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Good news: it’s totally, totally fine to masturbate while you’re on your period. If you’re comfortable with it, it’s not gross and as long as you’re clean about things, it’s not unhealthy.

In fact, masturbating during your period is probably a big benefit to you. When you have your period, all of these crazy hormonal things are happening to your body and these hormones can make you even more in the mood, if you catch my drift. So, you probably feel extra, um, cravings to masturbate during this time anyway. Masturbation can also help relieve painful cramps from your period. And if you have mood swings, pleasuring yourself has been proven to make you feel happy and to help get rid of stress (read more about what masturbation does here). I see nothing but good things here!

I mean, yes, a masturbation session during your period may end up being more messy than masturbating when you’re not on your period. There’s blood down there so that makes sense, right? I would suggest laying down a few old towels before you get busy and, of course, washing your hands when you’re done. If you don’t feel like cleaning anything up, you can also try sitting on the toilet so things are more manageable.

As for how to do it, try stimulating your clitoris rather than doing anything vaginally. If you masturbate by stimulating your clitoris, you can keep a tampon in, which will help with the mess. If you don’t want to stick your fingers in there, you can try using sex toys, but make sure you don’t already have a tampon in your vagina – in fact, if you plan on putting anything inside of your vagina, make sure there is no tampon in there at all.

So, yes, masturbating while on your period is perfectly fine and totally normal. Don’t let anyone make you feel weird about doing it (you don’t even have to tell anyone!). This is your body and there’s nothing wrong with exploring it, even if things get a little messy. After all, this is just your blood we’re talking about here. No big deal!

take care,
Heather

What’s on your mind? Heather can help! Send her your question at heather@gurl.com

My 7th grade teacher made me afraid to masturbate

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It’s a little confusing, because it doesn’t actually mean that PMS is not a real disease. What it means is that, in the words of one Jezebel writer, women are “being told that they have PMS as a sort of convenient excuse for their moods, which aren’t particularly agreeable.”

Um, I don’t know about you girls, but for me, PMS has always been a very real syndrome that has nothing to do with me making excuses for my moody behavior. While I can completely understand how it can be used as an easy out, I know it can always be something you can’t control. I’ve dealt with so many horrible PMS symptoms that are exhausting. So, here are 10 ways you can tell I’m not faking my PMS. I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to relate:

I suddenly start breaking out as much as a 12-year-old boy. 

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I feel depressed. Not just sad, but legitimately depressed, like I need to see a therapist.

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Then I get angry over nothing. Look at me the wrong way and I’ll probably kill you.

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Then I go back to being sad and start crying over everything, including commercials and also my cat’s cute face.

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I have cramps that make me feel like I’m giving birth to an invisible baby.

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Oh, and the bloating. For a week, I feel like a balloon.

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And don’t forget about the headaches. The constant, pounding headaches.

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I’m so tired I could fall asleep standing up.

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Plus, I start fighting with my boyfriend over every little thing just because… well, I don’t know why. 

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Last but not least, I want to eat everything. Like literally everything. I’m not kidding. 

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Do you have these same PMS symptoms? Do you think PMS is real or fake? How do you feel when you get your period? Tell me in the comments!

Want to skip your period? Here’s how

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Source: ShutterStock

Your period can be super annoying. Not only do you have to deal with PMS, cramps, headaches or other side effects, but it also always seems to come at the worst times. I don’t know about you guys, but every time I plan some sort of beach vacation, my period seems to come along also. Have you ever had the urge to skip your period entirely? Yeah, I thought so.

The good news is that skipping your period is totally possible if you take birth control pills. We’ll get to the bad news later (hint: it’s not that bad). In fact, recent research has found that more and more women have been using their birth control pills in a way that allows them to skip their period – and it really may not be as bad for you as some of us have thought.

Researchers found that the majority of women who skip their periods do so for convenience reasons. Getting your period is nothing to be ashamed of, but let’s be real: doing without one every month would make life a whole lot easier, wouldn’t it? You wouldn’t have to spend money on tampons, deal with mood swings that alienate everyone around you or fight cramps and chocolate cravings. And with the summertime and beach season coming up, it sounds even more tempting. Who likes having their period while they’re laying in public wearing a tiny bathing suit? No one, that’s who.

So, how do you skip your period? First of all, you need to be using birth control pills – that’s the only way you’re going to get rid of that time of the month. Then the rest of the process is super easy.

