TW: my first period experience

I’d just turned 12, and I’d been having cramps for days. My mum kept saying, ‘oooh, you’re probably going to start your period soon.’ But I didn’t believe her…I didn’t WANT to believe her. The thought of periods grossed me out. I remember learning about them and thinking 'Eeewww…blood is going to come out of my WHAT?! Every month? Pain?!!’ I was in school, and went to the toilet at break. Lo and behold…there, on my favourite white knickers was a HUGE spot of bright red. I didn’t know what to do. I remember standing in the stall and shaking slightly. I walked out to where my friend was waiting and asked her what to do (she’d had her first period a year earlier so she was practically an expert in my eyes!). We decided to go see my form tutor because I was pretty shaken up. I went and timidly said, 'Erm…I just started my period.’ She looked at me and asked, 'oh, what do you normally use? Tampons or pads? There are dispensing machines down in the toilets.’ I looked at her with wide eyes, on the verge of tears and explained that it was my first time. She was really sympathetic and she told my friend to help me out. She said that it’d take some time getting used to the feeling of having a pad on, so she told me to take as much time as I’d need to adjust and went to tell our male maths teacher that we’d be late because we were doing a job for her. At that moment, she was my favourite teacher! We went back down to the loos and my friend stood outside telling me how to make sure it’s properly stuck on, and how to dispose of it. Even though she’s moved away and we don’t keep in contact, I think I’ll always remember her. I guess sharing periods creates a bond. (actually, from then onwards, we were always on our periods at the same time!) I got home, and grumpily told my mum what had happened. She looked thrilled because I’d 'become a woman’. That evening we went to watch a film with my aunts and all of them would just keep staring and smiling proudly at me. There I was, in pain that I’d never experienced before, and a load of blood gushing out of me, and they were happy about it! I was not amused in the slightest… I’m glad I’m over that initial fear now. I  don’t mind having them. Sure, it’s painful sometimes, but it’s natural. And it’s great living in an all female household (mum and aunt) cause we all get our periods at the same time. We have packs of pads flying around all over the place, we can share our problems that month, and we’ll sit together and indulge on chocolate while watching a good movie (just like we did tonight!) It’s great for bonding! And then…there are those times when hormones are running high. Both my mother and I get quite grumpy and vicious, so we’ll end up at each others tbroats, you wouldn’t want to get caught in the middle of that!

submitted by: mytwopenniesworth