I got my first one, at age 12. Was with my maternal grandparents. Fortunately happened right before we were ready to drive from Maine to Mystic, CT. My grandmother was quite chill about the experience and was had some overnight pads due to the years of caregiving for my great grandmother who had a prolapsed uterus. (To add...back then depends were not a thing) She had passed away earlier that year. I actually needed the overnights as it was heavy.
I would go 2 weeks heavy for years until I started the pill at 18. And during medical exams during those years on the pill nurses would raise eyebrows that I would say heavy the entire week.
Thinking back, as I used to track this, symptoms alternated months. Cramps one. Headaches another. Backpain yet another. Moods-meh, not too drastic.
I've been lucky so far, as by my age both my mom and her mom had had D&Cs and issues with fibroids.
I think my mom was closer to 50 when menopause began. So, I still have more years to go.
Because, I have been heavier with bleeding all these year, pads have been the more practical solution, not that I don't alternate with tampons as days progress. I've ruined so many sheets and mattress pads through the years. I cannot imagine a cup ever working for me.