DD is 9, and I guess we've always been very matter of fact about answering questions as they came up in language she can understand but still using proper names. My mum told me horror stories of getting AF and not knowing what it was, and she never wanted that for me. Likewise, DD knows what a period is and about pads/tampons as well as about how babies are made and born.

My opinion is that avoiding talking about the facts around sex and bodies is part of what gives the impression that sex is dirty, or bad rather than totally natural and nothing to be embarrassed about. Yes it's important to talk about it in age appropriate terms, but it's exceptionally important that it *is* talked about. If you're embarrassed about talking about your own body and about it's functions, kids pick up on that. As hard as it can be to overcome our own hangups surrounding sex and bodies, do we really want to perpetuate that for our own kids? Or do we want to teach them that bodies are interesting, fascinating things and nothing to be ashamed of?