I was in the bathroom at school. I was almost 16 when I started, so I obviously knew what it was and how to deal with it. Thank goodness my best friend was in there. I was able to ask her for a pad without being embarrassed! When I first started, my periods were heavy and irregular. I had two periods a month for about a year. I took BC to regulate them, but I didn't like the way it made me feel, so I stopped taking it. I didn't get cramps at first, either, but now I do.