Periods are something that every woman experiences, but the way they are perceived and handled varies widely depending on the individual, their culture, and the times in which they live. I recently had the chance to speak with Allison Cusato who shared her journey with her period—from the confusion and shame of her first period to the empowerment she now feels in understanding her body. Here’s a look at her personal story and reflections on how her experiences with menstruation have evolved over the years.
The Early Years: Uncertainty and Silence
When Allison first got her period at the age of 13, she already knew what it was, but there were still many unanswered questions. Like most young girls, she had been taught about menstruation, but it wasn’t something openly discussed in her family. In fact, her mother seemed nervous about the topic, and her peers appeared to be excited in ways she didn’t fully understand. “I had read Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” she said, “but I still had a lot of questions about how bodies worked, whether I would stop getting my period someday, or if it was possible to never have one at all.”
The cultural taboo around menstruation that she grew up with made it a topic no one was eager to discuss. Her family’s approach was one of silence and shame, seeing her first period as something to be hidden or whispered about. This feeling of discomfort and secrecy extended to her friends too. “I didn’t feel like I could openly talk about it with my friends until I was much older,” she shared.
A Humiliating First Experience
Her first period arrived unexpectedly one summer day when she was outside with friends. She was in the bathroom when she realized she had started menstruating. “I told my mom, and she gave me a sanitary napkin,” she recalled. “She immediately told my dad, who congratulated me and warned me not to throw sanitary products down the toilet.” This well-meaning but awkward exchange left her feeling humiliated, and the experience of wearing a sanitary napkin felt uncomfortable, almost like wearing a diaper. The weight of societal expectations around menstruation and her own confusion made her retreat into silence.
“Unpleasant” was the word she used to describe her first period. The lack of support or open communication about menstruation made it more of a burden than a natural part of life.
What She Wishes She Had Known
One of the biggest things she wished she had known before her first period was how to track her cycle and recognize the normal patterns of her body. “It would be helpful if young women were taught how to track cycles and notice the patterns within their bodies during each month,” she said. “If done in a celebratory way, it could change the tone for how menstruation is experienced throughout the years.”
She also emphasized the importance of teaching young girls about the different types of menstrual products available, how to use them, and what symptoms are normal and which ones require medical attention. “Understanding your body is empowering,” she said, “and knowing what is normal allows you to advocate for yourself.”
Growth and Empowerment
As an adult, her relationship with her period has evolved. Now in her late 40s and experiencing perimenopause, she feels much healthier and more connected to her body. She’s learned to listen to her body and care for it through each phase of her cycle. “I once saw self-care as weakness. Now I see it as defiant and a strength,” she reflected.
What once seemed like a burden is now something she approaches with respect. Her experience with menstruation has taught her resilience and adaptability. “The female body is extraordinary,” she said, “and I’ve learned to appreciate it more as I’ve grown older.”
Advice for the Next Generation
Her advice for young girls just starting their journey with menstruation is simple: “Every feeling you are having is valid. The female body is extraordinary. Create rituals to celebrate its remarkability.” She believes that with the right education, support, and self-care, girls today can have a far more positive relationship with their periods than she did.
Changing the Conversation
Her story highlights how much society’s view of periods has changed over the years. The young women she teaches today are more open about their bodies and not afraid to advocate for themselves when they’re on their periods. This shift in perception is something that can be celebrated—by teaching young girls how to embrace their menstrual cycles and how to appreciate the remarkable bodies they have.
Ultimately, her journey reflects a larger truth: that periods are a natural part of life that should be respected, understood, and celebrated. With better education, more open conversations, and a healthier attitude toward menstruation, the stigma that once surrounded periods can finally be put to rest.