If it’s “that time of the month” again, a woman’s boyfriend, husband or male friend is advised to run for cover for the duration of Aunt Flo’s visit. Though many women may not experience the physical and emotional stress commonly associated with PMS and menstruation, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates that 85 percent of women experience, at minimum, one PMS symptom.

Whether or not a woman is PMSing, the social association is strong enough that when a woman is acting emotionally, it is often excused with a statement such as, “Oh, well she must be PMSing.”

Studies on the causes of some PMS symptoms have been inconclusive. A study reported by Huffington Post Canada shows no proof that female mood swings are a result of the monthly cycle. 

Whether or not these findings are true, the abdominal cramps, migraines, back pain and knowledge they won’t be gettin’ any for a week are more than enough to make a woman grumpy. Regardless of the cause, men are right to make allowances for their special ladies when she’s feeling off, physically or emotionally.

What that means, however, is women must be equally willing to pander to the moods and feelings of their men.

Hormones or not, men aren’t the iron statues that some pretend to be. A bad day at work, a lost bet on a game or even running out of milk can put a person in a bad mood.

Societal expectations make us think men are tireless. However, any man can and will be beaten down over time if he doesn’t get needed emotional support. In fact, a new study done earlier this year shows that approximately 30 percent of men in the U.S. experience depression — the same as women under the same criteria.

Some men even report feeling more emotionally unstable or depressed when the women in their life are “on the rag.” There might not be science that supports the cause of this, and it’s more than likely just human sympathy. If your girlfriend’s sad, you’ll probably be sad, too.

Sure, men might not be able to write off their emotions as “PMS” but that doesn’t make those feelings unimportant. In fact, they might be even more significant. If it isn’t hormones or menstrual cramps that are making a man moody, then it is probably a real problem. Creating a home environment, and a society, that’s more accepting of emotional weakness in men, is the first step to solving that problem.

We need to hold men and women to the same emotional expectations. Instead of dismissing men’s emotions as weakness, women should practice what they preach and listen.

As of yet, it’s unproven men have an emotional or hormonal equivalent to the menstrual cycle, but all people, of every sex and gender, get upset. The point is that getting through periods of emotional distress, regardless of cause, is a team effort.

Boyfriend, fiance, best friend or husband, it doesn’t matter. We have a duty to be kind and compassionate to the people that we care about. If you and your man (or woman) are “synching up” and experiencing PMS together, then you should get through it together. You should be there for each other, no matter what time of the month it is.

So, ladies, be willing to give back rubs or pick up a pint of Ben & Jerry’s on the way home. Be willing to watch his favorite movies back-to-back. Because sometimes, men need that too.