Rutvi V • India • 21
I got my period at the age of 12 (that was 2012), and like most girls, I had little former education about it. I relied on gossip from friends, TV ads, and my 7th grade CBSE textbook, which barely mentioned it.
I was alone at home when I felt something weird in my underpants. To my horror and disgust – it was stained red. I did not inform my mom until the end of day. I slept all day in pain and finally talked about it when I was left with no other choice.
My mom took me to a private room and taught me how to use a pad and a cloth. In my first few months (I was mortified to found out that this was to happen every month), I used cloth, which caused abrasions on the skin, and I hated the whole process of washing it every time.
I eventually switched to conventional sanitary napkins available in the market. Though easier to use, my skin itched and burnt. My mom kept urging me to go back to cloth, as she was concerned about the chemicals in the pads.
There was no way I was going back. It was then I started looking into other menstrual hygiene products.
Read more about Rutvi’s exploration of menstrual hygiene products here!
