【Watch Sex Paradise Online】

It's 2018 and Aly Raisman,Watch Sex Paradise Online Olympic gold-medalist and role model to women looking for courage to speak out against sexual assault, thinks it's high time society stops stigmatizing periods.

The gymnast and author of her recently released memoir, Fierce,teamed up with Playtex Sport to launch tampon vending machines that accept selfies and advice instead of money. Raisman hopes the effort will empower female athletes and help normalize period talk, an issue that's received increased attention among activists in recent years.

Mashable caught up with Raisman at Chelsea Piers in New York City on Thursday to chat about everything from the period shame she felt as a young girl to her role in powerful women's movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp.

SEE ALSO: Gymnast Aly Raisman reveals she was also sexually abused by Olympic doctor

Over the past few months the world has watched Raisman become a champion at vocalizing her own truths, speaking up even in instances when it's extremely uncomfortable.

"I think that what's going on right now in the world is women are speaking up. Young girls are speaking up and people are finally listening. Boys are speaking up, men are speaking up about their stories of abuse as well," she said.

"We all have to realize that the more we talk about these uncomfortable issues the more we can help each other, and the more that you keep inside the more you might feel insecure."

Finding her voice and showing support

In November 2017, Raisman joined the #MeToo movement, revealing she was one of hundreds of women and girls who have been sexually harassed and abused by former USA Gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar.

Nassar, who is currently facing 60 years in prison for child pornography crimes, also awaits sentencing for sexual abuse charges, to which he has already pleaded guilty.

Since sharing her experiences, Raisman has been an active voice in the movement, encouraging others to speak out and publicly supporting women who have, including former teammates McKayla Maroney, Gabby Douglas, and Simone Biles. She's also called out USA Gymnastics on several occasions, telling ESPN'sOutside the Linesthat the organization had previously told her to keep quiet about her abuse.

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The gymnast has also shown her support for the #TimesUp movement, which aims to end sexual misconduct in Hollywood and other industries, and she's now using her voice to talk about periods, too.

For Raisman, period stigma is personal

Raisman feels that women-driven movements fighting to end sexual misconduct relate to the fight to combat period stigma. Both, she noted, are very uncomfortable issues to discuss.

Many high-profile institutionsand public places still don't supply free feminine care products in restrooms — or offer them at all.

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"When I was younger I was embarrassed to talk about my period"

As a result, the stealth maneuver of sliding pads or tampons into sleeves, tucking them in boots, waistbands, or really anywhere out of sight before going to the bathroom is a time-honored tradition that many girls and women, including Raisman, have felt the need to practice as periods are considered taboo.

"When I was younger I was embarrassed to talk about my period, especially when I was in class," she said. She described how she went to great lengths to hide tampons up her sleeve because she felt embarrassed by the way boys in her class would react to learning a girl was on her period.

These vending machines challenge that stigma head-on, which is why Raisman thinks they're key to normalizing this conversation.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"What’s really cool with the vending machines is that they're in public," Raisman said, acknowledging that while change won't happen overnight, she hopes one day every girl can get to a point where she feels comfortable enough to confidently stand at public tampon vending machines.

"There shouldn't be anything embarrassing or nerve-wracking about showing people you have your period," she said. She added that we also need to teach boys and men to more supportive.

As an athlete, Raisman doesn't want to let periods slow her down and hopes the machines will help other female athletes to feel a sense of comfort.

"We all have it, so we might as well stick together," she said.

Share some tips, get some tampons

The three smart-vending machines, currently located in New York, Connecticut, and Texas, are easily activated when users share advice on Instagram.

After locating a machine simply follow Playtex Sport on Instagram, take a selfie, and share the photo, along with your best sports advice, to the platform using the hashtag #PlayOn.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Once you've shared your inspirational Instagram, type your handle on the vending machine's screen and you'll receive a free 18-count box of Playtex Sport Compact Tampons that includes advice straight from Raisman herself.

To try one out for yourself, you can head over to a UCONN women's basketball home game on Jan. 27, University of Texas women’s basketball home games on Feb. 10 or Feb. 19, or New York's Chelsea Piers until Feb. 18.

And if you're not near a machine, you can still share a selfie on Instagram with the hashtag to be entered for a chance to win some Playtex Sport surprises.

Gold medal-worthy advice

As of right now, the smart-vendingmachines are only being placed in sporting venues that accommodate high-performing female athletes, but if you're still hoping to get some Aly-approved advice, Raisman's got you covered.

"My best advice would just be to trust yourself to do what makes you happy, and if something doesn't feel right, to tell someone you trust and get the answers. If you’re confused about something, don't stop until you get the right answers and if that one person isn’t listening to you go to someone else," she said.

"I think for far too long we have not listened to people and we have to start listening. We have to start caring for each other and make sure everyone feels safe."

If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visitingonline.rainn.org.

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