My eyebrow cocked instantly at the first mention of Vinnie D'Angelo, creator of Vinnie's Tampon Cases—funky pouches for girls to hold their tampons—and author of Vinnie's Giant Roller Coaster Period Chart & Journal Sticker Book. I thought, "What?! A guy wrote a menstruation book for girls?"

Flipping through the book's colorful pages, I was introduced to Vinnie, who appears as a cartoon Mini-Me with an exaggerated uni-brow. He calls himself the "Master of Menstruating Ceremonies," waving tampons and chocolate. He leads readers through the book's quotes about periods, menstruation charts, and recipes for soothing period cramps.

Once I reached the pages featuring the vivacious Vinnie offering free foot massages to suffering menstruators, I decided that I had to meet the man behind the eyebrow. So, I went to his office in New York City to interview him.

Vinnie D'Angelo came to the door, wearing a T-shirt with Vinnie's Tampon Cases emblazoned across the chest, and welcomed me into his world of vibrant self-caricatures that proclaim, "Know Your Flow!" Introducing himself as "Vinnie the Tampon Case Distributor," the 33-year-old invited me to listen to the tale of an ultra-feminist guy who just wanted to make sure his gal pals had a safe storage place for their period paraphernalia. 

Sex, Etc.: What made you want to become Vinnie the Tampon Case Distributor?

Vinnie D'Angelo:  The inspiration came from two moments, both stemming from a need to help my girlfriends.  I remember the exact incident when I realized that men and women are divided by our lack of understanding of each other and willingness to learn. 

I had walked in on my female friends amidst a complaint session, and before I was able to move another step, my gal pals silenced their conversation and began giggling.  The topic at hand was obvious —menstruation. I felt excluded from a part of their lives because of their expectations of the stereotypical negative male response, not wanting to talk of tampon taboos. 

Initially, like most young men, I was ignorant of anything having to do with menstruation. I grew up with all brothers, no sisters.  However, it was that moment, so many years ago, when I finally said "Enough!" and shed that last ounce of masculine embarrassment. 

My girlfriends and I had a long talk about the basics of menstruation—what happens biologically, the feelings associated with having a period…a lot of things I never knew.

Another day, a female friend and I were walking around New York City, when she divulged to me that she doesn't always feel safe in her own streets, even during daytime.  She told me about the constant catcalls and lewd remarks she received from male passers when she walked alone.

I seriously began to worry about her safety and the security of all women, thinking that if some men couldn't even control themselves during the day, nighttime was an entirely more frightening issue.  It drew me closer to an understanding of solidarity between myself and the opposite sex—out of respect for their day-to-day hardships. 

SE:   What do you think causes male reluctance to learn about menstruation?

VD:  Basically—due to the sexist attitudes that sadly still prevail in our society—guys have been excused from knowing even the most basic information about menstruation, one of the most pronounced aspects of a female's life. The media reinforce the stereotypical male response to menstruation—running in the other direction. And guys rarely have an opportunity to develop a more mature reaction.

Guys are also encouraged by the tampon industry—and, by extension, their girlfriends and sisters—to pretend that they don't notice when a girl has her period. Tampon companies have created and perpetuated the concept that women should be embarrassed by their period and hide it, so "no one will ever know." Because of this very successful advertising campaign, females try their best to pretend that the monthly cycle isn't wreaking havoc on their body and moods. And males do their best to play their part and pretend they don't "notice."

SE:   What would help banish the stigma about menstruation, especially in the eyes of males?

VD:   Education has the uncanny knack to dispel myths and reverse bad habits. Boys need to get the scoop, and their gal pals need to pass along the correct information. Obviously, getting boys the essential information may not be an easy task, but it's far from impossible, and it's slowly happening. Girls need support during their periods, not boys pretending menstruation doesn't exist.

SE:   Do you feel you've accomplished what you set out to do?

VD:  As for social and psychological changes in the way men and women view menstruation, I'm only tipping the iceberg. I'd like my work to open up the lines of communication and lessen the gender gap, by taking away the negative connotation of periods.  No one, including myself, has period envy, but there is no need to comply with societal pressures dictating that it is shameful and embarrassing, and people should remain silent.

SE:   Any final messages to teen guys and girls about menstrual cycles?

VD:   Know the Flow!

 

Girls on the Flow

We asked some female Sex, Etc. readers to share their thoughts about menstruation. Want to share yours? Leave a comment below!

"I had my first period when I was 12 years old. I was mostly nervous. My mother gets very antsy when it comes to talking about things like periods and sex, so she'd never really told me much about it.

On the day I got my period, I really freaked. I thought something was wrong with me. I was too scared to tell my mother, so I purposely left my underwear in the bathroom where she'd see it. I knew she'd ask me about the blood on there.

When I told her that I just took my underwear off and saw the little spots of blood, her eyes watered. She got me a pad (one of the thinner ones for light days) and explained the whole thing to me.

Girls shouldn't be ashamed of their period. Don't be afraid to talk about it with one of your female friends. Ask them what they go through when they get their period. It can help you learn what to expect, although a lot of girls have different symptoms. And most importantly, it can help you not feel so alone."
—Terrisa Lindo, 17, Newark, NJ

"My friends and I like to call our periods our 'happy cars,' as a cover-up if we're talking about them in public. I really hate my monthly...it's totally not fun. Cramps, bloating, moodiness—it's terrible."
—Samantha, 15, Spencer, NY

"Having your period means becoming more mature and thinking of things on a newer level in life. It can be a pain, with the cramps, bleeding, pads, tampons, etc. But it's what enables women to have babies—the miracle of life."
—Andrea L., 13, Nazareth, PA

"Though it's a natural part of every girl's life, it still remains that scary part of females that guys try to avoid talking about sometimes. It seems that the more people know about menstruation, the more 'taboo' it becomes, especially to guys.

No girl should feel ashamed or angry at the fact that she's becoming a 'woman.' So, the fact that she has her period is neither a celebration nor a curse. It's simply a blessing.

When I first learned about menstruation, it was kind of scary, because I couldn't picture myself bleeding like that and not being able to do anything about it. However, once I got my period, I felt much better. I realized that it was part of my femininity and nothing to be scared of.

It would be nice for girls to realize that being female is the most beautiful thing. And even if it has repercussions sometimes (like our periods and giving birth), we should still be thankful for the pain that accompanies our beauty."
—Erika Vela, 17, Newark, NJ

Contributor Ashley Smith, 15, of Nazareth, PA, contributed to this story.