Aunt Flo, the painters and decorators, strawberry week.
These are all roundabout and "less embarrassing" terms for something experienced by about half the population.
Periods have long been spoken about in hushed tones, with teenage girls going to great lengths to conceal sanitary products on their way to the toilets.
For some women and girls, getting their period isn't just an inconvenience, it can stop them from attending school or taking part in sport.
Period poverty isn't confined to lesser developed countries – it's also felt here in Australia, with the cost of pads and tampons making them an unaffordable "luxury" item.
But it's hoped an initiative being rolled out in state schools across Queensland will remove that barrier and reduce stigma.
The Queensland government is spending $13.3 million on vending machines that will provide period products for free in state schools; the funding will also towards period education for students.
A 'luxury' item
Yumi Stynes, co-author of the book Welcome to Your Period, has long advocated for destigmatising issues facing women.
She said the vending-machine announcement almost brought her to tears.
"When you hear the term period poverty, we think of women who literally have to stay at home on their bleeding days because they have no way to manage their period," Ms Stynes said.
"Here in Australia it affects people as well and to not have scarcity around period products is profound, it gives access to lots of kids, [so they can] keep attending school.
Ms Stynes said the availability of free products at school would help young girls who were still learning about their bodies and how to manage periods.
"I was that 13-year-old kid who's not used to having a period and often you show up to school with not a single period item," she said.
"So for schools to supply those things, I swear on my life that will get so many kids out of a bind.
'Let's not sugarcoat it'
As part of research for this article, the ABC asked young teens what they thought about the announcement and if it would make a difference to their lives.
Despite trying several different groups, methods and tactics, the result was the same: "no way, that's too embarrassing" [to answer].
But there were also questions about why it's limited to state schools.
Period shame is something women's advocate Fallon Drewett hopes will become a thing of the past.
"We talk about conversations around gender equality and we need men and young boys to understand it [menstruation] is a natural part of a woman's life," she said.
"To be comfortable enough to be that support person for your daughter or wife or partner and take a trip to the shops to grab the products they need.
Ms Drewett said along with shame came fear, which also needed to be addressed.
"It's quite traumatic when you get your first period, let's not sugarcoat it, it's full on.
Yumi Stynes said she did feel that attitudes were changing … slowly.
"The idea that you have to conceal the fact you even get a period, let alone … your period at that particular moment in time, is lessening," she said.
Intel for the boys
Both Yumi Stynes and Fallon Drewett said the vending machines could be a catalyst to involve dads and male role models in the conversation about periods.
"It's definitely a thing where say a nine-year-old boy will learn about periods and try to shame people around him, and say, 'Ew, you bleed, that's disgusting,'" Ms Stynes said.
"It starts in the home. If you've got a son, it's all about making them aware that this is a natural part of a woman's life," Ms Drewett said.
"We should be celebrating it a little bit more."
Yumi Stynes said her research and work had shown dads were open to conversations about menstruation, but sometimes needed help.
"If you're a single dad, maybe set a reminder to make sure you've got enough period products in the the bathroom," she said.
"Or maybe your child could send you texts to say, 'Dad, this is the favourite product I'm using at the moment'."
With access to period products now vastly improved, Ms Stynes said it was time to make it a national conversation.
"Wouldn't it be amazing if this was national, and Australia was a leader in this field of taking women's health seriously?" she said.
"The more access everybody has, the better it will be for so many generations of people."
Editor's note 13/06/2022: This story has been amended to remove a reference to the GST on sanitary products. The GST was removed from feminine hygiene products in 2019.
