By Ludovica Incalza
For millions of students around the world, a lack of access to menstrual products isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a barrier to education. Period poverty, the inability to afford or access menstrual products, silently keeps countless young people out of classrooms every month. Behind attendance sheets and test scores are students forced to choose between showing up unprepared or staying home in silence.
According to a 2023 study, nearly 1 in 4 students in the United States have struggled to afford period products. The result is often missed school days, lost learning time, and mounting shame. In many schools, menstrual supplies are still treated as optional rather than essential, even though they are just as necessary as toilet paper or soap. The absence of basic menstrual care can chip away at a student’s confidence and sense of belonging.
The consequences go beyond academics. Students who regularly miss class because of their period report feeling disconnected from peers and anxious about falling behind. This cycle of absenteeism disproportionately affects those already facing economic hardship, deepening existing inequalities. For many, it’s not just about missing lessons, it’s about missing opportunities for growth, leadership, and empowerment.
Some schools and states are beginning to address this issue. Legislation in several U.S. states now requires free menstrual products in public school bathrooms, a crucial step toward menstrual equity. When products are accessible, attendance rises, stigma decreases, and students regain the dignity they deserve. Still, thousands of schools nationwide have yet to implement similar measures.
Ending period poverty requires both policy change and community action. Nonprofits like Liv & Cur are leading this movement by providing menstrual products, advocating for education reform, and starting conversations that break the stigma. Every donation, every shared story, and every school policy shift brings us closer to a world where no student has to miss class because of a natural biological cycle.
Menstruation should never be a reason to fall behind. Education is a right and that means ensuring every student has the resources they need to be present, prepared, and empowered.