As you probably know, birth control packs come with four weeks worth of pills. The majority of birth control pills include three weeks worth of actual pills (the ones that are preventing you from getting pregnant). The last week, the fourth week, is comprised of placebo pills (but keep in mind that not all pills are made the same. The birth control pills I take, for example, only have five days worth of placebo pills. It might be more difficult to skip like this, since the actual pills end during the middle of the week). They do nothing to you and are basically there just so that you don’t get out of the rhythm of taking a pill at the same time every day. The week you take placebo pills is the week you should be getting your period.

If you decide you want to skip your period one month, all you need to do is skip over that week of placebo pills. In other words, finish off the first three weeks of real pills and instead of taking the first placebo pill, go right into next month’s pack and start with the Day 1 pill. Bam, you just skipped your period!

Sounds super easy, right? Keep in mind, though, that some girls experience spotting during the time they should be getting their period – but this is something that your body will adjust to over time. It’s also important to note that if you’re skipping your period every single month, it’s going to be harder to tell if you accidentally get pregnant. 

I know what you’re thinking: how exactly can this be safe? You’re basically going against nature to prevent your period from happening… and shouldn’t you be getting your period every month? According to MayoClinic, if your doctor says you can take birth control pills, it’s most likely fine for you to also use them to skip your periods. However, it’s important to keep in mind that while a lot of doctors say this is perfectly safe, a lot of other doctors don’t recommend it. 

Skipping your period using birth control pills can come in handy if you’re doing it once in a while. For example, if you have a vacay planned and you don’t want to deal with your period that week, this is a good solution. If you want to skip your period all the time, you should consider maybe switching to another birth control pill – there are some out there where you only get your period about three times a year. Another option is using an IUD – a Gurl staffer who uses an IUD hasn’t had her period in over a year. 

The bottom line is this: skipping your period is possible and it looks like it’s pretty safe. However, I would still suggest talking to a doctor before you do it. Your doctor knows your body better than I do and can tell you honestly if she/he thinks it’s a bad idea.

Have you ever used your birth control pills to skip your period? Would you ever do it? Do you mind getting your period? Would you consider using an IUD? Tell me in the comments.

10 names for periods that gross us out

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Unfortunately, I’m not here to tell you about some miracle cure, but now that I think about it, why hasn’t that been created yet? Anyway, while there’s no one thing you can do or take that will banish your PMS symptoms forever, there are a few things you can do to try to prevent them from happening before they take over. Ready to have the best period ever… kind of? Check out these eight ways to help stop PMS:

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Eat More Iron

Recent research (that's been going on for over a decade!) shows that women who eat more iron were less likely to suffer from PMS symptoms. So, fill up on your iron, ladies! Order yourself a steak or a hamburger the next time you go out. Not into eating meat? There are plenty of ways you can make sure you're getting enough iron - you can find plenty of it in leafy greens like spinach or beans. Start eating up and prevent bad PMS symptoms!

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Get More Calcium

You should also be getting more calcium into your daily diet. Calcium has always been super important for women, but I bet you didn't know that it can help with PMS. It's known to help fight moodiness and depression and bloating. If you're seriously not into milk, you can take supplements. Or... can you take this as an excuse to eat more milk and cookies? Yes. Absolutely yes.

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Start Taking A Multivitamin

Studies have shown that taking a multivitamin can result in fewer PMS symptoms. Sounds good to me! Before you run off to the drugstore in search of a bottle of multivitamins, I would suggest talking to your doctor about it. It may require a little remembering on your part, but if your PMS is better, I'd say it's worth it.

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Avoid Salty Foods

You - yes you. Step away from the chips. No, this isn't a joke. I know that this is the time you're craving salty foods the most, but the week before you get your period, you should be avoiding salty foods as much as possible. Eating a lot of salt is basically inviting that gross bloating feeling to take over your body. Try to resist your cravings and snack on something else instead.

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Eat More Flax

Besides filling up on calcium, multivitamins and iron, you should also be eating a good amount of flax. I know, so much eating! Who knew that was the way to get rid of PMS? Anyway, flax helps regulate your hormones and do things like flush stuff out of your system. I know it looks gross and boring, but there are plenty of yummy ways to get flax into your bod: sprinkle flax seeds onto salads, sandwiches or smoothies (they make them more crunchy) or eat any of the delicious flax cereals out there.

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Stop Smoking!

