Written by Brigette Ann Hobbs
Although menstruation is a natural part of life, many women experience stigma surrounding their periods and struggle to access essential menstrual products. This issue, known as period poverty, impacts millions of women, including 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 4 teens in the United States, yet it continues to receive far less attention than it deserves.
The effects of period poverty is oftentimes minimized by news and media outlets. Many schools and workplaces lack properly sanitized restrooms and facilities, causing some individuals to extend the use of menstrual products, such as pads and tampons, beyond safe limits. This can lead to serious health issues, including urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis. A recent study found that about half of women who experience period poverty also experience at least one psychological symptom in association with it. Illustrating its impact on both physical and mental health.
Moreover, many women are uneducated about their periods because of the large amount of stigma surrounding it. Many societies consider periods to be “disgusting” and “unclean”, therefore denying women the right to critical menstrual health education and resources. In fact, the review “Period Poverty: A Neglected Public Health Issue” by Haziz Jaafar, Suraya Yasmin Ismail, and Amirah Azzeri states that about 58% of women feel ashamed of their period, while 51% of men believe it is improper to discuss periods in occupational settings. This stigma often prevents women from learning about proper period care and discourages them from seeking medical help for menstrual concerns.
Additionally, period product prices have nearly doubled in price since 2020 and collect roughly $95 million in taxes on average every year across 18 states that continue the “tampon tax”. Many women across the world are told that period products are nonessential, despite the many health problems that can arise without them. As a result, women are often forced to prioritize spending on other basic necessities, such as food, housing, and transportation, making menstrual products unaffordable.
Period poverty is a global problem that impacts millions of women both physically and mentally. There are many ways you can support women experiencing period poverty, including donating, advocating, or volunteering with organizations dedicated to addressing this issue. Another way to contribute to the cause is by purchasing our apparel here at Carrying For Care, where every purchase helps fund organizations whose goal is to improve women's health and wellness. Working together as a community, we can begin to break barriers, expand accessibility, and raise awareness for women struggling with period poverty.
Works Cited
Jaafar H, Ismail SY, Azzeri A. Period Poverty: A Neglected Public Health Issue. Korean J Fam Med. 2023 Jul;44(4):183-188. doi: 10.4082/kjfm.22.0206. Epub 2023 May 16. PMID: 37189262; PMCID: PMC10372806.
Alliance for Period Supplies. (2026, March 26). Take Action - Alliance for Period Supplies. Alliance for Period Supplies - It’s That Time. *. https://allianceforperiodsupplies.org/take-action/
Period Law. (2025, June 24). Tampon tax Revenue - Period Law. Period Law -. https://www.periodlaw.org/state-scorecard/
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