Petrina • London, UK • 34
My first period started when I flushed my toilet and saw a sea of blood trickling down the toilet pan. In all honesty, it had been the day I was waiting for. I clambered up the stairs to tell my mum the good news. I’ll never forget the shock on her face. Then the question came, “have you popped tissue in your knickers?”
“Yes, mum.”
“Are you in pain?”
“Huh? No mum.” And then with swift action, mum was in her period drawer handing me her sanitary pads.
11 year old me did not know what was in store. Turning into my school gate, I remember wondering whether I should tell anyone. No other girl had spoken about it before, so I decided to keep it to myself. As the school bell rang, I was quietly led away by the school receptionist and taken to the “teachers” toilet.
“Your mum called to tell me you are maturing into a little lady, Petrina.”
“Yes Miss,” I cried.
For the first time, I felt embarrassed and anxious. What if I bump into one of my teachers? What if one of my friends notices me entering the teachers’ toilet? I was too scared to speak, so I just nodded to every question that was asked.”