Just in case you needed another reason to stop smoking cigarettes (besides the fact that it KILLS you), research shows that ciggs can make PMS symptoms worse. I know quitting is tough, but can it really be any worse than moaning in bed clutching your uterus because it feels like you're maybe giving birth to an invisible baby?

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Get An Exercise Routine Down

Exercising at the exact time when all you want to do is lie in bed? Sounds fun, right?! No. But having an exercise routine before and during your period will help reduce cramps. It will also help with stress problems, which can make PMS more annoying and release endorphins... which make you happy. Take a walk, get on the treadmill or dance around your room. Just move!

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Go On Birth Control Pills

If all else fails? Maybe you want to consider going on the Pill. If you get the right one for your body, birth control pills can definitely help with PMS symptoms dramatically. Before I was on the Pill, I was taking a day off once a month because I was in so much pain. Now? My symptoms are barely there. Talk to your doctor, your mom, your partner or just figure it out yourself - but if your symptoms are really, really terrible, this may be your best solution.

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How do you prevent PMS? Do you get really bad PMS symptoms? How do you make yourself feel better? Share your tips in the comments!

How to get rid of cramps

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Panties with a pad for your period! Source: UndiePads.com

I can totally get behind not wanting to ruin your favorite undies during that time of the month. But would I ever want to wear disposable underwear with a maxi pad built in? Well, until this morning when I learned about UndiePads, I didn’t even know that the option existed before me.

So imagine my fascination when I read a review in Cosmo of UndiePads. As I just learned about these, I obviously haven’t tried them out, so I can only judge based on this reviewer’s experience.

Let me begin by saying that on the first read, I totally missed the fact that they are disposable. Even though she said they have a “built-in pad,” I guess in my mind I thought it was maybe like an insert or something, and then the underwear itself was some special absorbent thing that you washed (so like, a cloth pad, but it’s your whole underwear). Guys, it made sense in my mind, okay?! I mean, she described the product as “pink terrycloth-like material,” so naturally, I also just assumed it was like wearing bath towel underwear.

Anyway, while she didn’t really have complaints about their absorbency and ability to do their job, when it came time for the UndiePads disposal, she had a lot to say on the topic of “period smell.” Apparently, these products didn’t mask that unpleasant scent effectively, so much that she had to seal them up and trash them outside immediately.

Well, reading about “period smell” wasn’t how I imagined the first hour of my workday going, but here we are. This article has prompted a lively discussion on the topic here at Gurl today, with some who claim they have no clue what a “period smell” is and others who have had some traumatic experiences regarding it. It’s been a weird day so far.

While I can’t say “period smell” would have ever jumped into my mind when thinking about a product like this, now that Cosmo‘s review went ahead and brought it up, that’s now all I will ever be able to associate with this product. Sorry UndiePads’ testimonials, but the damage has been done. Plus, it’s kind of pricey! It’s like ten bucks for a pack of three. That’ll only last you a day and a half, even if you wear each for the maximum amount of time.

Also, I totally get the author’s choice to not try this product out in public. I can already imagine the disposal issues trying to take off your whole underwear in a super-tiny bathroom stall (which can only get better when experiencing miserable cramps) and trying to shove the panties in those receptacles which a) never seem to be in the stall I am in, and b) never seem to open all the way. And what if you forgot to keep a spare pair in your purse? If you have to throw out the whole underwear, I feel like that could cause some logistical problems about what to do next.

There always is a risk that your lady products slip up and your best undies get stained, but even with that risk (which come on, can be minimized by just wearing some old, boring underwear), I just don’t feel ready to commit to all that is UndiePads.

Had you heard of UndiePads? Would you ever try a product like this? Do you share my same confusion and concerns after reading the Cosmo review? Tell me in the comments.

5 Wacky Period Myths

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I’m sure most of you can relate. Ugh… aren’t period cramps the worst?! I don’t get them as much anymore (thank God), but maybe that’s because I tried out about a million ways to get rid of them. The upside of that? I can now share my tips with you guys. So, wondering how to get rid of cramps… or at least make them better? Check out these 8 tips that will make that time of the month that much easier.

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Try Pills

One of the most obvious solutions for menstrual cramps is taking some pills. A few Ibuprofen or something like Midol is probably your best best. However, I happen to know from experience that these pills do little to nothing for really severe cramps. But if your cramps are pretty mild, these should do the trick - and if they're way worse than mild? They may take the edge off. It's worth trying, especially if you need a quick fix.

