A Bag for Flo was created by and is run by women. We met up recently for a photoshoot for the new website and got to talking about periods, as you do! We all had different stories and experiences but the common thread in all our stories was how much of a shock it was and how in one way or another we were worried or anxious about it. We decided to share our experiences in this blog to try and create a place for you to share your experience, good, bad, ugly, funny, whatever. But mostly as a way of putting something out there for young girls/people who menstruate to read and hopefully relate to.
Natasha, 42
Marketing Comms expert and mum on cycle day 18
I remember my mum telling me about periods and being absolutely horrified but also delighted that I was going to become an ‘adult’ imminently. I was about 10 years old at the time. The first thing I did was tell my best friend what was going to happen to us like I was an all-knowing oracle on the subject. We were both on period watch from then on, any little twinge, tummy ache or bad mood as a ‘sign’ that our period was coming. When it eventually did show up, I was around 12, it was such a surprise. I’d completely forgotten what I’d been told about periods and what was going to happen. I ran to my mother shouting I was dying because my foof was bleeding. I’m 42 now, I have PCOS, and I’m a mother to a daughter. Much of my adult life has revolved around my period: when it will show up, why hasn’t it showed up, why is it early, why is it late, delighted it’s there and I’m not pregnant, sad that it’s there and I’m not pregnant, thankful it’s still showing up so I can grow my family and on and on it goes. When I do eventually talk to my daughter about it, I will tell her it’s her companion in life and to not hate or fear it, but instead honour its place in your story as a woman.
Periods for me were from what I learnt in school and from friends, I was never really given ‘the talk’, I did not lead a sheltered life it was just something that was not discussed. I was a late bloomer and started my period around age 15, I remember being disgusted by the blood and the idea of pads. Once a month Flo would visit and I prayed it was on a weekend, periods triggered so many fears such as changing a pad in school and the noise they made when opening to PE and getting changed. I remember learning how to use a tampon, reading the leaflet and instructions over and over until I could muster the confidence. Like many, my periods are irregular and enjoy the element of surprise, arriving late or just simply not showing up at all (thanks to PCOS & Endometriosis). I have learnt that my periods really are on their own clock and do not comply with the norm (what is a normal period anyway?). I hope that in the future that those who have periods can easily gain knowledge and ask questions. Let’s break the taboos and begin those conversations, periods are a perfectly normal thing.
Laura, 31
Founder & somewhere between last and the next.
I started my period in year 5 when I was 9 and unfortunately it was before I had learned anything at home or school about periods. I was mortified and it was traumatic but I was lucky it happened at home. At school no other girls in my class had their periods, I remember being laughed at when changing my pad because of the noise and being so stressed about having to take a pad to the toilet, as well as there being multiple cubicles with no bin in. I wish that period pants had been around as they would have made life so much easier starting my period at such a young age! I passionately believe all girls should have access to them now. I have had a love/hate relationship with my period after having an irregular/long cycle most of my adult life and a lengthy struggle with secondary infertility. Now I have had my children I am trying to learn to have a harmonious relationship with my menstrual cycle again. I’m a big advocate for sustainable period products and only use reusable products.
Emily, 31, mother and administrator
I remember feeling like everyone had started their periods before I did, when in actual fact I started at a very average age; 2 days before we split up for the summer holidays at the end of Year 8. I was 13. I made the discovery when I got in from school, ran out of the bathroom and straight up to my Mum and quietly muttered “I think I’ve started my period”. She’d previously got me some pads on a trip to town which I had stashed in my underwear draw. I used pads for years because I wasn’t comfortable exploring my body and trying to insert a tampon, which worked fine for me as a younger teenager. My periods were never heavy or painful as a teen, I had no side effects. I got it very easy, unlike my best friend. I remember comparing her pads to mine at sleepovers, and her laughing (in a funny way!) at how tiny mine were. Once I started contraception aged 16 my periods stopped and they started again once I was 24 and my husband and I decided to try for a baby. After becoming a Mum I started using menstrual cups, which are amazing! I love that I can sleep in them, I hated sleeping in underwear with a big night time pad in before. I’m off contraception again now, since having my second child and continuing to breastfeed him. That’s just my personal choice, it is perfectly safe to breastfeed and take hormonal contraception, it just doesn’t suit me. My period came back just before his first birthday and I must admit I prefer not having it, but using my cup means I can basically forget about my period. My older son has seen my cup in my bathroom and asked what it is before. I’ve explained about women having a period every few weeks if their body isn’t growing a baby. I think it’s so important that boys and men have a proper understanding of what periods are and why they happen so they can support and understand the women in their lives, and I’m proud that my son has that basic knowledge already and we will build on it over time.
Coral, 31, period starting any day now…
What was your first period like? Share in the comments below
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