no question is too awkward. ask anonymously.
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.
your question is anonymous. rumi will reply directly to you — afterwards, you can decide whether to let her share it anonymously to help other girls too.
questions are reviewed before they're shared, to help keep everyone safe.
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.
okay yes. 100% normal. and honestly so annoying.
your hormones are doing a whole rollercoaster thing right before your period — feeling extra teary, snappy, or just "off" for no reason. that's pms, and honestly, almost everyone who gets a period has been there.
it usually kicks in about a week before and calms down once your period actually starts. sleep, moving your body, and not being too hard on yourself when you're feeling it all helps more than you'd think.
if it ever feels really intense, like properly hard to manage, that's worth mentioning to a trusted adult or doctor.
you're not overreacting. you're not "too much." it's just your body's rhythm doing its thing 💙
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.
ugh, honestly? periods are just kind of random at first 😂
your body hasn't figured out its settings yet — it's basically still calibrating.
usually a period lasts somewhere between 3 and 7 days, but it can genuinely bounce around month to month when you're still new to this. shorter one month, longer the next. that's not a problem, that's just your body doing its thing.
if it's regularly going past 7–8 days, or feels way heavier than usual, mention it to a trusted adult or doctor, just so they can check in. doesn't mean anything's wrong — just good to keep an eye on.
there's no single "normal" here. every body's a little different, and it's completely okay to still be figuring yours out 💙
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.
okay, big moment. i get why it feels like a lot.
so many girls have told us they felt exactly like this right before saying anything.
you don't need some perfect sentence. "mum, i think i got my period" is genuinely enough. if saying it out loud feels too hard, write a note, send a text, or get another trusted adult to help you say it.
most mums have honestly been waiting for this moment. they'll mostly just want to help and make sure you're sorted.
there's no perfect time or way to do this. whenever you're ready is the right time 💙
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.
honestly, i was so grossed out by that stuff when i first started getting my period too.
it's just old blood and tissue that your body is getting rid of, and it's totally normal.
try not to worry about it, and just use some pads or tampons to deal with it, and you'll be okay, it'll pass soon.
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.
honestly, i was so confused about this when i first started getting pubic hair too. it's like, what's the deal with it, right?
i promise you're not weird for wondering about shaving - lots of girls think about it. basically, shaving is a personal choice, and you don't have to do it if you don't want to.
if you do decide to shave, just be careful and maybe ask a trusted adult for help, and you'll be okay, it's all part of figuring things out.
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 remember my first period being super overwhelming. i had no idea what to expect and it just showed up one day.
i swear so many girls think they're the only ones who are clueless about this stuff. okay, so basically your period is when your body sheds its uterine lining every month.
try keeping some pads or tampons in your backpack or locker, just in case, and you'll be way more prepared than i was – and that's a pretty good feeling.
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'm guessing you're feeling a bit nervous about telling your mum, huh? that's totally normal, by the way. i remember when i first got my period, i was so scared to tell my mum too. i thought she'd be all weird about it or something. but honestly, she was really cool about it.
i swear so many girls think they're the only one who's ever felt this way, but trust me, you're not alone. it's a big deal to start your period, and it can be kinda overwhelming. that's why it's okay that you haven't told your mum yet - you're just taking some time to process everything, and that's totally fine.
okay, so your period is a natural part of life, and it's not something to be ashamed of. it's just your body's way of getting ready for the possibility of having a baby one day. but for now, you just need to focus on taking care of yourself and getting used to this new thing your body is doing.
why don't you try writing your mum a note or something, and then you can talk to her about it together? that way, you can break the news to her in a way that feels comfortable for you. and remember, your mum loves you no matter what, and she'll be there to support you through all of this. you've got this, and your mum will help you figure everything out.
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.