Your period story matters. It matters because, in a world that profits off of our shame, when we speak out about how we experience something as natural as menstruation, we’re telling society that we will not be quiet. Whether your story is one that has caused you pain or one that you cherish, telling it will help heal all of those who have been shamed for bleeding.
I gathered up some people who could recall the first time they got their period and asked them to share their stories. The words they shared offer just a peek into what it’s like to get your first period. Read on and be inspired!
Baseball and…Blood?
Story from Samantha, 28
So, I was at a Cleveland Indians baseball game with my dad and uncles. I had to go to the restroom and my dad walked me there. I went into the stall and I immediately knew something was wrong. Why was there blood in my panties? Why was my stomach hurting? After I cleaned up as much as I could and stuffed my pants with toilet paper, I was ghost white when I went out to meet my dad. I told him I was bleeding. He, being a dad, twirled me around to see where. I told him and he panicked. Using a payphone, he called my mom and then rushed me home.
My mother put me in the bath and called the doctor. Why was I bleeding?
I had started my period. I was 7 years old. I had no ideas this would happen to me. Real quick, I got the run down. No, I wasn’t dying. Yes, this would continue happening to me. Yes, I was still a little girl. No, seriously, I wasn’t dying.
Looking back, it’s a funny story to tell but, at the time, it was pretty traumatizing. It definitely was scary. I was humiliated, seeing as I was so young. I was scared of tampons in the summer months so, when I’d have my period (though I had it sporadically - I never knew when it was coming for at least 3 years), pool parties and waterparks were out. I hated my body. I felt betrayed. My mom asked me not to talk about it with my closest friends, since they hadn’t had “the talk” yet.
I wish periods, back in the 90’s, were less taboo. I wish it was easier to talk about. I don’t necessarily wish I didn’t start that early, though. I feel like it had shaped my views on my body, good and bad. I believe in education and giving back. I don’t want another girl to be scared or not have what they need. I try to give back and donate pads, tampons, and sex ed books to women’s shelters when I can. It’s not much but it’s all I can do. For now.
Dad Does Not Know Best
Story from Jessica, 27
I grew up with just my dad and brothers so, when I started my period for the first time, I had no one to talk to about it. I had lied to my friends about having started it before. So I calmly came home from school, told my dad to sit down, and then said, “Dad, I need you to take me to the pharmacy so I can speak to a lady”. He started laughing and asked why. “The outer layer of my uterus is shedding and I need to speak to a woman”.
I think it always made me feel like it was something you couldn’t talk about. It wasn’t until I was more mature and had older female friends that I became more comfortable and relaxed about the whole thing.
A Love Hate Period Relationship
Story from Vanessa, 34
My period was always irregular. The first time I bled for almost three weeks. Then a few months went by before having another period. Again, it would last for 2 to 3 weeks, then again, a few months would go by before getting another one. I dreaded it - the pain was difficult to endure but the heavy flow was even harder to deal with.
As I started being sexually active, I had a love hate relationship with my period. I would love when it came because it meant I wasn’t pregnant. I would hate having aches and feeling dirty. After having children, my feelings remained the same. I currently have an IUD, which has eliminated my period.
In regards to my girls, I talk to them about it at an age appropriate level. To be honest, I don’t have a real plan. I feel like I want to follow their lead with open communication, support, and encouragement as they need it.
The Sweetest Period
Story from Jenny, 34
So, I was a late bloomer and I remember being in 7th grade dance class and all the girls were talking about having their periods and i hadn’t yet. I felt like an outcast, especially when they asked me if I’d gotten mine yet. Then, a few weeks later, I was walking home and stopped at my mom’s school to use the bathroom and there it was - a small, quarter-sized amount of red. I was so happy. I ran to my mom’s class and told her and I remember her being so happy for me and she took me shopping for a new “grown up lady” outfit. Such a special memory for me.
My first period came when I was eleven and my friend came round to play and bake. I was in so much pain! I was also randomly furious because I thought «Well if anyone raped me before I’d have been traumatised but fine now I might have their baby!!! » But the real horror story is the first time I used a tampon. Nobody explained to me that u can’t use a tampon when ur not on ur period. So before I even had my first period I got this crazy idea in my head that I would practise putting a tampon in. (Lunatic, I know) and eventually I got one in. Then I tried to get it out. Id heard about TSS so I didn’t want it in and I tried to pull it out but it was stuck. I ran a shallow bath and sat in it, hoping that water would make it slippery. It didn’t. The tampon stayed bone dry. My sister went on about how I needed to pull it out even if it hurt. But I couldn’t!!! Eventually I managed to rip it out, tearing the fragile skin down there. It was the worst pain ever-and I’d recently torn a ligament. Then, a few months later I got my period and it was no longer the worst pain. (My house had no heat pads or any kind of thing like that so I had to make my own but I didn’t know how so it never really worked)
Mine was kind of weird compared to the other stories. Mine was really light to begin with. I may have even been having it for more than a month and didn’t know what it was. I think I had PMS and just ignored it because I didn’t know what it was and it wasn’t too bad.
One day I was going to the bathroom and my mom came in to grab something and she saw my under where. I don’t remember if she was excited it not, but she told me right away what it was, I don’t remember my feelings about it.
She explained to me what her period was like, and when u sled what it felt like she said “it just feels like a pillow between your legs”, apparently she was one of the few who didn’t get any PMS or cramps….
I was told if I ever used the last panty liners with it telling her I would be in trouble.
Also maybe a year later my dad found it about it and he was sad and hurt that he didn’t get to know about it when it first happened.