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Prop Those Feet Up

Whenever I used to get terrible cramps, I would lay down on my back and prop my feet up on a few pillows. Elevating your feet can help reduce some of the pain. If you don't find that helpful, try curling yourself into the fetal position. Either way, lie down for a little bit!

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Use A Heating Pad

When you have bad period cramps, heating pads can be your best friend. Invest in a good one and I promise you won't regret it. If you don't have time to lie down and use one, then there are these great sticky heating patches (like these) that you can put on under your clothes and use them while you're doing other stuff, like going to school or work. The heat will help soothe your cramps and, bonus, warm you up on a cold day.

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Consider Birth Control Pills

For me personally, my cramps didn't entirely disappear until I started using birth control pills. Now I rarely get them when I get my period and it's awesome. If you're thinking about going on the pill mainly for this reason, let your doctor know so that he/she can prescribe the best ones.

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Do Some Mild Exercise

I know the idea of working out when you have horrible cramps sounds insane. Trust me, I almost bit my mom's head off the first time she suggested it. But actually, a little bit of exercise will help your cramps go away. If you can't deal with the idea of doing something too difficult, try just going for a walk or doing some yoga.

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Take A Bath

Cramps are a perfect excuse to take a long, hot bath. JK... not really. Like I said, heat will help you relieve your cramps - so take advantage of that and relax in a warm bath. Aaahhhh... feels better already, right?

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Stay Away From Coffee

If you're anything like me, you reach for a cup of coffee every morning no matter what else is happening. Um, maybe don't do that when you have cramps. Caffeine will actually make them a lot worse. Stick to decaf coffee or just some herbal tea.

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Head To The Doctor

If you're reading this and thinking, "I've tried all these things, and NONE OF THEM WORK," you should probably go to a doctor. Seriously severe cramps could be a sign of a bigger problem... or maybe you just need some prescription strength medication. When my doctor prescribed Naproxen to me, it changed my life. Seriously.

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Do you get really bad menstrual cramps? Did you find these tips helpful? What’s your advice for getting rid of cramps? Tell us in the comments.

5 Crazy Period Myths

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UNTIL NOW! You’ve got to check out this totally funny and awesome video (it begins with the message, “a Love Your Vagina production”) that I saw on Jezebel yesterday. Let me just say that you’re in for a real treat of witty lyrics AND interesting information! Check it out:

As you may have gathered from the lyrics, the Mooncup is a brand of menstrual cup. Wondering how those work? Basically, you insert the flexible cup into your vagina and it collects blood during your period (versus absorbing it like a tampon would). You then empty, wash and reuse it – so just like the rap suggests, it is a more eco-friendly option.

I didn’t know what a menstrual cup was until college, and now the only times I really see ads for them are in my collection of feminist magazines. I’m not sure if this was made just for the Internet or if it aired on UK TV, but I know that I have never felt the need to rewatch an ad for any kind of lady product like I did with this video.

Everyone deserves to choose what sort of menstrual product makes the most sense for their life and needs, but I think we can all get behind at least making sure info about options for your period are out there – especially if those facts are presented in a video as entertaining as this one. Now that this rap is stuck in my head, I’m totally open to more amazing commercials like this for all brands of products.

Do you wish more period-related commercials were like this? Had you heard of Mooncup (or menstrual cups in general) before? Tell us in the comments!

A Delivery Service For Period Products?!

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Must be that time of the month! | Source: Shutterstock.com

The service is called Le Parcel, and for $15 every month, you get a package that you have customized for your period! To start, you select up to 30 tampons, pads and/or panty liners from some big-name brands, like Playtex, Kotex, Tampax and Always.

And now for the best part (in my opinion at least)! Not only do you get the necessary stuff mailed to you each month, but there is also chocolate (which I always want to eat at all times every month) and a gift! As Le Parcel puts it on their website, “Nature’s gift stinks so we give you a better one.” I like how they think!

If you’re curious about the whole “Uhhh, what if it doesn’t get here in time?” situation (a very valid concern in my book), well Le Parcel addresses shipping right on their site. You actually select what date you’ll be needing your products by, and it should get there by that day or earlier.

Just in case you forgot your period was approaching, now when you receive your package in the mail, you’ll know! I guess as is the case with all mail, there is always the chance that something could happen to it and leave you stranded, but it seems like the Le Parcel people have tried to plan out a system where that shouldn’t happen.

