Bloody Hell

I started my periods at a member of my stepfamily's house. I was embarrassed to discuss it, and some people laughed at my reaction. starting a period is a big thing for girls, and I am so grateful you wrote this story.

Respect is the most important thing

This is a great article with such wonderful advice. Needless to say, no one that I knew took that much care in preparing their daughters for maturity back in my time. Congrats on the well deserved TS.

Great article and very helpful suggestions. I have two daughters, both having had to deal with growing up issues. And classmates! Shocking to find there are still taboos (and worse) around this issue. TS well deserved. More period pieces please!!!

My oh MY! What a considerate, thoughtful, and compassionate write! I liked the detail in the gifted touches and that you didn't let the guys off the hook here.

Well though out and written!!! A wealth of informational how to and advice!!!💕❤️❤️

Going to an all girls school helped save me a lot of embarrassment because I would always have an accident. My flow was super heavy in my teenage years. I'm so glad you came up with the Soothe Box for your daughter!

"Usual programming will resume tomorrow"- I snorted at that. Love this! I really think everyone deserves a better education in human anatomy. Even women, because I'm 30 and still learning things about the female body I had no idea were a thing... Eh hem, anyways, I'm glad you wrote this. It was basic, and light, yet hit all the important stuff.

Such an important thing to discuss and I love to see it hitting top story! Well written as always. I wish I had this compassion and help with my first period. My experience was the opposite of all of this, with no warning of what to expect, no support, and no product options. Despite almost all the women in my family having severe cramps and heavy bleeding. I had so many embarrassing moments. It could have all been avoided. And parents, if your child is throwing up and crying from the pain every time, take them to a doctor. Please

I agree with the majority of this. Only thing is the covered bin. In my family it was just something that occurred naturally. I got a mom, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, siblings, etc. Only thing that I would need to tell them from time to time was to make sure to double check that they flushed the toilet completely and that there weren't any marks left over on the toilet set or underneath of it. If I got to wipe it up, so do they. And that's how it works. Ain't no need to be ashamed of natural biological functions that we don't have control over. We never had a covered bin. Just a simple little ol' trash bin that would get changed out when it got too full. Only other thing I would say that I think should be added on this list is red meat, spinach, and/or iron supplements. Losing a lot of blood, losing a lot of iron makes one extremely tired. When my mom would hit hers sometimes we'd go and by thin steak strips for her. Both parents need to be comfortable talking about. That's for certain. Both of my parents were. Heck, when I moved away for work and into my first apartment one of my siblings helped me put together a little basket in my bathroom stock full of pads, tampons, and sanitary wipes. Oh yeah, You can't ever go wrong with flushable baby wipes. Unless they're some weird scented stuff that might cause further irritation.

Congrats on top story 🎉 well deserved 🙏✨❤️

Good work ♥️💚💙💜

A fantastic piece. Great advice and pointers. And your telltale humour throughout - She might never know the toothmarks in your tongue, but they are some of the most precious things you can give her. I loved this line.

Very helpful information! There is so much going on for women, even very young or adolescent women, when they get their period. A little understanding goes a long way.

Definitely worth the read! I'll remember this when the time comes for me to pass on knowledge and little gifts, as you describe. What a great idea for a Viva post! I think all men need to know about our cycles especially when it comes to their girlfriends and wives; ignoring it because of birth control pills...now that's a huge problem...and conversation, lol. Daughters...well, that should be a no-brainer, but of course it isn't. Western culture shies away from it, to be sure, although I have heard of this thing called "period parties" these days...Hope that can spread far and wide!

This is extremely well written… weird parallel???? This past week I have been thinking of writing a post about periods specifically for the men’s community…. Breaking taboo etc. I think you have done a truly excellent job with this piece. Would you consider doing an adapted version specifically talking to men in the community? Men should absolutely understand why a woman goes through EVERY SINGLE MONTH!!!! This hiding from it, and shunning, is what creates the shame teenage girls feel. Here in Sri Lanka they have what they call a big girl ceremony… ALL the family come and give gifts and celebrate her moving into womanhood. No shame at all.. it’s the opposite. How do we so miss this in our culture?? (Sorry for the long comment!) 🙈 You have highlighted such a necessary and important topic. I had known so many males who are disgusted by periods… literally running from the conversation … or situation! This absolutely needs to be normalised and men connected back to the very essence of where they originate - the womb! ❤️✨🙏

Brilliant! I think you covered everything. These are great ideas and I’m stealing them 🤩

Very informative!

Respect and dignity! I hope all our male readers take a look at this, a very well written article that pulls no punches

I like this a lot and I hope men don't skip it, it's important advice.

Good work ♥️