Breaking the Silence: Reimagining the First Period Experience

Growing up, the first period was often shrouded in whispers. For unknown reasons, it felt embarrassing—as if the body were drifting away from me. I lacked essential knowledge; while I knew some percentages of the facts, I had the basics of a sanitary towel.

I remember my first period clearly: I used almost a full pack in one day because, once I felt the flow in my mind, I feared that if I didn’t change it, it would show on me. Eventually, my mom realized what was happening and gave me some vital education. Had she not noticed, I probably wouldn’t have asked, and she would only have known when I requested a new pack on day one.

​Let’s change the narrative and do better for our girls. Menstruation is the body speaking: "You are evolving; you are a healthy woman". But in its loudness, it asks for listening. Thus, there is a need for equipping our girls—not just with essentials, but with a preparedness that deletes fear and protects them from the stigmatization, embarrassment, and trauma that mainly comes with a lack of knowledge.

​Dear parents, teachers, and mentors: let the conversation begin even before the first drop. An aware person is a secured person. Education on the menstrual cycle is not a debatable topic; it is a must—whether at school, home, church, or any other place. This collective work smoothens the process. Make yourselves approachable and conversational to help save our girls from panic. Build trust so they can confide in you, and involve them so the surprises are done away with. Ask questions like, "What would you want your first period to be like?". It will give you the room to make it memorable and comfortable.

​Among the things we can do is to gift intentional sanitary towels. You can never have enough of them, and in the event they have extra at a go, teach them the value of sharing—spreading the love to make every girl’s period easy. Also, incorporate tools like journals to help them track their periods and study their body patterns. Journaling creates a curiosity that leads to knowledge whenever they learn new things from observing their bodies. This will teach them to listen to their bodies and react accordingly, rather than just pushing through in discomfort.

​Create a tradition where older women and mentors share their own stories to help demystify the process and build a legacy of care—one that is inheritable, relatable, functional, and relevant for all generations.

​Finally, let us address periods with the urgency they require. We must set up policies ensuring no girl is left in concern regarding the supply of a menstruation kit. This creates a safer society and protects them from predators who might target them in a vulnerable state. Periods should not be weird; they should be a celebration of growth through the phases of life as a woman.

​If we act with intention, the taboos built around menstruation will fade over time. Girls will become more self-aware, which is a vital step toward addressing pressing issues like early pregnancies. Tragically, a percentage of girls are currently lured into sex in exchange for funds to purchase sanitary towels—a practice that is fundamentally wrong and must be stopped.

​As a society, we must normalize the act of giving. By gifting a pad to a girl in need, you instill a spirit of care and generosity while saving her from the pain of public shaming. Periods themselves are not shameful; rather, it is the society’s failure to provide essentials and knowledge that is truly shameful.