1. Health

19 Year Old Flower Child Finally Gets First Period

Reader Stories: Getting Your First Period

From Carol Reins

Updated June 11, 2010

This content is not monitored by About.com's Medical Review Board.
Before acting on this information, check with your health provider.

When Did You Get Your First Period?

I did not develop anything in high school and nothing happened my first two years in college. Embarrassing to say the least! And lonely! I was 19 and had been very depressed for years. It was 1969, the last year of the flower child and peace and love! Ya you betcha! That summer I went to spend the summer, my last summer with relatives on their farms like I had done every summer growing up. This trip was tinged with sadness.

Where Were You When Your First Period Started?

Riding a horse bareback 'up north' in Minnesota, I was 19 and 4'8' and undeveloped(and embarrassed and lonely and confused).I got off the horse and was bleeding and scared- I thought I hurt myself on the horse. My aunt asked if I'd had my period yet? Oh No! She fitted me with a huge pad and sanitary belt. That year I grew 8 inches and filled out quite nice. But when I went to my 5th high school reunion as proud as punch about my new look to my dismay no one believed I was Carol Reins and when I told them I was Carol Reins they didn't remember me at all.

Lessons Learned

  • Wishing for so long to look like the other girls and always feeling ugly, I finally 'blossomed' and became a long-haired blond with blue eyes(I lost the coke bottles and got contacts)and curves but I didn't become 'happy' like I thought I would.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.