It is often made to seem like the female brain is a foreign concept, unknown to men. However, I believe we are quite simple creatures and it doesn't take rocket science to figure us out. But if you have not been able to figure some things out yet, I composed this list of things women want you to know, so maybe you can understand us a little better.

(This is written by a heterosexual cisgendered female and is taken into that context. This is not so to exclude others, but rather exemplify personal experience.)

1. No means no. Yes, means yes.

With all of the light shone on situations regarding sexual assault lately with news like Larry Nassar abusing over 200 patients, us women still wonder how men still do not understand consent. Let me spell it out for you: No means no. Being unconscious means no. Drunk means no. Not saying yes means no. Only yes means yes. And to the men saying now they don't know what is rape and what isn't, you are the problem.

2. You have to earn our respect.

I don't care what you think a woman should act like in general or act towards you, if you are not going to respect us then we are not going to respect you. Plain and simple. Treat people how you want to be treated, Chad from Zeta Sigma Apple Pie.

3. We don't need you, rather we want you.

With independent women, we choose you, men, because we see something that enhances our life in some way. We do not need a relationship, we do not need a boyfriend. Please remember that when you abuse this relationship and strain it in some way. You may be special to us, but you are not irreplaceable.

4. We don't need your abortion opinions.

The thing is, let us figure this out for ourselves. You will never be the one carrying a child inside of you, so why is it any worry to you who decides to get an abortion and who doesn't? Handle that within your own personal relationships. Get your hands off all of our reproductive rights and legislation, please.

5. It is "manly" to be a feminist.

There seems to be this misconception that being a feminist is synonymous with losing your man card. Let me tell you there is nothing sexier than a man who fights for our equal rights. Drop your misogyny at the door and come join the party man.

6. Stop talking down to us because we are women.

Society has told you that somehow you are above women, and sorry to burst your bubble, but that that just is not the case. We are intelligent and powerful individuals who have just as much potential as you do, so stop mansplaining to us, talking over us, and talking down to us. It is really a tired act.

7. Our periods are serious.

When that time of the month comes around fellas, it is serious business. I am talking a full-on blood waterfall is shedding itself from my uterus just because we managed not to get me pregnant for a month. One, think about how cruel and unfair that is. And, two, please realize that most of us are in agonizing pain and swift hormone changes we cannot control. All we are asking for is some patience and empathy.

8. You do not dictate our lives.

We are allowed to dress how we want, act how we want, and speak how we want without whatever opinions on how we should behave weighing in on this matter. We are our own people, with our own choices. Going on that, how I behave is never an invitation for harrassment or assault. You do not have a right to treat me any differently because of my life choices, we just do not see how this is fair or who gave you this permission.

9. You have a role in raising awareness.

We are not always heard because of our place in the world as women. You have a role in this. You can either be the one oppressing us, or you can be the one who uses their privilage as a male to help raise us up and raise awareness to the problems we face just because of our gender. And if you help, I am sure we will all thank you.

10. We struggle with a lot, but that does not make us weak.

Women struggle with eating disorders a significantly larger amount than men do, along with plenty more mental illnesses. We tend to be labeled as overemotional and weak. I believe we are just given a larger burden to carry, and in carrying that, we may fall behind from time to time. Yet, we are trying our best.

11. We do not hate men.

It seems to be mistaken that just because I fight for my rights and want to be lifted up in society, that that means I want to take your rights away and put you down. This just is not the case. We love men, for even all the struggles they can bring into our lives, you guys bring a lot of light into our lives most of the time as well. Feminists are not men haters, we are abuse, assault, misogyny, and oppression haters.