All girls learn from an early age how to hide the fact that they are on their period. You don't talk about it too loud if you're in public, and you never bring it up in front of boys. We learn how to hide a tampon up our sleeves when we go to the bathroom, or we simply carry our whole bag in with us, all so that no one has to know that we are on our *gasp* period.

Well here is a thought for the world: it's time to get over it.

Guess what, women and girls get periods. (For the record, some animals get periods too.) Female human beings have been getting periods for millennia and we're not about to stop anytime soon. It's pretty much just a fact of life, and it's time that society can recognize it like the grown-up it is (supposed to be).

I'm not entirely sure why it's such a big deal that women's bodies go through this biological process once a month. It isn't something that we can control without going on birth control, and not every woman wants to be on birth control. Women shouldn't feel pressured to *not* have their period. You know what's a good reason to avoid them? Cramps. They suck. But because you're embarrassed or ashamed of what your body does? Not so great of a reason.

There has always been some sort of taboo on the subject of periods. There are countless euphemisms for them -- "time of the month," "Aunt Flo," and many, many more. And, in reality, why even call it a "period"? What does that have to do with the bloody horror that is menstruation? Some of the euphemisms (see: "the crimson horror") are much more apropos.

The taboo of menstruation in the United States is not nearly as harsh as that in other countries, where girls have to miss school simply because they are ashamed of their periods. And a lot of this has to do with lacking sanitary products, such as tampons, pads, or other products such as Afripads or Makapads.

But here's the thing: how can we begin to help other girls with their periods if we're afraid to talk about our own? There is nothing wrong with what our bodies are doing. There is no reason for it to be a taboo subject.

I'm not necessarily advocating for constantly talking about them. There are plenty of times where it's okay not to talk about menstruating because it just isn't relevant. But there are also times where it is extremely relevant and yet still makes people uncomfortable. If you're in public and need to ask a friend of a tampon, you shouldn't have to whisper or covertly sneak the tampon from her bag into your sleeve. If it's day two of your period and you're literally having the worst cramps of your life, you should be able to tell your boss or professor the real reason that you are simply unable to move. (And on those days, absences should be excused, maybe even encouraged).

So, personally, I've decided to do my small part in ending the taboo that comes with my period. I refuse to hide my tampons when I'm walking to the bathroom simply to save the delicate sensibilities of the (probably male) people around me. I'm on my period; it's not a big deal. I decided to write this article to get over talking about them publicly.

Ladies, it's not your fault that you get your period. It's nothing to be ashamed of or to hide. It's simply a biological process. Period.