What Is Period Poverty? 5 Ways To Promote Menstrual Equity

Navigating life when Aunt Flo is visiting can be a pain in the you know what. It causes a shift in our day-to-day life, from pain management to the burden of purchasing sanitary napkins, tampons, special undergarments and pain management products for cramps and the like. For some, a cycle’s flow can even last more than a week, causing a major disruption to not just the quality of life but also our wallets. In fact, a 2024 report from the Drexel University College of Medicine shared that the average woman spends about $20 on feminine hygiene products per cycle, adding up to about $18,000 over her lifetime. According to the Period Education Project, Black women and girls face disproportionate rates of period poverty, with 23% of Black respondents in a 2021 survey reporting difficulty affording menstrual products.

For 1 out of 3 women and girls, being on their period means missing work, school and outings due to lack of period supplies. This staggering statistic has probably worsened due to the current global economy. This year, May 11-17 is officially Period Poverty Awareness Week. This specially dedicated time was created to draw attention to the issue of period poverty and the negative impact it has on people who menstruate. Chances are we all know someone who has unfortunately experienced period poverty—a neighbor, a co-worker, a cousin or a friend. No student should have to skip school, no adult should have to miss work, and no one of any age should be forced to skip a housewarming, graduation or birthday party because they are unable to afford maxi pads or tampons. And yet, this is exactly what happens regularly to many of us.

Here are 5 trusted resources that in some way are decreasing period poverty and ensuring that more of us can thrive!

CHARIS CHAMBERS, M.D. AKA “THE PERIOD DOCTOR”
Dr. Chambers is a board-certified OB-GYN and specialist in pediatri and adolescent gynecology who focuses on menstrual equity, health literacy and reproductive justice for Black women and girls. She penned a revolutionary book out later this month called, The Period and Puberty Parenting Revolution: It’s Time to Own the Conversation, Empower Your Child, and Rewrite the Rules of Parenting Kids Through Puberty. The wife and mom spreads awareness on topics that most of us avoid through the nuanced lens of a Black woman medical doctor.

THE HYGIENE HOOKUP
Founded in 2020 by then college student Kai Inman, The Hygiene Hookup was initially founded to provide menstruation resources to the Baltimore community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six years later, the go-getter is still addressing the community’s needs and is helping to reshape societal perceptions of menstruation.

THE ALLIANCE FOR PERIOD SUPPLIES
The Alliance for Period Supplies encourages all of us to become advocates to help end period poverty. You can join the movement by simply starting an earnest conversation about period poverty, forwarding an informative social media post, hosting a product drive through your church, sorority or job or donating to a local program or initiative that empowers women.

BLACK WOMEN’S HEALTH IMPERATIVE
Positive Period is the Black Women’s Health Imperative campaign to end menstrual stigma and shame, expand access to products and education, advocate for policy change and create space for honest, empowering conversations. They have dignity-centered programming at HBCUs, health conferences, conventions and community events.

THE FLOW INITIATIVE
The Flow Initiative is a national organization committed to eradicating period poverty and achieving menstrual equity for everyone. Based in Jersey City, NJ the organization advocates for menstrual health legislation, facilitates educational workshops and distributes free menstrual health products to those in need. The initiative has passed an impressive seven menstrual health bills, educated 40,000 students on menstruation and period poverty and distributed 1.8 million menstrual health products worldwide.

Together, we can increase menstrual equity.