Real Girls. Real Talk.

Sometimes the best advice doesn’t come from adults — it comes from girls who just went through it. Here are a few real things girls wish they’d known before their first period:

“I thought it was going to be like a horror movie. It wasn’t. It was basically a tiny spot on my underwear. I panicked for nothing.” — Ava, 12

“You don’t have to tell the whole world when it happens. I just told my mom, and she helped me figure it out. It felt less weird right away.” — Nora, 13

“I once told my dad I needed ‘feminine hygiene products’ and he brought home toothpaste. I love him, but no.”

“I tried to flush a pad down the toilet because I didn’t know — RIP, plumbing.” 🚽💀

“My mom said, ‘You’ve become a woman,’ and I was like, ‘Cool, can I get my driver’s license now?’”

Every single one of us has a story like this, you’ll laugh about it later. Periods aren’t perfect, but they aren’t that bad. Sometimes they’re even a little funny in a why-is-this-my-life kind of way.

Every girl you know — your friends, teachers, cousins, favorite celebs — all go through this. Even if it feels awkward or embarrassing now, it won’t stay that way forever.

When you get your first period, it’s not just a “thing that happens.” It’s your body showing how strong and capable it is. You’re joining a club of billions of girls and women who’ve all been right where you are.

So the next time you’re like, “Why me?” remember: it’s all of us. We’re all in this together.