Not that current science can explain. But it's not exactly impossible.

Why are we all saying this isn't her fault? Management is obviously kind of bad, but it seems like they were understanding of the situation anyways. But OP should have made sure someone got the message that she wasn't going to be there, and if nobody could cover the shift it was still OP's responsibility to show up with menstrual cramps.

Obviously her coworkers declining to go in and cover for her makes them assholes too, but they didn't necessarily do something irresponsible in this situation.

The fact that OP is 17 gives her lots of leeway too, and definitely makes it the managers responsibility to make sure everybody understands everything, but that doesn't mean everyone should be teaching teenagers bad work ethic by saying it isn't her own fault.