First Period Stories: Episode 1

In this series, we will be sharing stories of our first periods. These stories attempt to normalize the weird, funny, and sometimes gruesome entrances to the world of periods. Today’s episode is Lanaire’s story.

AC: How old you were when you started your period?
LA: I was 13

AC: What did you know about periods before you started yours?

LA: I knew that having periods meant you could get pregnant. That it was a good thing. That it affirmed women and that I would be grateful when it came and when I bled.

AC: Where were you? Home?

LA: I was in boarding school in Lagos. I went to use the toilet after I came home from school and saw that there was blood on my undies. I remember that was the only time I smiled to see blood. Although I was a little worried by how much blood there was.

AC: Wow. So, who did you tell first?

LA: I told the housemistress and she let me call my mummy, and I did.

AC: How did you feel at the time?

LA: I felt so overjoyed. I felt grateful and thankful especially because I was reminded by the women around me that I was to be grateful and thankful. I wrote about it in my journal because I wanted to record the joy. I was also a little scared. I heard about stories about how you shouldn’t be around boys on your periods or else you could get pregnant, but I soon realised they were all myths and I laughed with my friends about them.

AC: Were you celebrated? I know some people get gifts from their parents.

LA: My mummy bought the whole boarding house, the boys and the girls, a crate of drinks to celebrate. Only the girls knew what we were celebrating for. And so everyone drank Fanta that day. Sipped it like I had won a prize. It felt like my body had this superpower. Like I was a superhero who was now aware of my body’s capabilities.  And it felt good. And then I bled month after month and soon it became painful but the pain like warm Fanta was bittersweet.