Human With 5% Battery: A Real Story About Period Fatigue, Family Rules & Growing Up
Introduction
Years have passed since my first period. But every month, it still manages to surprise me in its own way — just not always in the ways people expect.
Nobody tells you that good period care isn't always about cramps. Mine doesn't show up as classic PMS or unbearable pain — it shows up as sheer exhaustion, the kind of period fatigue nobody really warns you about. Slowly, I've learned my own version of menstrual hygiene.
Human With 5% Battery 🔋
The funny part? I don't really get unbearable cramps.
Instead...
I become a human with 5% battery. 🔋
No energy.
No motivation.
Just me... existing.
The Three Days I Became the Favourite Child
Thankfully, my mom never let those days feel difficult. The moment she knew I was on my period...
“Nee edhuvum pannadha.”
“Na paathukaren.”
Honestly... those three days, I felt like the favourite child. 😂
But don't get too happy... The minute my periods were over... reality would hit.
Poi thalai kulichitu va.
Even they cleaned the house... First, wash your hair.
Temple-ku poganuma? First, wash your hair.
No matter how much I asked Why?... Amma had only one answer.
“Apdi dhaan.” 😅
Some arguments are simply unwinnable.
“Appa… Pads Vaangitu Va”
Another thing I laugh about now... From the day I got my first period until I started working... I never once told my dad,
“Appa... pads vaangitu va.”
I'd call my mom... She'd tell my dad... And somehow, the pads would magically appear. 😂
Looking back... I honestly don't know why I felt so embarrassed.
Why did something so normal — just basic feminine hygiene — feel like something to hide?
“Stain Aana Enna… Wash Pannikalam”
A few months ago... I wanted to wear white pants during my period.
The old me immediately panicked.
“What if I stain it?”
When I told my mom... She smiled and said,
“Stain aana enna... wash pannikalam.”
Such a simple sentence. But somehow... it made me feel so much lighter.
Maybe the fear was never really about the stain. It was about being seen.
The Friend Who Gives Advice (Except About Fish)
Nowadays... I'm the friend constantly saying,
Drink more water.
Eat properly.
Take care of yourself during your periods.
But if someone says...
“Roadside fish sapdalaama?” 🐟😂
All my health advice disappears for five minutes.
I'm still a work in progress.
Somewhere along the way, I became the friend who preaches self-care during periods — water, food, rest — even if I don't always follow my own advice.
Secretly Hoping for a Working Day
And here's one confession that might sound strange... Every month... I secretly hope my period starts on a working day.
Not on a Sunday.
Because when I'm at the office... I'm busy. Walking. Talking. Working. I almost forget I'm on my period.
But if I'm at home... my entire day becomes,
Did I leak? What time should I change? Why am I feeling so tired?
Sometimes... keeping myself busy is the best comfort I can give myself.
What I've Learned Since
And that's something I've learned over the years...
Every girl's period story is different.
• Some need complete rest. Some feel better staying active — neither is right, neither is wrong.
• Fatigue is just as real a period symptom as cramps, even if nobody warns you about it.
• There's no shame in someone else buying your pads for you — or in buying them yourself.
• A stain is just a stain. It washes out.
• The more we understand our own body, the easier these five days become.
Good menstrual hygiene tips for girls matter just as much once you're grown — knowing how often should you change a sanitary pad and reaching for leak proof sanitary pads for women can quietly take the “did I leak?” worry off your mind.
These days, you don't have to depend on anyone else for it either — you can buy sanitary pads online in a couple of taps. Whether you reach for regular sanitary pads, sanitary napkins, or newer menstrual pads options, period comfort shouldn't be complicated. Femi9's period care products are a good place to start, with more brands now offering sanitary pads in India built for comfort on both the heavy days and the tired ones.
For general guidance on period fatigue and self-care, the NHS has practical, easy-to-follow information worth a read.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, this isn't really a story about low energy or stained pants or unwinnable arguments with amma. It's about slowly learning to listen to my own body instead of measuring it against everyone else's.
The more we understand our own body, the easier these five days become.
And honestly... that's what growing up — and women's wellness in general — has taught me the most. ❤️
If this story felt familiar, you can also read more About Femi9 and what we stand for.
