Here are a few stories from women & girls across South Africa (raw & unfiltered):

Story from Uganda:

"My first period was surprising and a bit scary. I was 13 years old, in Form 2, and wasn't sure what was happening. I remember feeling uncertain and unsure if I was actually in my period. It was a bit confusing, and I didn't know how to handle it, especially since it happened at school. To make things worse, one of my classmates noticed blood on my uniform .I felt so embarrassed and mortified. I didn't know what to do or how to react. I wish I had more information and support beforehand. I wish someone had prepared me for this moment. Initiatives like NuFlo are so important in helping girls understand and manage their periods. Your project can make a real difference in the lives of many girls and women. I'm glad you're prioritizing privacy, and I'm happy to contribute to this cause anonymously. I hope my story can help others feel more prepared and confident, and know they're not alone in this journey."

Another story from Uganda:

"the day i got my periods , they came as black stains in my underwear , after it took me hours , i frequently visited the washroom thinking i had gotten candida cause the blood wasnt blood but black stains , i went ahead and called my closest trusted friend and told her about it , she told me to describe the problem and i did , as we were going to the school nurse ,i had my back hurt and a second friend who was around told me ,you have gotten your periods ,that's not candida. i was very happy that i got my periods and very excited to wear a pad for the first time since my mum used to pack pads for me all along but never used them , i spent the whole days of my periods happy that i was also a grown-up now."

Story from South Africa:

"I was playing netball and I thought I was just sweating only to find that I just started my period. I was 15 years old I didn’t know what to do I panicked."

Another story from South Africa:

"Not fun. Somehow I ended up getting mine for 2 weeks straight the first time. Even though I was always told that usually you'd only get it 1 or 2 days the first time. Thankfully, nothing was wrong, and by 18 my periods were only 6-7 days. So I would just like others to know, that periods can be very different between different people and to not panic about it. However if you do think there may be a problem, please do talk to others or go to the gynaecologist."

By sharing your First Period story, you can empower women and girls across Africa to feel supported and understood.

Have a story to share or know someone whose experience could inspire others? Click the "Share Your Story" link below to make a difference in another woman’s life.

First Period Story

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