I’m Jordana, 11, and I know about periods!

What I don’t like about periods is that girls are often ashamed to have their periods and hide it because most of their community tells them it is bad.

Where I heard it first

My name is Jordana Alinda. I am eleven years old. The first time I heard about periods was at home from my mom. It felt strange hearing about it for the first time but when she kept on talking about it, I understood that it was a normal process which all girls go through.

11 year old Jordana Alinda

What I know

I learnt from my mom that menstruation is the process of shedding off skin from the uterus once a month. Most girls get their first periods between the ages of twelve to eighteen years, but some can get their periods as early as seven or eight. When you are approaching your periods, you might get mood swings, some people might get headaches, your breasts might swell, your skin might break out with pimples, you might start vomiting and many others. So for some it might be hectic but others might not experience one of the above.

Jordana’s mom and sister

Will I be ready?

When I get my periods, I will go to a person I know and trust nearest to me and ask for help. What I like about periods is that it is a learning experience for girls. What I don’t like about periods is that girls are often ashamed to have their periods and hide it because most of their community tells them it is bad. Periods are a natural process and girls should not be ashamed of them.

What I don’t like about periods is that girls are often ashamed to have their periods and hide it because most of their community tells them it is bad

FlowReady tip?

When you are reaching the time around periods, you should pack a pad in your bag when you go to school in case you should have your periods there.

If you do not yet know how to use a pad, it is better you ask your mother, school nurse, aunt or a friend of yours who has already experienced her periods.

Thanks for sharing your story Jordana. We hope you’ll share your experience with your little sis – Miss Maya. Hoping too, that you will have a smooth sail through the period – when it finally arrives. ~ Flory