Many girls will experience menstruation for the first time when they are a tween or teenager, but for some reason the experience isn't depicted in pop culture that frequently. For something that is so common, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding menstruation.
While there isn't a plethora of films, TV episodes, and books out there that depict menstruation in a realistic way, every so often the experience is shown or explained in a way that isn't threatening to those who will go through it.
Period-Positive Movies
While there isn't an abundance of movies that celebrate the first time a girl gets her period, there are a few out there that at least depict the process of menstruation as something that is normal and what many girls and women go through.
'20th Century Women'
This movie (which is incredible) doesn't have a scene that is explicitly about getting your period, but it does have a wonderful scene in which a teen boy named Jamie is encouraged to say the word "menstruation" until he feels confident doing so.
'The Runaways'
In The Runaways, Dakota Fanning's character gets her period while she is out and about, wearing a skirt and without supplies. As many a girl and woman before and after have done, she uses toilet paper to solve the problem temporarily and rallies. The scene is refreshingly low-key.
'No Strings Attached'
In one sweet scene, two women who are roommates have their periods at the same time when a man who is pursuing one of them arrives with music and cupcakes.
Period-Positive TV Episodes
Television has offered up many more period-positive experiences, many of which are on shows that are family-friendly (or at least tween- and teen-friendly). Here are a few episodes that really stand out.
'Roseanne' — Season 1, Episode 15
In this episode, Roseanne and Dan are trying to figure out why their second daughter, Darlene, is so worked up. They assume it has something to do with an upcoming basketball game, but Darlene eventually confesses that she's really just anxious about her first period.
'Black-ish' — Season 4, Episode 6
Diane gets her period for the first time in this episode, and all the women around her celebrate her and help usher her into this new phase of her life. It's a sweet moment that ends up being one that is empowering and bold.
'Blossom' — Season 1, Episode 2
The TV show Blossom was playing absolutely zero games when the writers decided to set up an episode about periods early on. You can watch the entire episode for free on YouTube, and it's definitely worth the 20 minutes.
Period-Positive Books
Unfortunately, for something that so many girls will experience, there has been a lack of young adult books that feature and mention periods. However, there are a few classics out there, including the three listed below.
'Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret' by Judy Blume
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is considered one of the best coming-of-age books for girls of all time. Margaret is a 12-year-old girl who has just moved to a new town and ends up forming a secret club with friends. The girls talk about everything, including getting their periods for the first time.
'Waiting for It' by Chrissie Keighery
Waiting for It is a coming-of-age story that addresses, among other things, what getting your period for the first time is like. The book is about 13-year-old Hazel, who is navigating a multitude of challenges and first times as she grows up, and who is doing so the best way that she can.
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