Previous to six months ago, thinking about my period outside of the misery it brought me and the basic things I needed to do for care wasn’t much of an occurrence. I only talked about it with other people who shared the same monthly experience in private. Following the stigma pounded into my brain by my traditional environment, that little voice would silently remind me, “Don’t talk about this openly, especially not around certain people.” It’s gross, right? People are uncomfortable because it is gross.