Reprinted and adapted with permission from Sweet Secrets: Stories of Menstruation by Kathleen O'Grady and Paula Wansbrough (Sumach Press, 1997).

A Girl's Guide to Periods: Everything You Need to Know About Menstruation

Beginnings

• Your first period 
• I want it but I don't 
• People can be weird and wonderful 
• Roll out the red carpet 
• It's a woman's world 
• What's in a name

The Inside Story

• First, What's on the Outside? 
• The Main Characters  
• The Amazing Menstrual Cycle: A Step-By-Step Process 
• Cycling: How Long? How Often? 
• Where Babies Can Come In 
• Sex: Proceed with Caution 
• When Your Periods Stop 
• Menopause

Figuring Things Out

• Signals: How to Tell When Your Period is Coming 
• Cramps 
• Period Positive! 
• Pads and Tampons 
• Keeping Track

Celebrations

• "Why Now?" 
• Menstruation Around the World: First Period Parties 
• Menstruation Around the World: Bleeding Power 
• Menstruation Across Cultures 
• Celebrate Your First Menstruation 
• Meeting the Challenge

More Menstrual Facts

• What to Do... 
• Bloating 
• What's PMS? 
• Do I Smell? 
• Do Men Have Cycles Too? 
• Anemia 
• The Chlorine Report 
• Can You Really Flush Tampons Down the Toilet? 
• Tampon Users Be Aware 
• Alternative Menstrual Moments 
• Moon Movements 
• A Remarkable Fact

Menstrual Calendar

Glossary