Day 1 comes with heavy and crazy cramps 80% of the time, irritation, and cravings for junk but 0-1% appetite for a full meal. My flow is heavy on day 1. I crave physical touches like cuddles and hugs, but nothing sexual. I change my pads after 7 - 8 hours a day (morning, late afternoon and night – depending).

Personally, I have experienced period poverty since I started my period. I was advised by my mum to use clothes because I couldn’t afford to get a sanitary pad. I think I started using a pad when I was in Senior Secondary School. That was when I was able to afford pads because I was saving part of my money to buy them. As women, we need to be able to buy pads. However, when women can not afford pads because of poverty, then the government and non-governmental organizations should come in to help out. The female gender should be protected in times like this.

When it finally came, I was washed with relief. I hurriedly added it to my tracking app. Now, because it was already dramatic by being late, you would assume that it didn't come with extra. LOL. I was in so much pain in the morning when I got up around 7 am. I was tired, I felt like I had not slept in days. I also didn't have any appetite so it meant taking pain-relieving meds was a struggle. I got in the shower, and then came diarrhoea, and severe back pain. I was able to make it out of the shower and because I always keep sanitary pads, I had what I needed. I ate around 11 am. I had oats for breakfast and then proceeded to lay on my stomach for another hour.