In the final years of elementary school, the girls have letters sent home requesting their parents’ presence at a “tea party.” Only, in addition to tea and cookies, the school nurse describes menstruation and pubescent development while a room full of fourth grade girls look around at their friends and giggle uncomfortably at every mention of the word “vagina.” But, this should be the first and last time talk of periods makes anyone uncomfortable. There’s no reason for a natural bodily function to become some sort of taboo subject.

However, throughout middle school and even into my senior year of high school, I’ve witnessed numerous accounts of girls feeling embarrassed because of something they have no control over: their periods.

Most recently, in one of my classes – which is predominantly occupied by women most of the time – a certain girl walked around, asking if anyone in the room had an extra tampon. Upon hearing this, a certain guy in the room told her she should “be quiet” because “that’s gross.” This caused some upset among the other present females. Another male came to his defense, comparing her search for feminine products to himself going around asking “Does anyone have a condom?” since they both involve the reproductive organs.

He might have been on to something in that they’re both sold in the sexual health aisle at CVS, but that is the only common denominator between the two: tampons and condoms are vastly different products, neither of which are gross. What is gross, however, is the stigma that vaginas are inherently always sexual. There is nothing sexual about periods. They are completely natural bodily cycle that every female experiences and virtually can’t do anything to stop.

Based on their functions, a more accurate comparison to tampons would actually be toilet paper or Kleenex, or any other hygienic paper products. Personally, I’ve never found myself grossed out by anything of that nature, so it’s hard to understand how unused tampons or pads are any grosser than products that clean up snot or poop.

There is no reason why a female should have to pull a James Bond — stealthily sneaking into the bathroom with a pad or tampon tucked into her sleeve, shoe or other ridiculous place — just to avoid embarrassment when changing out feminine products. Tending to your hygienic needs during your time of the month should not be mission impossible.

Yeah, periods happen. Girls, pack as many as you need, and don’t feel embarrassed about taking your purse with you to the bathroom or asking around. And boys, we know blood is kind of gross. But bleeding out in the middle of class is even more gross.

Trust us, boys – if we females could somehow choose to prevent periods from ever happening to anyone ever, we would. Until then you should at least tolerate them, considering you may one day have a wife or daughter experiencing the same thing.