Early & Late

Maria L •  Washington •  17

I was laying down in bed with my parents because I was still in elementary school. I was making weird noises and my mom asked me if I was ok and I said no. So she sent me to the living room and my stomach was still hurting. A few days later, I got my period for the second time. (I had gotten my first period once when I was 9.)

I went to the bathroom and I noticed blood and I told my dad. He was like, "you have blood everywhere!" and said we'd go to Walmart after picking up my mom from work. Omg, I remember my mom had a huge smile on her face but at the same time, a little angry.

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So then my dad took me to the doctor's office and he gave me a special shot so that I wouldn't get my period anymore because I was so young.

When I started middle school, I was furious that all the other girls started their periods and I kept asking the nurse when I was going to get mine. She would say, "when you're 13." When I was in 8th grade, the doctor took me off the shot and I got my period. Now I know I was a big pain in the butt hahaha.

From Stomach Pain to Hurtful Names

Nasra A •  Nairobi, Kenya •  14

I was playing with my little brother when I suddenly felt the worst stomach pain. I usually had regular stomach issues so I just took one of my tablets and let it be. But it didn't end. It was there throughout the night and I had to go to school the next day. In the morning, there was nothing on my panties, not that I bothered to check. But when I got to school, it felt like something was wrong but I just ignored it and sat down.

We were in the middle of a lesson when I felt the boy who sat behind me tapping my shoulder and he started giggling as he told me that my chair was covered in blood. I took one look and just started screaming my head off.

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The teachers had to call my mother to calm me down because I honestly thought I was dying.

When I finally understood that it was just my period, I had to face the humiliation of being the girl who bled all over myself in school. I was teased and called names like the "bloody baron" in school for a whole month. I hope that nothing like this never happens to any girl because of not knowing about their period.

Close Call, Grandpa

Amelia B •  Canada •  16

I was babysitting my little cousin and I felt sick the whole day. I had no idea what was going on. So my grandfather came over and was going to take me to the doctor. Thank god I had to use the bathroom first because I pulled down my pants and saw blood.

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I burst into tears and called my sister who helped me calm down. I went home and had the worst cramps I can remember for the next couple days. Then it was over... for a month, at least.