Got Your Period At School? Don't Panic, Read This
First things first: if your period has started at school, you haven't done anything wrong, and you're definitely not the first person this has happened to. Periods don't check the timetable before they arrive, and every single person who has periods has had one turn up at an awkward moment. So take a breath, you've got this! Here's exactly what to do.
Step One: Finding An Adult/Teacher You Can Trust
Look for an adult at school you feel comfortable talking to. That could be your form tutor, a teacher you get on well with, a teaching assistant, or your school nurse if you have one. You don't need to explain everything in detail, just saying "I've started my period and need some supplies" is more than enough, trust me.
In the UK, schools are required to provide free period products, so you can ask for pads, tampons or period pants without worrying about cost or having to nip to the shops. If you're not sure who to ask, your school office or reception staff will always be able to point you in the right direction. Details of the scheme can be found here.
In the US, just over half of schools have free period products, but legislation is still catching up. Some states have organisations like The Violet Project, where free period products and condoms can be accessed. If you'd like to see what's in your state, try searching "free period products by mail in [your state]". It's worth exploring organisations like PERIOD. and Period Poverty UK Charity.
Bringing Spare Underwear or Clothes To School
If you know you're going to be on your period and you think you might have a heavier bleed, it's a good idea to keep a spare pair of underwear in your bag or school locker. It can be distressing for you to bleed through clothes or underwear without a spare pair, so you want to make sure if you have any accidents, you feel comfortable and safe knowing you can sort it quickly and get through the rest of the school day okay.
What If I Leak?
It happens, and it's genuinely more common than you'd think. If you notice a leak, ask to go to the toilet (see below). If you feel you want to hide the blood, then you can tie a jumper around you if it makes you feel more comfortable - I promise nobody will think twice about it! If you have your own supplies at school, take these to the toilet with you and change your period products.
If you started unexpectedly, just head to your school nurse's office, or ask to speak to the teacher outside about something private.
Once you're sorted, that's the end of it. Most people are far too busy thinking about themselves to notice, and if a friend does spot it, chances are they'll just quietly help you out. Nobody wants to see their friend in distress!
On that note, if you spot a friend struggling whilst trying to navigate her period at school or leaking through clothes, you can be there for her by just being by her side during these moments. Most of us just want our best friend to help us get to the toilet, be there when we're talking to a teacher or some comfort if we're experiencing cramps.
What If I Need To Go To The Toilet?
Just ask. Teachers deal with this all the time, and most schools have a simple, discreet way for students to ask to leave (like a code word or a hand signal) precisely so you don't have to explain yourself in front of the whole class. If your school doesn't have a system like this, it's worth asking your teacher to set one up, it could massively benefit so many students!
What If I'm In Pain?
Some tummy ache, aching legs or lower back pain around your period is common, and paracetamol or ibuprofen (taken as directed on the packet) can help, along with a hot water bottle if you have access to one. Sipping ginger tea whilst on your period can help to ease pain and calm inflammation, which could be making your cramps worse.
But there's a difference between "a bit uncomfortable" and pain that stops you doing your normal activities, including going to school. If you're regularly in debilitating pain that needs pain relief for days at a time, or if your periods stop you from attending school, that is not okay and it's worth getting checked over by a doctor. They can help work out if something is making your periods more painful than they need to be, and there's lots that can be done to help.
What If I Have Sport or Swimming On The Day?
You can still take part! Plenty of people do Physical Exercise (PE), swimming and sport on their period, and there's no rule saying you can't. Menstrual cups, tampons or period pants tend to be the easiest options for swimming. If you'd rather sit it out that day, that's okay too. Just talk to your PE teacher, who will have heard this before and won't make it a big deal.
What to expect from periods in your teens
Your periods might feel a bit unpredictable at first, and that's completely normal. Your body is starting a whole new process, and it takes time to find its rhythm. Some months your period might arrive right on schedule, other times you might go a couple of weeks longer than expected, or even up to around 40 days between periods, all of this can be normal in the first few years. Things usually settle into a more regular pattern over time, but everyone's timeline is different and that's okay too.
Everyone starts at a different time
Some people start their periods at 10, others at 15, it's important to say that both are normal. There's no "right" age, so try not to compare yourself to your friends. Your body will do things in its own time.
If you're 15 and haven't had your first period yet, don't panic. Sometimes periods are delayed for a number of reasons, including in very sporty and active children, but it's always worth investigating to see if something else might be delaying your first period. Speak to your parent or guardian and make an appointment with your doctor to discuss this.
A few extra things that help
It's worth keeping a small period kit in your school bag (your menstrual cup, a pad or tampon, a spare pair of pants, and a small pack of wipes, just in case). Some people also find it useful to track their cycle using a notes app or period-tracking app, so they have a rough idea of when to expect the next one.
Most of all: this is a totally normal part of growing up, and asking for help is never something to be embarrassed about. Every adult at your school has either had a period themselves or knows someone who has, they've heard it all before, and they're there to help.
Further Help
I hope you've enjoyed this article and have taken away some practical tips. If you have any more questions about periods, I'd love to support you! Please get in touch via the link below, or find my page @rachskitchensync_ on Instagram.
Written and edited by Dr Rachel Denham, a trained medic and Women's Health Practitioner, who has worked across the charity and humanitarian sector and now specialises in women's health. Rachel is the creator of Bloody Nora, a women's health and wellbeing zine that fuses storytelling, art and science.
