In the midst of all of the health disparities in the United States, one seems to always fly under the radar. A stigma already exists surrounding periods, but talking about period poverty only heightens this response. Period poverty is a common issue, both worldwide and in the United States, but is so often overlooked. If… Read More » Author information Jenna Whittington Jenna Whittington is an MPH candidate in Epidemiology at UTHealth Houston. She recently completed her practicum at the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, where she supported research on health equity and health disparities. She is passionate about advancing public health communication and addressing health inequities. | The post The Truth About Period Poverty appeared first on The Medical Care Blog.
In the midst of all of the health disparities in the United States, one seems to always fly under the radar. A stigma already exists surrounding periods, but talking about period poverty only heightens this response. Period poverty is a common issue, both worldwide and in the United States, but is so often overlooked. If left in its current state, period poverty will continue to deepen health and social inequalities.
Without knowing much about the topic, period poverty can seem more like an inconvenience than a serious problem, but it is so much more than being a little low on tampons sometimes. Period poverty is the lack of access to period products, education about menstruation, or clean areas to use period products. Experiencing one or any combination of these factors means a person is experiencing period poverty.
It is so much more common and damaging than most people realize. I didn’t know much about period poverty myself until this summer, when I had the opportunity to work on a research project focused on the issue. The experience really opened my eyes to how deep and widespread this issue is.
Consequences of Period Poverty
Living with period poverty can have serious and significant impacts on a person’s overall health and well-being. Some of the major consequences of period poverty include:
- Emotional stress or anxiety from stigma or shame, which can lead to depression
- Missed days of school or work, leading to loss of education or income
- Health risks and possible infections from using products for too long
For many, these consequences can act like a vicious cycle. Not having access to period products or using them for too long can cause health risks or a need to stay home to avoid feeling shame around others. Staying home can lead to a loss of opportunity and income. The loss of income can create more anxiety and depression around the situation, and less money to purchase period products. And the lack of products starts this all over again.
These factors play off each other, and for many, they can be almost impossible to avoid. For example, college students who struggle to afford period products have reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, ultimately leading them to miss school and have poorer performance than their classmates. But this experience is not limited only to college students.
Why Period Poverty Deserves More Attention
Although it isn’t talked about often, data shows that this is a widespread issue in the United States. Period poverty unfairly impacts many marginalized groups. A study in 2019 found that about two-thirds of low-income women in the United States could not afford period products in the previous year. This statistic means so much more when you think about the extra costs those who menstruate have to face. Unlike their counterparts, low-income individuals with periods must find the extra money to afford period products. Discussions of poverty often don’t consider this added burden. This leaves them with a larger disparity and even more inequalities.
Unhoused individuals also commonly face similar issues to those who are low-income. However, in addition to the inability to access products, they do not have safe and clean spaces to manage their period. Even when they receive products, they often struggle with finding safe and private spaces to use them, and often cause feelings of shame.
Further, studies show that Hispanic populations have higher difficulties accessing period products compared to white populations. Language barriers, cultural stigmas, and socioeconomic barriers are all potential factors contributing to this inequality. Period poverty does not impact everyone equally and often adds additional challenges for marginalized communities.
So now that we know this information, what is being done about this?
Government Policies Relating to Period Poverty
While I wish I could say that policymakers are tackling this issue, for most areas, this is not true. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, Washington, D.C., and twenty states have passed laws to require schools to provide free period products. However, not all states provide funding for this. And it is not uniform across the country, leaving many students without products. But most importantly, there are not many policies that aim to fix the cause of these problems. The policies that do exist try to increase product distribution. They do not address the issues as to why people cannot afford products. And beyond that, it does not address the lack of education about periods. These policy gaps continue to leave so many at risk.
We Can Do Better
Period poverty is a critical issue, rooted in social and economic inequality. Policies should tackle it with this cause in mind. Yes, we should continue to increase access to period products. We also need to think about expanding education and addressing social and economic inequality. I know this is easier said than done, but it is important to recognize the issue. It is important to see what steps we can take to bring us closer to minimizing period poverty and its harmful effects. Whether donating products, talking to policymakers, or openly talking about periods to others, we all can play a role.
Author information
Jenna Whittington
Jenna Whittington is an MPH candidate in Epidemiology at UTHealth Houston. She recently completed her practicum at the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, where she supported research on health equity and health disparities. She is passionate about advancing public health communication and addressing health inequities.
The post The Truth About Period Poverty appeared first on The Medical Care Blog.
