My knuckles turned white as I gripped the hospital bed rail.
Tears streamed down my face while my best friend and a nurse held my legs apart, and another nurse carefully inserted gauze into my vagina to stem the bleeding.
Everyone says you’ll never forget your first time—but I thought it would be because of the awkwardness. Instead, mine was marked by bloodstains on the bed, carpet, bathtub, and across three different hospital rooms.
After my traumatic experience, I’m sharing this story to ensure no one else has to suffer the same fate. It’s a powerful reminder of why we urgently need better, more comprehensive sex education for everyone.