I'm Nervous About Getting My First Period. What If Everything Goes Wrong?

What if you get your first period while you're at school, and you aren't ready at all, and you stain your pants, and nobody answers when you call your mom or dad, and there are no extra pants that fit you at school? What do you do?

For most girls whose period starts at school, it works out fine. They usually can get what they need, even if their period arrives unexpectedly, because other girls probably have a spare pad.

But what if everything goes wrong for you? Take a breath. Remember that lots of other girls — from your mom to your great-grandma — have dealt with this situation. If you have no pad, make a temporary one from toilet paper. If your pants get stained, wrap a jacket or sweatshirt around your waist. If you don't have a jacket, ask a friend if you can borrow theirs.

And if you call your parents and no one answers, go to the nurse's office. Even if they're not there, they should have some supplies on hand. If the nurse isn't in, go to the office and tell someone there about your situation. They'll help figure out a solution — or at least give you a safe spot to wait until your mom or dad can get there.