not exactly sure. 12 maybe? 11 or 12 I think, I know it was before highschool but don't remember exactly what grade or age I was. I remember it wasn't really a big deal. I got it one day at school, a friend gave me a pad, I went home and asked my mom for some money and went and bought myself a pack of pads. My mom obviously saw the used packaging in the garbage and said "Did you start your period?" I told her I did and she was like "Why didnt' you tell me?" and I just said that I didn't think it was that big of a deal lol I knew what I had to do to take care of the situation so I didn't think telling her was really nessecary as she would obviously know or figure it out lol