I started at just under 11. I knew about it and what it was from "health" class, but I was so embarrassed. I thought it was really icky and painful. And unfortunately all they had at the time were those big thick pads that attached to a belt. I think I was the first girl in my class to get it, so I was constantly terrified of leaking. Been hating my period ever since. I've never been regular, and now one of the meds I'm on really messes up my period, so I never know when I'm going to get one.