I was 11 and I got it just before my birthday. I had cramps the day before and I remember the I went to downstairs toilet because I thought I was going to be sick. I think I knew what was going to happen though. The next day I went to the toilet and there was brown all in my underwear. I was sad because I wanted it to be red and pretty. I went out and my mom was paying bills and I told her. She said “Congratulations, it happens to the best of us.” “But it only happens to girls…” I said. “Right.” She looked at me with a DUH face. I always get really bad cramps but I never say anything, it’s not something I’m comfortable speaking about with her. She was going through menopause when I was going through puberty, emotions were running high in the house at that time. My mom asked me if I was pregnant a few weeks ago because I haven’t put tampons on the shopping list. I forgot to mention that I got a menstrual cup, she was completely grossed out.