Complete report
Background
Period poverty affects menstruating individuals of all ages in
communities throughout the United States. Menstrual equity is a question of
equity in a broader sense, one that is vital for the health and success of
future generations. Schools, prisons, and public restrooms overwhelmingly fail
to provide pads and tampons, leaving a large sector of the population
confronting a public health issue with profound consequences: physical health
risks, social and psychological effects, and for students in particular, educational
fallout. In a survey conducted with low-income women in St. Louis, lack of
access to period products was comparable in many cases to that of women in
countries that have far fewer resources than the United States.
Survey Findings
The
vast majority of students who responded to the State of the Period survey have
experienced the stress of inaccessible period products. 1 in 5 teens have
struggled to afford period products or were not able to purchase them at all.
The results of this survey suggest that the practical consequences are clear.
More than 4 in 5 teens have either missed class time or know a classmate who
missed class time because they did not have access to period products. These physical,
emotional, and educational consequences are clear to students, who are
increasingly aware of the growing discourse around menstrual equity. The
students surveyed expressed the need for stronger advocates who can help ensure
that period products are available in their schools alongside basic necessities
like toilet paper and soap.
Access
Students
across demographic groups (including age, household income, living in both
urban and rural areas, and attending public and private schools) reported a
lack of access to period products. The data below therefore pertains
specifically to issues of access among the survey participants across the
demographic groups accounted for in this survey:
•
Two-thirds of teens have felt stress due to lack of access
to period products.
•
20% (1 in 5 teens) have struggled to afford period
products or were not able to purchase them at all.
•
61% have worn a tampon or pad for more than 4 hours
because they did not have enough access to period
products (puts them at risk of infection and TSS).
•
84% (more than 4 in 5 teens) have either missed class
time or know someone who missed class time because
they did not have access to period products.
•
25% (1 in 4 teens)
have missed class because of lack
of access to period products.
•
83% (more than 4 in 5 teens) think lack of access to
period products is an issue that is not talked about
enough.
The majority (51%) of students feel like their school does
not care about them if they do not provide free period
products in their bathrooms.
1 in 5 teens
in the US have struggled to
afford period products
or were not able to purchase
them at all.
more than
4 in 5 students (84%)
in the US have either missed
class time or know someone who
missed class time because
they did not have access to
period products.
51% have missed at least part of
a class or class period
due to menstruation symptoms such
as cramps.
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