Over spring break, the Medical Science Academy at Lambert is going to the Dominican Republic to help with aid work.

One aspect of this trip is bringing feminine hygiene products to girls in the Dominican Republic, as some girls cannot go to school when they have their period due to lack of pads or tampons. In an attempt to get donations, the team asked for feminine hygiene products on our school-wide announcements.

This did not bode well for some people, more specifically male people, in my class.

The guys in our class looked at each other, uncomfortable, until one brave soul blurted, "Gross!"

What.

What?

What?!

I have never been the type to bring my whole backpack to the bathroom to hide my pads. I talk about my period, not openly, but I don't shy away from the topic when it's brought up. Honestly, it's normal, so why should I try to hide it?

I understand that some guys don't really know what a period is. In fact, upon further discussion, that brave soul did not know what a period was. I can't really blame them, as the subject is so stigmatized in the general public that males often just do not hear about it. And explaining it can be kind of awkward, which it shouldn't be, but it is. It's just like guys developing deeper voices during puberty. It isn't a big deal.

Periods are not gross.

They are normal.

And honestly, I feel like guys should know about them and their side effects. Of course, this is not an excuse to discount women's frustration because they might be "on their period." But if we aim for equality, there should be no stigma around normal functions of normal bodies. Guys should be able to go into the store and buy pads or tampons without being confused or embarrassed. Girls shouldn't have to avoid male cashiers when they're buying their products. It's simple and it's small, but in the grand scheme of our fight for equality, each step counts.

After a long, open discussion of periods, symptoms, and effects, two boys brought in a pack of pads the next day. It was one of the proudest moments of my life.