You ever noticed how the most unexpected convos can turn into the realest ones? That was me and my girls one Saturday afternoon, chilling, laughing, swapping stories, until someone asked, “Do y’all remember your first period?”
Suddenly, the room shifted. The stories started rolling in. Some were awkward, some hilarious, and a few, honestly, just heartbreaking. And in between the laughs and “same here, sis!” moments, it hit me: most of us walked into that phase of life confused, unprepared, and low-key scared.
One of my friends said she thought she was dying. Another hid her stained clothes because she didn’t want her mum to find out. And me? I remember just freezing in place, like my body had betrayed me.
Hey girl, it’s Lizzy B here, and if no one’s ever brought this talk to you before, I’m doing it now. Because we don’t talk about this enough. And we should. Our first-period stories matter, not just for what happened, but for what they teach us about how we can show up better, together.
Let’s talk, woman to woman, one babe to the other.
It’s Not Just a Moment, It’s a Milestone
Every story I’ve heard from my girls is a little different, but the theme? Almost always the same. We didn’t really know what was happening.
Take my friend Sally, for example. She said she first learned about periods not from a class or a family talk, but from piecing together whispers at school and random things she’d seen on TV. So when it actually happened, she thought she’d sat on something! She didn’t even realize it was her moment until the second day.
It made me think: why do we greet something so personal and powerful with jokes and shame?
Your first period isn’t just a stain or an “oops” moment. It’s your body stepping into a new rhythm, a journey you’ll walk for years. It deserves more than whispers and giggles, it deserves respect, real talk, and a whole lot of love.
Let’s Talk Early, Let’s Talk Honestly
One big reason so many of us felt caught off guard? Nobody really talked about it early enough and often enough.
We need to start having these conversations before the cramps hit, before the stain shows up, before panic replaces peace.
And this isn’t just on the girls. If you’re a mum, a big sister, an aunty, a teacher, please, start the talk early. Share your story. Be open. You never know how powerful it can be for a young girl to hear, “This happened to me too, and it’s totally normal.”
Early period education gives girls a softer landing. It replaces fear with facts, shame with understanding. It says, “You’re not weird. You’re not broken. You’re just beginning something powerful.”
Because when you know what to expect, you move differently. You show up more confidently. And girl, confidence? That’s a game-changer.
Tools That Help Us Feel Good and Confident
That’s where brands like Savvi Wear come in. When I first discovered them, I was like, “Umm, where was this when I was 12 and stuffing tissue into my undies at school?”
Savvi Wear creates period underwear and swimwear for teens, designed with you in mind, not your mum’s generation. They’re leakproof, comfy, and actually cute (yes, we said goodbye to the adult diapers of our youth).
Oh, and they’ve got swim bottoms too, so no more missing out on pool days or coming up with fake tummy aches.
Their Teen Period Kit includes:
- A few pairs of leakproof undies
- A swim bottom for those beach or pool days
- A waterproof pouch for easy on-the-go changes
- And a real-talk period guide that doesn’t sound like it was written in 1965
Honestly, it’s the period starter pack every girl deserves.
Owning Your Story, One Flow at a Time
Maybe your first period caught you off guard. Maybe it’s still on the way. Either way, it’s okay. Your journey is yours. There’s no one-size-fits-all.
You don’t have to whisper, “I think I started…” anymore.
You can walk through this chapter with your head held high, your undies leakproof, and your heart open. Because we’re not hiding anymore. We’re embracing it, out loud, proud, and rewriting the story so the next generation won’t feel shame when it’s their turn.
From Me to You, Girl — This is Just the Beginning
So here’s to your journey. The cramps, the cravings, the mood swings, the “oops” moments, the growth.
Here’s to knowing your body, trusting your rhythm, and never being ashamed of the process.
You’ve got this, girl. From your first period to your next, this journey is yours to own.
And guess what? It’s going to be beautiful.
Now it’s your turn.
Whether you’re a mum, aunty, big sis, or just a woman with a story, share it. What was your first period like? How did it make you feel?
Let’s build a world where every girl knows she’s not alone.