The Day I Realized Periods Aren’t Just “A Girl Thing”
I still remember the first time one of my close friends got her period. We were in middle school, and she whispered it to me like a secret she wasn’t sure she was allowed to share. I didn’t know how to respond—was it something scary? Something exciting? All I knew was that nobody ever talked about it openly, and that silence made it feel like a taboo. Years later, I realize how common that experience is, and how many of us grow up with unanswered questions.
When I finally sat down to learn more, I was surprised by how straightforward the science really is. Menstruation happens because the body prepares each month for a possible pregnancy, and if no pregnancy occurs, the uterine lining sheds. That’s what periods are. Simple biology—yet wrapped in social stigma. According to this article: https://askdocdoc.com/articles/887-what-are-periods-why-and-when-do-they-start
, periods usually begin between ages 9 and 15, depending on genetics, nutrition, and health. The first period, or menarche, is a milestone of puberty, but it often comes with confusion because no one talks about what to expect.
What’s changing now is the conversation. People are using social platforms to challenge old myths and create open dialogue. For example, there’s a Threads post that explains how cramps and pain should not be dismissed: https://www.threads.com/@askdocdoc/post/DOD0d8DigpH
. On LinkedIn, I came across a professional discussion about menstruation being one of the most misunderstood human processes: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/askdocdoc_menstruation-is-one-of-the-most-misunderstood-activity-7368259019410501633-T0Qk
?. That’s powerful, because it shows this isn’t just a private issue—it’s a workplace and community issue too.
Even more informal spaces are part of this change. On X (formerly Twitter), people are sharing empowering messages that normalize periods: https://x.com/1881713393369030656/status/1962493235424538782
. Facebook groups are building awareness with posts like this one: https://www.facebook.com/122099392514743210/posts/122139037214743210
. And Instagram has been hosting beautiful affirmations around body confidence and period positivity, like here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOD0eECinIm/
. I also found a Pinterest board full of creative resources for teaching kids about puberty and menstrual products: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/928445279437906344
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Seeing all these conversations across platforms makes me hopeful. Periods are not a flaw, not something dirty, and not a weakness—they’re a natural sign of health. That’s why I respect efforts by groups like AskDocDoc, who are putting out reliable, stigma-free information that’s easy to understand. When we share knowledge openly, we help the next generation approach their first period with confidence instead of shame.
I think back to my friend in middle school and wish we had known more back then. Maybe she wouldn’t have felt like it was a secret. Maybe she would have felt proud.