A while ago, I wrote a blog called “I got my period back!”
https://www.sayasjapanese.com/japanese-short-essay-i-got-my-period-back/

There, I talked about how I had been having irregular periods since I was young, how my period wouldn’t come for months unless I took birth control, and how, after a long time, my period finally came back naturally.
I wrote that blog 1 year ago, but eventually I’ve only had my period twice since then.
However, when the period comes only once every 6 months, there is no way to predict when it’s gonna happen. And yet, carrying period products with me every single day is just not something a lazy person like me could do lol.

Then, the other day, there was an annual performance at the dance class I’m attending. We had been practicing and rehearsing for months now, and I had been really looking forward to it.

On the day of the performance, right after the final rehearsal before going on stage, I suddenly noticed my tender breasts and the pain in my lower abdomen. Thinking, “No way…,” I rushed to the bathroom – and sure enough, the impossible had happened. My period had started! After the whole 6 months, why did it have to choose 1 hour before an important performance!? I felt angry at my own body lol. On top of that, the pants for my costume were pastel-colored, and there was already blood on the crotch area. The performance was about to start, and I was in a complete panic.

But what happened next was amazing.

First, when I got out of the bathroom. I told the friend who was standing right in front of me, “My period came!” She immediately took out a sanitary pad and a tampon from her bag.
A few friends nearby came with me to the bathroom, asked me what I needed, and said things like, “Calm down.”
When one friend saw that there was blood on my pants, she lent me her spare pair. Another friend lent me something like a special stain-removing liquid for blood. And while I was rushing around dealing with other things, yet another friend used that liquid and actually removed the blood from my pants for me…
On top of that, a friend who came to watch the performance gave me medicine for period pain.

Such amazing teamwork..
I – who was on the verge of feeling completely miserable with the shock of getting my period at that exact moment, the problem with the pants, the painful cramps that kept getting worse, and the regret of not having prepared anything – felt so grateful and moved by my friends’ kindness, speed, and teamwork that I almost burst into tears. (Of course, I was on my period, so I was even more emotional lol)
So this is girls’ power – I thought to myself. When a woman is in trouble, every woman around her would come together to help. That is girls’ power.

By the way, the whole conversation was in Spanish. I was so glad I had studied Spanish. I also thought that if foreign women in Japan ever found themselves in the same situation, I would want them to be able to talk about it in Japanese too, so the next day I made a short video on this topic.
https://www.instagram.com/saya_japanese_lesson/reel/DZr1UKqMiRg/?hl=en

When we talk about things like this, some people would say, “Carrying period products is basic manners for women,” or “Don’t trouble other people because of your own carelessness.” There was a female politician who once said, “I want free period products to be available in city hall bathrooms,” and she received huge public criticism, even threatening mail.

Of course, I don’t think being helped at the dance performance was something to take for granted. After things calmed down, I thanked and apologized to each person individually. But everyone replied the same: “Why are you apologizing? You are alive, periods happen. Be gentle to yourself.”

Getting your period is already hard enough, so I personally can’t bring myself to judge women harshly on top of that. Some people, like me, have irregular periods. Some just happen to forget their period products. Everyone has their own situations, and there are times when they need help from others. But if we are harsh toward other people, it becomes harder for us to ask for help when we need it too.

As for me, if a woman around me ever says, “My period suddenly came. Help!” I will do anything I can. The thought of “Why weren’t you carrying period products?” would not even cross my mind.

Periods, pregnancy and childbirth, menopause – women have to face so many changes and pains in their bodies just by living. I hope society can become a little kinder toward women going through these things.

Girls’ power – thank you so much!

                                                                                                                                                         (Translated by Thanh Van)