Okay, let’s get real for a second. Last month, I accidentally left my tampons at home during a weekend trip. No big deal, right? I popped into a gas station bathroom, only to find the vending machine empty. Cue panic. But here’s the kicker: This isn’t just a minor inconvenience for millions. Imagine living this reality every single month—scrambling for socks, toilet paper, or worse, skipping school or work because you can’t afford a $7 box of pads. That’s period poverty, and it’s way bigger than an awkward checkout line moment.
Let’s start with the ick factor. Why does society treat menstruation like a dirty secret? 🤷♀️ We’ll post avocado toast pics but shy away from saying “vagina” in public? Newsflash: 800 million people menstruate right now. Yet, 1 in 4 American teens miss class due to lack of products (Hello, Always Confidence & Puberty Survey!), and in Kenya, 65% of rural women can’t afford pads (UNICEF). This isn’t just about “feminine hygiene”—it’s about dignity, education, and economic survival.
But here’s where it gets spicy: Period poverty isn’t just a “poor country problem.” I volunteered at a London food bank last year, and guess what flew off the shelves fastest? Tampons. Not soup, not rice—tampons. In the U.S., 35 states still tax period products as “luxury items” (looking at you, “tampon tax” 👀), while Viagra gets a tax-free pass. Make it make sense!
Now, let’s talk solutions beyond just tossing free pads at the problem (though that’s important!). I interviewed a badass OB/GYN who dropped this truth bomb: “We’re putting Band-Aids on bullet wounds if we ignore systemic causes.” True story. For example, Scotland became the first country to make period products free nationwide in 2022—and they trained teachers to normalize period talks in schools. Result? Attendance rates up, stigma down. 🚀
But wait—what can we do? Plenty.
1️⃣ Demand policy change: Sign petitions to axe the tampon tax (shoutout to @PeriodEquity’s TaxFreePeriod campaign!).
2️⃣ Get creative with donations: Period product drives are great, but what about reusable options? I partnered with a local org to distribute menstrual cups—they last 10 years and reduce waste!
3️⃣ Talk about it: Host a “Period Party” (yes, with wine and cycle-tracking apps!) to educate friends. Vulnerability sparks change.
Here’s my hot take: Solving period poverty requires intersectional thinking. Climate warriors, listen up! Conventional pads take 500+ years to decompose (PlanetCare). Opting for organic cotton or period underwear? You’re fighting poverty and plastic pollution. 💥
Final thought: Next time you see someone discreetly palming a tampon like it’s contraband, call it out. Normalize asking, “Need a pad?” like you’d offer a tissue. Because until menstruation stops being whispered about, the cycle (pun intended) continues. Let’s turn whispers into roars. 🦁✨