What is Period Poverty?

Understanding a Hidden Crisis That Affects More People Than You Think

Did you know that many people can't afford basic period products like pads and tampons? 

At Twentyeight Health, we want everyone to understand period poverty and how it affects millions of people. And in honor of Period Poverty Awareness Week, we’re shining light on this hidden problem. 
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What Does Period Poverty Really Mean?

Period poverty happens when someone can't afford or access the products they need for their period. This includes pads, tampons, and clean bathrooms to change these products.

The Alliance for Period Supplies reports that two in five people have trouble buying period supplies because they don't have enough money. That's a lot of people struggling with something that should be so basic!

Think about your last trip to the store. A box of tampons costs about $7-10, and most people need more than one box each month. When money is tight, people sometimes have to choose between buying food or period products. No one should have to make that choice.

How Period Poverty Affects Daily Life

When someone doesn't have period products, their whole life is affected. The results can be serious.

According to Helping Mamas, students often miss school when they don't have period products. This means they miss important lessons and may fall behind in class.

Period poverty can cause people to:

• Stay home from school or work
• Skip activities with friends
• Use unsafe items like paper towels that might cause infections
• Keep using the same pad or tampon too long
• Feel worried or embarrassed 

Imagine trying to focus on a math test when you're using toilet paper as a pad and hoping it doesn't leak. Or picture missing your favorite sport because you don't have period products. These are real problems that happen every day.

Who Is Most Affected by Period Poverty?

Period poverty doesn't affect everyone the same way. Some groups have a harder time than others.

Research from U by Kotex found that Black and Latina people struggle more with period poverty. Their study showed that about one in four Black (23%) and Latina (24%) people strongly agreed that they couldn't afford period products in the past year. 

The COVID-19 pandemic made everything worse. The same study found that 27% of people said the pandemic made it hard to get period products. Most of these people (65%) said it was because they couldn't afford them. 

When families have to cut their budgets, period products might be one of the things they can't buy. This creates an unfair situation for many people.

Period Poverty in Schools

For students, period poverty can mean missing important school days. This is a serious problem that affects education.

A YouGov poll found that 76.5% of Americans agree or strongly agree that period supplies should be free in public schools and universities. That means most people understand how important this is.

When schools provide free period products in bathrooms, it helps in many ways:

• Students don't have to miss class
• They can focus on learning instead of worrying
• They don't have to ask for products when they need them
• Everyone sees that periods are normal and nothing to be ashamed of

More schools are starting to provide free period products, but we still have a long way to go.

How Period Poverty Makes People Feel

Period poverty isn't just about the physical discomfort – it also affects how people feel emotionally.

Imagine being worried all day about leaking through your clothes because you don't have a proper pad. Or having to ask friends for period products because you can't afford them. These situations can make people feel embarrassed, anxious, and alone.

Even though period poverty is common, research shows only 4% of Americans know where to find free or low-cost period supplies in their area. This means many people don't know where to turn for help.

The shame and silence around periods make the problem worse. When we don't talk about periods openly, people suffer in silence.

How You Can Help End Period Poverty

The good news is that we can all help solve this problem! Here are ways you can make a difference:

1. Donate period products to food banks, shelters, or schools
2. Start a period product drive in your school or neighborhood
3. Talk openly about periods to help end the shame
4. Ask your school to provide free period products in bathrooms
5. Share facts about period poverty with friends and family

Even a small donation can help. According to Period.org, just $5 can provide enough period products for one person for a month. That's less than the cost of a slice of pizza!

Resources for Those Experiencing Period Poverty

If you or someone you know needs help getting period products, there's good news – help is available:

• School nurses often have free period products
• Food banks and shelters may offer period supplies
• Community health centers sometimes provide free products
• Local period supply programs exist in many areas

The National Coalition to End Period Poverty, or commonly known as Period., works to make period products more affordable and available. They also support having period-friendly bathrooms and teaching people about menstrual health. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Everyone deserves access to basic period products.

Working Together to End Period Poverty

During Period Poverty Awareness Week, there are many ways to get involved:

• Share facts about period poverty on social media using #endperiodpoverty
• Talk with friends and family about this important issue
• Donate period products to local organizations
• Write to your representatives about supporting laws that help
• Spread awareness about period poverty and spotlight organizations who are actively working to put an end to it, by providing sustainable, reusable, and safe period products. Here are a few organizations who are actively working to end period poverty: 
  
  • Period.co: Fighting against period poverty by introducing a product that is kind to the user and the planet- and affordable to all. 
  • Lola: Providing mission-driven female care for women, by women.
  • I Support the Girls: Making an impact by collecting and distributing a range of essential items for women, including menstrual hygiene products, bras, underwear, and more.
  • Rael: Empowers women to make healthier choices for their bodies through their personal care products and makes them accessible around the world.
  • Saalt: Provides premium, reusable products that are healthy for our bodies, and the environment — and giving back 1% to help end period poverty.

There are laws being considered right now to help solve this problem. The Period PROUD Act was reintroduced in Congress in February 2025 to help provide period products to people with low incomes. 

We Can Make a Difference

At Twentyeight Health, we believe everyone deserves access to necessary healthcare – including period products. Period poverty is a real problem affecting millions of people, but together we can help solve it.

Right now, members of eligible health plans can access online consultations and period care with Twentyeight Health, at no cost.

To find out if you are eligible, please reach out to our customer care team at contact@twentyeighthealth.com.

By donating products, talking openly about periods, and supporting helpful organizations, we can make sure everyone has the period products they need.

At the end of the day, we all agree that periods are a normal part of life. But not having access to period products shouldn't be.