rumi is reading your question...
rumi shares general information and guidance based on trusted health information and common experiences. every body is different, so if something feels unusual, very painful, or you're worried about your health, it's always a good idea to chat with a trusted adult, parent, doctor or healthcare professional. rumi isn't a substitute for medical advice.
it sounds like you might be going through something really difficult. rumi can answer questions about growing up, but she can't provide the help you deserve right now.
if you're in australia and you feel like you might act on these thoughts, or you're not safe right now, please call 000 immediately.
you don't have to go through this alone.
kids helpline — for ages 5–25
phone: 1800 55 1800
web chat: kidshelpline.com.au
lifeline — for all ages
phone: 13 11 14
text: 0477 13 11 14
web chat: lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat
if this is about something someone did to you, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) can help too.
if you can, tell a trusted adult right now — a parent, grandparent, teacher, school counsellor, coach, or another adult you trust.
periods, bodies, all the awkward growing-up questions — that's what rumi's for. for how you're feeling, kids helpline (1800 55 1800, or chat online) is a really good place to talk to a real person, any time.
has any of these happened to you? tap the ones that have.
checking with thousands of girls...
nothing's too weird here — we've heard stranger.
okay honestly... this is one of those things nobody warns you about but so many of us have wondered.
every vagina has its own smell. it changes with your period, sweat, what you're wearing, all of it. doesn't mean anything's wrong.
a few things that actually help: wash the outside bit with just warm water, no soap inside (soap can mess with the balance and make it worse, weirdly). cotton undies over synthetic. fresh pair every day. skip the scented sprays and wipes down there — they irritate more than they help.
now if it's properly fishy and strong, especially with itching or weird discharge or it just feels off — that can be an infection like bv. super common, easy to sort out. tell a parent or doctor, they've heard it a thousand times, i promise you won't be the most interesting thing they've dealt with that day 😂
but most of the time a bit of natural smell is just... your body being a body. you're not gross for noticing. you're just getting to know yourself.
rumi shares general information and guidance based on trusted health information and common experiences. every body is different, so if something feels unusual, very painful, or you're worried about your health, it's always a good idea to chat with a trusted adult, parent, doctor or healthcare professional. rumi isn't a substitute for medical advice.
i know 😭
honestly this is one of those things that makes you feel like you're the only one... even though you're definitely not.
when my friends started getting theirs, i remember thinking "okay... so why hasn't mine happened yet?" i was convinced something was wrong with me.
but here's the weird thing — the girls who get theirs early usually wish they'd gotten it later. and the girls who get it later wish it would hurry up. basically puberty is rude to everyone 😂
your body isn't trying to catch up with anyone. it'll happen when it's ready. some girls are 9. some are 15. both are completely normal.
i know waiting is frustrating. but i promise, one day you'll be the one telling someone else not to stress about it 💙
rumi shares general information and guidance based on trusted health information and common experiences. every body is different, so if something feels unusual, very painful, or you're worried about your health, it's always a good idea to chat with a trusted adult, parent, doctor or healthcare professional. rumi isn't a substitute for medical advice.
nooooo 😭
okay first... i'm so sorry that happened.
if it makes you feel any better, this is basically every girl's worst nightmare... and somehow SO many of us have lived it.
i remember thinking everyone must have noticed. turns out most people were way too busy worrying about themselves.
next time (because unfortunately periods love bad timing 😒) keep a spare pad and undies in your bag if you can. future you will be so grateful.
i know it feels huge right now. but i promise this isn't what people will remember about you. honestly... you'll probably remember it way more than anyone else does 💙
rumi shares general information and guidance based on trusted health information and common experiences. every body is different, so if something feels unusual, very painful, or you're worried about your health, it's always a good idea to chat with a trusted adult, parent, doctor or healthcare professional. rumi isn't a substitute for medical advice.