I was part of this problem as a young man. I always thought that women should "suck it up" with respect to period pain and menstruation. My belief was that if they wanted to be in the office and be considered as equals they should be more like a man and not call out because they had debilitating cramps or what not. Yes, I was a shit back then.

My thoughts on this subject have evolved, thankfully and part of that change had to do with understanding the complex process of menstruation in women. It's quite complex, heavy in the need for resources, and affects every woman differently.

I think it's made me more compassionate to menstruating humans because I understand it better. I think that if more men could understand it, instead of it being hidden away like it typically is, we could see it for what it truly is. A complex, wonderful, and often painful biological process that is part of what our species evolved to.