Fighting Period Poverty, Promoting Menstruation Equity by Alyssa Astengo

Imagine having to decide every month whether you should spend your last few dollars on food or menstrual products. For millions of people worldwide, this is a decision they will face several times a year. This lack of proper access to menstrual products, education, and sanitation facilities for people who menstruate is known as period poverty (Jaafar et al., 2023).  

According to Women’s Health, two in five people who experience periods struggled to afford period products at some point (2024). Periods cost an average of 20 dollars a month, and this number continues to rise as the prices of goods increase. That is about 240 dollars a year spent on menstrual products alone, which can make it extremely difficult for those with financial hardships to afford the menstrual care they need.

Additionally, programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) do not include coverage for menstrual products. This leaves individuals receiving help from government assistance programs with few options to access proper feminine hygiene products (Glayzer et al., 2024).  

The inability to afford or obtain period products can lead to a multitude of problems. One major concern is infections and skin irritation from unsanitary or absent period products. This can then lead individuals to avoid social engagements or even significant responsibilities like work and school.

Furthermore, the stress attached to period poverty can make people more susceptible to anxiety and depression (Glayzer et al., 2024). This issue is more than just a week of discomfort, it is something that intertwines with many important parts of a person’s life.  

Millions of people are subjected to the health effects of period poverty because of stigma and improper resources to address menstrual care. This number includes students here on our campus. Here is a quote from an anonymous Passaic County Community College student regarding how their period impacts their time at school: 

“Sanitary products are more expensive than ever and going to the store closest to the school interrupts my class time.”  

Your period can often disrupt your life responsibilities, especially if you are deprived of proper resources to get menstrual products. The quote above addresses difficulties students may face when trying to obtain period products — needing access to transportation, financial resources for products, and the ability to set time aside from school or work. Having to balance these components can be stressful for people with tight schedules and little spending money.

That is why it is important to advocate for menstruation equity. 

What is Menstruation Equity? 

Menstruation equity is the opposite of period poverty; it refers to adequate access to period products, reproductive education, and support surrounding menstruation. More specifically, it refers to equal access to these necessities with cultural appropriateness and respect.

It is important to talk openly about menstruation, menstrual products, and experiences with periods to reduce the taboo around these ideas. If periods continue to be perceived as a shameful topic, menstruation equity will be harder to acquire for those who are facing period poverty. 

Stigma Around Menstruation 

According to Hafiz Jaafar, a writer for The Korean Journal of Family Medicine, social stigma around periods endures heavily in the United States. A survey done in the U.S. concluded that 58% of women are ashamed of experiencing periods, and 51% of men believe it is inappropriate to discuss menstruation in the workplace.

Alongside this, many belief systems perpetuate negative ideas about menstruation, such as that periods are unclean, and menstruators must be isolated during their cycle (2023). These stances are harmful to the progression toward equity in menstrual health because they reflect a society that does not embrace the natural process of menstruation. 

It is because of the lack of open discussion about periods that these stigmas continue to stand and allow menstrual health to be dismissed. Periods are not something to be embarrassed about, nor should the impact they have on the physical and mental health of individuals be overlooked. By spreading awareness, knowledge, and positive conversation about periods, we can help break down misconceptions and encourage menstrual equity for all individuals.  

The Multicultural Wellness Resource Center (MWRC) Free Menstrual Products 

To tackle period poverty here at PCCC, the Wellness Center has implemented a free feminine hygiene product basket that can be found in M237. Products are often restocked with tampons and pads for students to take throughout the day for their convenience. Many students at PCCC have expressed how having the product basket has helped them.

Here is a quote from a student in response to our anonymous Menstrual Products Survey: 

“As a student, it’s reassuring to know that hygiene products are available at school, especially since you spend more time there than at home. Access to these essentials ensures you can focus on your education and maintain attendance, no matter your personal circumstances.” 

The purpose of the feminine hygiene product basket is to provide students access to products they need to feel comfortable and confident during class time, while also normalizing menstrual care on campus. Menstrual products are a necessity, not a luxury. It’s time to make a change. 

The Wellness Center’s hours of operation include Monday-Thursday from 9 am-5 pm, and Fridays from 9 am-3 pm. Please feel free to stop by M237 any time! 

For more information about what the Wellness Center offers at PCCC, visit https://pccc.edu/wellness/