Every month, 1.8 billion people menstruate—meaning that on any given day, 800 million women and girls are experiencing their periods. But have you ever considered how many of them suffer from mental health challenges as a result? Period poverty—the lack of access to menstrual products, hygienic facilities, and education—is an issue that is too often ignored, despite its devastating consequences on mental and physical well-being.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, essential hygiene products such as toilet paper and soap became scarce—so did menstrual products. A study published in Frontiers found that women without access to proper sanitary napkins were forced to resort to “rags, dry leaves, ashes, linings, cotton, and mud”, exposing them to serious infections and diseases. In densely populated urban areas where community toilets were the only available sanitation facilities, many of these were either shut down or severely restricted, leaving countless women with no safe space to manage their periods.
Period poverty extends beyond just products—it is also about access to education and facilities. During the pandemic, while millions of students transitioned to online learning, many lost access to crucial menstrual and sex education typically provided in schools. For students with limited internet access or technology, these lessons disappeared entirely. And in many households, discussions about menstruation are stigmatized or outright forbidden due to deep-rooted cultural norms, leaving young people without guidance during a critical time in their development.
Even in high-income countries, period poverty and its effects are deeply felt. A study conducted in Barcelona surveyed 647 women aged 15-34 and found that 15.3% had experienced period poverty—a number that rose to 21.4% for those financially dependent on family. The impact on mental health is stark: while 45.1% of surveyed women reported experiencing poor mental health, this number skyrocketed to 62.6% among those affected by period poverty. The inability to manage menstrual hygiene properly leads to feelings of shame, isolation, and distress, which—especially among younger individuals—can contribute to the alarming rates of mental health struggles and even suicide in this generation.
Despite common misconceptions, period poverty is not just an issue in low-income countries—it exists everywhere. It affects students in schools, workers in offices, and countless individuals who are forced to suffer in silence.
What Can You Do?
Period poverty isn’t just an abstract issue—it affects real lives, real futures, and even your community. During the pandemic, toilet paper was treated as an essential necessity, while period products were dismissed as a luxury—despite being an unavoidable part of life for 800 million people every day.To combat this, we must talk. Talk about periods. Talk about what it means to feel vulnerable and belittled without access to basic hygiene. Talk about the stigma that continues to surround menstruation. By breaking the silence, we take the first step toward real change—ensuring that no one has to suffer because of a natural biological process.
Sources:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womens-health/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1128169/full