Le Parcel’s website also highlights this particular benefit: “No more awkward stares at the checkout stand.” I know that can definitely be a point of concern for some girls, and I’ve done the try-not-to-make-eye-contact-with-the-cashier thing on a number of occasions. Buying these things is totally not something to be embarrassed about, but that doesn’t always mean that all of us don’t feel a little uncomfortable at the time of purchase.

Now, while I’m not sure that buying my own products inconveniences me enough that I’d personally sign up for Le Parcel, I still think it sounds like a pretty neat idea that could be particularly useful in a number of situations. I think it’d be awesome for a freshman in college with no car access and a campus convenience store that is not well-stocked, or if you live a little out of town from the nearest store and are sick of making specific mini-road trips once a month. It could be Le Parcel to the rescue!

Overall, it seems like a cool and creative way to make the monthly event that many women dread a little more fun and exciting. Plus, who doesn’t love getting mail?!

Do you find it embarrassing to have to buy your tampons, pads and/or panty liners at the store? Would you ever use a subscription service like Le Parcel? Tell us in the comments!

The Funniest Lies You Tell When You’re On Your Period

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Migraines are the worst! | Source: Shutterstock

Migraines are the ninja of all headaches. They usually show up without warning and totally knock you out of commission. Some people who get migraines throw up because the pain is so bad, some people have to be in the dark because being in a light room makes the pain worse. Migraines are awful, so if a friend says she can’t hang out because she’s got a migraine, go easy on her. I’m sure she’d rather get crazy with you than curl up in the dark next to her barf bag.

Nobody knows for sure what causes migraines or how to prevent them for good, but there are a lot of known links between your period and migraines. Yup. Not only can your period bring you stained jeans, bloating, acne, and debilitating cramps–it can also bring on migraines! (If boys only knew what they were missing out on, amirite?)

Here’s the deal: Right before you get your period, your hormone levels shift. When the levels of estrogen–one of those hormones–dips, you might be more likely to get migraines. If you suffer from menstrual migraines, talk to your doctor. There is medication that help ease the pain of the headache, or she might want to put you on birth control to even out your hormones so you don’t get migraines as often in the first place.

Do you get migraines or know somebody who does? What do you do about them? Tell us in the comments!

Take This Survey All About Your Period

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This video is a must-watch for a few reasons, and here are the things I love (and by love I mean sort of hate but mostly love) about it. As the top commenter on the YouTube video page so accurately sums it up, “how did I get here??“:

1. The narrator’s voice is oddly soothing.

2. The fact that the woman’s body shown is totally blank, just a human-shaped blob, with no hint of breasts or a vagina, but meanwhile it’s a sex ed video, so… it doesn’t make any sense.

3. According to this video, our Fallopian tubes are not connected to our ovaries. Hm, that’s interesting.

4. I enjoy the way the narrator pronounces “maturing” like “matooring”. So old-fashioned! I love.

5. The cartoon girls sort of look like Snow White.

6. This video reminds me that there was once a time when people thought girls couldn’t shower or bathe during their periods (this video reassures girls that “not only can you bathe, you should bathe!”). OMG, just imagine if people still thought that. We’ve come so far.

7. The completely sexiest attitude towards women in this video is just something you look at and shake your head for a very long time about. After letting girls know that it’s totally fine to exercise during your period, the narrator reminds girls that “when you come to think of it, most of your daily routine is on the mild side” and then shows an image of a girl carefully dusting the couch. I mean, obvs, that’s what we do all day.

8. I also love the ridiculous advice for getting over our annoying PMS symptoms: “Once you stop feeling sorry for yourself and take those days in stride, you’ll find it’s easier to keep smiling and even-tempered.” Girls, remember, even if your cramps are so bad you feel like you’re birthing an invisible baby, keep a smile on that pretty little face of yours. You wouldn’t want to look angry, now would you?

Watch it for yourself to see this stuff in action:

In all seriousness, though, it’s pretty cool that Disney put out this video, which was honest and straightforward for that time period. Remember, this was the 1940′s… things were totally different back then than they are today. In 1946, girls weren’t walking around clutching their stomach and whining about cramps (what, like you’ve never done it?). Periods and sex education in general were not discussed as much as they are today. So it’s nice to see that a huge company like Disney was willing to talk about it and educate young girls.

But still… there is a reason I love the Internet, and the fact that it can dig up old stuff like this is one of those reasons.

What do you think of this video? Would you take this advice? Do you think it’s way too sexiest? How did you learn about your period? Tell us in the comments!

 Find out what guys really think about your period

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