When I was in year Twelve, I remember the teacher in the classroom next door talking about development issues, and she asked a boy if he remembered his first wet dream and if he felt more comfortable talking to his mother or his father about it. I had no idea what a wet dream was until I was in Year Ten and I remember I'd had my first wet dream the year before. My pyjama shorts felt sticky and I thought I'd wet my pants. I felt uncomfortable talking to anybody about it.

A wet dream can be uncomfortable for a boy to talk about to his parents, especially if they are conservative. Menstruation, however, is something that women and young girls have to deal with, and it requires understanding. A wet dream is not painful, while menstruating can be. And, a wet dream does not occur whilst one is awake, while menstruating does.