I discovered my first period at a public swimming pool, a place my mom took my brother and I often as kids. When we finished swimming, I went to shower up in the girl’s room. There I found some brownish spots on my underwear. Though surprised, I didn’t put too much thought into it. “Perhaps I just dropped the underwear on the ground and they got dirty,” I reasoned.
But when I got home, I saw fresh red blood flowing from inside of me. I started crying. I ran to my mother, shouting in panic, “Mom, I’m going to die! I’m going to die! I’m bleeding.” My mother smiled and comforted me, lovingly, “You’re not dying, my dear child, you are becoming a woman.”
You may be amazed at my ignorance. I was 11 years old, growing up in China right after the Cultural Revolution. Sexual education was non-existent then. In high school, we were sent home to self-study when it came time for biology class. I felt that there was a big secret that no one wanted to talk about – or dared to talk about. We were left groping in the dark for one of the mysteries of life.
It is no wonder that primitive cultures incorporated taboos around the menstrual process. Without proper understanding of the underlying biological basis, menstruation can look quite threatening. It seems to be a recurrent bleeding, every twenty-eight days, without any apparent wound or injury. And because the cycle mirrors that of the moon, the process appears supernatural. Further confusing is the fact that menstruation occurs exclusively in females, disappears during pregnancy, and stops at middle age. Weird. And what bleeds for 5 days and doesn’t die?
History also suggests that menstrual bleeding has long been perceived as impure by the major religions. At one time Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism all placed restrictions on physical intimacy, cooking, attending places of worship, and sometimes required women to live separately from men during their menstruation.
Today science informs us that menstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining (womb). It occurs on a regular basis in reproductive-age females of certain mammal species. That’s it. And this doesn’t sound mysterious at all. But the conversation doesn’t end there. Modern science has also invented the term “Premenstrual Syndromes” to explain the various physical, mental, and emotional ordeals that many women experience before and during their periods. Each woman has her unique experience, and no two are alike. So there are still some unresolved mysteries.
The biggest mystery of all is the creation of life. Menstruation is an integral part of the creation of life. But while it’s truly no longer a source of mystery, around the world varied perceptions persist. Whether it is dirty or purifying, whether it is weakness or strength, menstruation is open to interpretation according to our beliefs and understanding. What is yours?
Hey Jing! I am 13 years old and i still havent gotten my period yet. I have had vaginal discharge for a year now. I have some black armpit hairs and visible black pubic hairs. Do you might know when i will get my period???
Dejah
The same thing happened for me until I got my first period. For me it was two years after I had pubic hair growing in and one year of vaginal discharge. The first year I had my period I maybe had it maybe 7 times then the second year I had it about every month but not always. And now after having it a whole 8 years it has finally evened out to come every month and begin causing me pain and emotional issue ( though my mother disagrees and says I always got angry and weepy around my period) I think she just wanted me to welcome it as a gift rather then wishing I was a boy so she talked alot about it to me haha! Anyway I think it verier person to person my cousin got pubic hair and pre period discharge 2 almost three years before her period and a friend of mine got hers the same year the discharge happened regularly. You probably won’t notice any emotional symptoms for the first while though but I hope this helps 🙂 happy blossoming!
My Not-A-Period Story (by Lara)
I was about 10, and staying at my Grandma’s place. I knew about periods by then however was not prepared for my Grandmother’s eagerness in the matter.
One night I picked a scab on my knee and bled all over the bed. I used a tissue to wipe it and left it on the bedside table, which my grandmother found in the morning. She asked me what it was and I told her .. even revealing my scabby knee. “Now my dear, this is nothing to be ashamed of”, she said. “This is totally normal”. I insisted that it wasn’t what she thought it was .. like, wasn’t my kneecap enough evidence for her, but No.. it seemed that it wasn’t.
Off we went to the supermarket to proudly buy me some pads, complete with my Grandad in tow. I think Grandma truly wanted to be present for this momentous occasion in my life.. that wasn’t!!!
What a cute and lovely story. Thanks for sharing it Lara! I hope your real first period was a lovely one as well 🙂
Wow it must have caught you by surprise Miranda! Did you know what it was? I had no clue when I had my first one!
By the way, are you using our free period calendar and PMS tracker? It’s a great tool to track your period and mood so you can be prepared and take better care of yourself during those times and feel better!
I found out that I started for the 1st time at school!! And it was horrible!!! Now Its been a year so its starting to happen reguarlly. I get really moody!!