Menstruation & Homelessness: What You Should Know
How Menstruators Deal with their Periods
The unimaginable experiences homeless people go through is indescribable, a taboo that is not brought up enough.
For nearly a week straight, people who menstruate face the difficulty of using the small amount of money they have saved over to afford products to maintain their hygiene during that time.
Both disposable and non-disposable products can easily rack up prices over time, making it expensive to afford each month.
Depending on flow, symptoms, and income amount, the price of products adds up as women and trans men have to resort to alternatives such as socks, plastic bags, napkins, rags, shirts, and more.
They face health problems such as developing urinary tract infections, reproductive tract infections, yeast infections, and continuous poor menstrual health as they risk their health due to the lack of period products.
While donations such as food and clothing are always appreciated, the most forgotten item is menstrual products due to the lack of awareness.
It’s critical to remember that products are not a luxury but a necessity, and regardless of status, everyone should have access to them.
Environmentally Friendly Products
Although not generally great for the environment, those who menstruate once a month are forced into spending a ton of money on products that are a human necessity and contribute to polluting the environment.
According to the organization OrganiCup, menstrual products, and their wrappers accumulate to more than 200,000 tons of waste per year (OrganiCup). And according to their statistics, someone who menstruates goes through roughly 11,000 pads and/or tampons in their life.
Taking that into account, multiplying that times the number of people who have their period, this amounts to tons upon tons of waste.
Typically, normal period products contain polyethylene plastic and involve the production of cotton and non-organic cotton. The cotton has been saturated with harmful pesticides and insecticides as well as being harmful pollutants. However, an abundance of new products today has been crafted to better suit not only people but the environment as well.
These are some products to consider:
- OHNE
100% organic cotton, biodegradable, natural, unscented & unbleached
- TOTM
100% organic cotton, cruelty-free cotton grown without toxic, synthetic pesticides and uses sustainable farming methods
- Freda
Fragrance, pesticide, chemical & polyester free from 100% certified organic cotton that uses 70% renewable materials
- DAME
The first reusable tampon applicator made from organic cotton free from toxins, bleach & plastic
- Mooncup
first medical-grade original, soft & silicone menstrual cup
- DivaCup
A reusable menstrual cup that collects rather than absorbs flow
- Organyc
100% organic cotton, with no chlorine bleach, latex, parabens, perfumes, SAP, plastics or man-made materials
- TOP: The Organic Project
USDA certified organic cotton, free from chlorine beach, uses safe farming practices, 100% hypoallergenic, & uses biodegradable applicators
- O.B. Organic Tampons
100% Organic Cotton & from renewable resources, and free from pesticides, chlorine, & dyes
- Lola
100% organic cotton top sheet, core Plant-based bioplastic, Non-toxic adhesives without synthetic fibers, fragrance, dyes, chlorine bleach, & deodorant
What Can You Do?
Lack of access to sanitary products for homeless people is a devastating and overlooked experience that jeopardizes the healthcare of thousands. As homeless people confront the challenge of securing materials to feel sanitary and healthy, anyone can donate to a variety of organizations to help ensure that products are delivered to proper organizations with the best intentions in mind.
Here are some organizations to donate to:
- Helping Women Period
501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, committed to supplying menstrual health products to homeless or low-income people that menstruate.
- Homeless Period Project
Provides menstrual products to women and girls living in poverty while donating to homeless shelters, free medical clinics, schools, and other direct service non-profits.
- Freedom4Girls
Provides to those in need in regions across the UK, Kenya, & Uganda.
- Conscious Period
When purchasing a box of Conscious. tampons, they will provide a box of organic, biodegradable pads to a woman in need.
- Cora
Provides pads and health education to girls worldwide.
- Days for Girls
Prepares and distributes sustainable menstrual health solutions to girls who would otherwise miss school during their monthly periods.
- #TheHomelessPeriod
Provides sanitary towels and tampons for homeless women.
- Support the Girls
Provides period products to people experiencing homelessness in the US and across the globe.
- #HappyPeriod
Provides anyone that is homeless, low-income, and/or living in poverty with menstrual hygiene kits.
- Local shelters!
Be sure to look on the internet to find more information on local shelters open to donations.
The Harsh Reality
Homeless women can not afford sanitary products for the sales tax is in the power of each individual state, not that of the federal government.
There are only five of the fifty states that have removed the sales tax that remains on sanitary products, making a large majority of people left to pay extra on the necessities.
By giving back to those in need and who are unable to afford the needed products every month will help someone and make their daily struggles just a little easier.
Many would not understand the difficulties many homeless people face when it comes to menstruation but by alleviating the constant thought in the back of their minds by making donations and becoming mindful of their struggle, it helps to normalize the advantage that many of us don’t realize we have.
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Edited by Niti Jani, Director of Research Bloggers
