In American society periods, menstrual cycles, “time of the month” or whatever else you'd like to call them are normally deemed too taboo for table talk as if they aren't everyday occurrences for women. But they are. Periods are bloody, gory, beautiful, frustrating, difficult (as hell), life bearing, paralyzing, goddess given gifts. Periods are an innumerable amount of things but never, should they ever, be considered curses. So, if this topic does make you uncomfortable, there are plenty of other women world wide enduring worse with menstrual cramps, deal with it. Periods should be considered as open conversation regardless of society’s primitive views surrounding the female body. Although periods should be worshiped seeing as they could be accredited to the process of rearing life, women are often made by society to feel gross and dirty because of them. This isn’t made any easier by markets or the pricing of feminine products. For example, in general a lady might have her period anywhere from three to five days within a month changing her pad on average of four times a day. This rounds off to a number of at least sixteen pads a month. A normal box of regular flow pads on average contains fourteen pads so you’re purchasing around two boxes per month at approximately $3.50 each, so in all $7 every month. There’s twelve months within a year so seven times twelve should equate to $84 a year not including sales tax of course. Also keep in mind that this excludes the purchase of other feminine products such as tampons, panty liners, sanitary wipes and/or washes. An intimidating amount of money to spend on one item for sure but the monetary value isn’t the point rather the feeling it applies in association to having a period and being a woman - the feeling of being a burden. The undermining of the female body while seen on a national tier in an economical sense can also be observed on a smaller scale in the educational system and social settings. Health classes aren’t mandatory until well after a young lady has reached biological maturity, around the ages 11 and 12. This is also around the time kids transition from elementary to middle school, a huge stressor as while as another source of insecurity. So on top of adjusting to a new environment, young ladies have the challenge of attempting to relearn their bodies, an awkward process at best due to lack of knowledge surrounding their own anatomy. And even if a young lady garnered the courage to ask the simple questions of “what” and “why”, she would normally be hushed and ushered to the side as if gaining her cycle was something to be ashamed of or kept secret. That, is where the problem begins but it could also be where it ends. If society starts to perceive a young lady’s first cycle as a celebratory act versus treating it like the plague, maybe then a new conversation can start. One where being inquizitive about the female physique isn’t over sexualized or looked down upon as burden. But most importantly, young ladies will appreciate themselves regardless of society’s fickle opinions.