by Mehgan Abdelmassih

While riding on the N train last month, I noticed those damned, lower-back cramps signaling to me that my visitor arrived three weeks too early.

I was not prepared, if you know what I mean.

Fordhams Menstrual MysteryIt always seems that on the day where I change-up my choice of handbag, I seem to grab the one missing my emergency kit.

I arrived to Fordham (a New York University) with a half hour to kill before class. I went to the bathroom with my loose change, ready to purchase a tampon from a dispenser. To my astonishment, I discovered that no such dispenser existed.

I ran through the stairwells searching all floors for tampon dispensers. I realized that our beloved campus was not equipped with the ammo needed to combat the red scare.

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My first period story takes place in the summer of 1964. I was a bubbly, active thirteen-year-old who was excited for the many summer activities of camping, swimming and picnics by the lake my family had planned. With the sun on my heels and warm wind in my hair, I knew this summer would be special.

divacup founderBut I didn’t realize it would be special in “that” kind of way…

I remember the day like yesterday, and rightly so, without it The DivaCup would never be the success it is today.

We had just moved to a growing neighborhood that had lots of kids. I was growing up with three brothers and I was a tomboy at heart. The freedom we had in those days was fantastic as we were outdoors from morning to night.

When I got my first period it was something I was not prepared for at all! I did not know too much about the menstrual cycle, had no access to the type of sustainable menstrual products we see today and the disposable products that were available in the 1960s were bulky, uncomfortable and messy.

On this “special” warm summer day, my family and I were just about to head out for a family picnic by the lake when, it happened. In a bit of a panic, I asked my mom about the blood in my underwear and she told me not to worry, it was just my period. She also told me that I would have to stay home and rest because young girls aren’t allowed to swim when they have their period. READ MORE… »

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As a late bloomer (later than pretty much all my friends), I was more than “prepared” for my first period. Having a great relationship with my mom and 2 older sisters, I knew what to look for when my monthly visitor arrived. Though my period arrived later for me than my friends I very much appreciated that. While friends were changing tampons or sanitary napkins, I was still riding bikes and having fun. Not to say your period should end your childhood, it just changes the dynamic. Fortunately I learned from friends, mom & sisters, so when my menstrual cycle finally arrived, I was ready.

Know what to look for, ask your mom or sisters and do not be shy or embarrassed when it arrives. It is completely natural. Moms please talk with your daughters and leave that door open. So whether it is period talk, boy talk, physical (body) changes or problems at school, let them know that no matter what, you are there for them! Be the friend you always wished you had.

By Vanessa Scott

 

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I wanted to get my period so bad. Like all girls, I wondered when it would make it’s appearance. I was crazy enough to get into my moms stash of tampons (super plus ones ouch!) and practicing putting them in before my period ever began. I read the American Girl book, The Care and Keeping of YOU, over about a hundred times. I was so ready.

It was January 1, 2002 and I was turning 13 in a month. I was home alone, not at school because it was winter break. I was in my room organizing stuff when I felt an unusual wetness. I reached my hand down my pants to investigate. My fingers came back reddish brown color. My heart raced. I was so excited my period had come and greatly relieved it happened while I was home. I ran to the bathroom to wipe to make sure what I saw on my fingers really was what I thought it was. READ MORE… »

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My first period was never anything special. I was just an 11 year old girl and it was just a spot of blood on my panties about the size of a quarter. no biggie but my mom wasn’t the kind of person to talk to me about something like that.

She just tells me that its my period hands me a pad and that was it. later on down the road I started hearing about how some moms would take their daughters out to eat or take them out for a pedicure to celebrate their period but I could’t see why to celebrate.

In my family I was the only girl in the house besides mom and talking about a subject like that was a topic we didn’t speak openly about. I kind of wish we did as  I had no one to really talk to about something like that. I just tell her when I need supplies and she gets them on the shopping trips. READ MORE… »

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I was well prepared for my first period. I don’t mean in school, although I was a good student as well. I mean that first time you menstruate. I had had sex education in fifth grade; I knew the parts and what they were supposed to do. I just had to wait until it happened. As luck would have it, I was wearing white shorts when it started. I wasn’t worried though, I was excited. I was a woman. I had supplies with me so there was just a rush to get them in place.

When I got home that day I called my mom to tell her the momentous news. Was she as excited as I was? I couldn’t really tell. READ MORE… »

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I was raised by my grandma, and I adore her, but when it comes to periods she’s definitely “old fashion”. I guess you could say she warned me about my period in her own subtle way, but I got far more information from friends at school than I did from her. And to tell you the truth, I really didn’t want to hear “that information” coming from my grandmother, it mortified me! I was always (and still am) totally embarrassed to talk to her about anything period related, and I attribute these feelings to the way she always made anything related to the subject seem so taboo.

When I finally did start my period on Easter Sunday when I was eleven years old I didn’t tell her. I used toilet paper to absorb my blood until I had a chance to sneak off to the store and buy a box of pads with my own money. I did everything I could to hide my period from her. Believe it or not, I still to this day have not told her I started my period, although four children later I’m sure she’s figured it out! READ MORE… »

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I don’t have kids but remember the 1st day of my period like it was yesterday. I was 11 and it was the first day of school…first day of 6th grade…1st day of moving from grade school to middle school. I started on the bus ride home that afternoon after school. I was a latch key kid and my mom worked full-time. I went to the bathroom…saw the “evidence” …and promptly freaked out and called my mom at work. Her boss let her come home early. She came into the house and hugged me and said thru tears “you’re a woman now!” LOL I will never forget her trying to show me how to use one of her tampons and finally giving up and going to the store down the street for some pads.

By Angela Lilly

 

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I struggle to be on friendly terms with what is commonly referred to as maxi pads. Although it’s been many years since I’ve used one, I remember why I began disliking pads—they felt like diapers for adults, only instead of urine & fecal matter, I was sitting in menstrual fluids.

My issue with pads began while I was in high school. I was in the middle of class, had just changed my pad, yet I felt warm liquid working its way up my crack. I knew if I didn’t catch it, I would leak, so I excused myself to the bathroom for maintenance. Sure enough, my pad wasn’t catching the menstrual fluids. I thought if I’d used 2 super, extra long maxis with wings that my problem would be solved, but that didn’t help either. The menstrual fluid would just travel up, missing the pad altogether. Also, the size of the pads made me feel like I was sitting on a pillow, or wearing a diaper. I’d had it with pads, so I decided to try tampons. I was in love! Leakage was rare, I didn’t feel like I was wearing a diaper, and I wasn’t sitting in my own fluid. Also, I could SWIM—which I loved to do—so I was sold. I have been using tampons for years ever since. READ MORE… »

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Our First Period stories are seldom told.

We share highlights from our childhood with our own children as they grow up, from the mischievous to the beautiful, from the mundane to the unparalleled. Moms may share their First Kiss story with their Teen girl, but a first menstrual story? Rarely…

my first periodHaving worked with woman and girls all over the world, I found that sharing these silent stories creates deep bonding, and has a rich healing effect on those who share, as well as on those who listen.

I encourage women to break the taboo, to give voice to their untold First Menstruation story, as the first step to releasing the negative residues they may be carrying form that time in their life, as well as the first step in becoming comfortable in welcoming their daughter into womanhood.

In the spirit of modeling, I would like to share my First period story with you.

I was about 12, and owned a book called “A Baby Comes into the World,” which was given to me by my Mom a few years earlier. Even though we looked at the detailed drawings of Female and Male anatomy, and she read the book to me more than once, when the day arrived — none of that, apparently, sank in. READ MORE… »

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