited but also so worried. I didn't know how many times I needed to change pads, how many I should take with me and how to use them. I remember sheer panic and anger that I had got mine so early.