The Intersection Between Period Poverty and Mental Health
“Sometimes,” I think to myself, “I’m actually really thankful to be born in this generation.” While Generation Z may have its faults, I have come to greatly appreciate how open we are to using our voices for empowerment and change. Whether it’s destigmatizing taboos or speaking out against injustices, many of us don’t realize how much power our generation possesses in social, economic, and political spheres.
Consider the topic of mental health; it has been heavily stigmatized over the last few decades. For a long time, the idea of going to therapy or seeking help was perceived as weak. Take the mass amount of asylums in the United States that shut down in the late 2000s. Most people didn’t even know how to start a conversation on mental health. The tide turned as activism took center stage, and public resources and community-based mental health care grew in popularity. There was an increased cognizance of mental health in the context of wellbeing. A survey by Time to Change, a social movement in the United Kingdom, concluded that an estimated 4.1 million people experienced improved attitudes toward mental health since 2007 . I’ve experienced this improvement firsthand; my city has a teen-led mental health initiative that I was able to join. As a society, we’ve made significant strides in mental health awareness, but we still have a long way to go. That starts with discourse regarding the intersection between mental health and systemic injustices, such as the various facets of racism, homophobia, and the subject of this article: period poverty.
Period poverty is a force for disempowerment. Not only does it disrupt physical and mental wellbeing, it also impedes menstruators’ abilities to engage fully in various spheres of life. Millions of menstruators around the world cannot attend school or work due to period poverty and the associated anxieties of managing periods outside of the home. In some rural areas of Nepal, deeply rooted cultural perceptions of menstruation being a curse are common. Cultural traditions or societal viewpoints can lead to a sense of ostracization and shame for many menstruators, to the detriment of their mental health.
Due to societal taboos about periods being “dirty,” people with periods consistently feel the need to hide the fact that they’re menstruating. I am in high school, and I experience this as well. From hiding a pad under my sleeve when walking to the bathroom to hesitating to remove the wrapper (lest the noise lets someone know I’m on my period), I also face stigma to a certain degree. This fear of periods being “public” is one that many menstruators consistently strive to avoid. For some, it’s a source of continued shame, humiliation, and embarrassment, which is oftentimes perpetuated by those closest to them.
Common perceptions conclude that the ability to manage one’s period safely and with sufficient resources is a matter of dignity. Thus, period poverty, or an inability to do just that, has a largely adverse effect on mental health. A study conducted by researchers in India analyzed this connection, observing that more than 35% of the global population lacks access to hygiene necessities, including adequate sanitation facilities, clean and accessible water, and available hygiene products. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to worsening mental health among those experiencing period poverty, as the availability of products decreased and prices increased. Pandemic-era inflation caused some to resort to unsafe materials to manage their periods, in addition to stretching products (wearing a period product longer than it is meant to be used). Community initiatives and social services were put on hold as menstrual insecurity continued to exacerbate gender disparities. Interpersonal networks weakened, and the financial burden of menstruation became more apparent than ever as pandemic stress surged. Millions of students were cut off from essential menstrual health education, reducing their confidence to manage menstruation safely. The same study found that 49.4% of women experiencing period poverty had depressive symptoms, compared to 28.6% who didn’t experience period poverty. Widespread experiences of isolation and loneliness during the pandemic corroborated these trends.
While the world recovers from the pandemic, this issue isn’t necessarily diminishing. State of the Period 2023 reported that a quarter of teens and a third of adults struggle to afford period products. Among college students, the issue remains prevalent as well. According to a study from George Mason University, 10% of college students experience period poverty every month, and of those, 68% are more likely to experience moderate to severe depression, compared to 43% who do not experience period poverty. Period poverty continues to take a significant toll on the mental health and stress levels of people with periods. For those experiencing the worst of it, it’s often a dire question of purchasing food or menstrual products. It is undeniable that, although the worst effects of the pandemic have passed, we remain embroiled in a mental health crisis.
Research indicates a strong relationship between period poverty and depression, negative self-perception, and anxiety. It’s widespread, and it’s all around us. Global action discussing period poverty is absolutely necessary. While NGOs, nonprofits, and activists are speaking out against the prevalence of period poverty, more wide-scale acknowledgement on the part of governments must occur. Concrete policy action, whether via menstrual product distribution schemes, elimination of the tampon tax, or product subsidies for lower-income families, could drive the change all menstruators wish to see in society. Affordability and accessibility in the menstrual product sphere are integral to improving both menstrual and mental health. Still, we must not forget the power of using our collective voice. As Generation Z, we have the power to open up dialogue around the intersection of two relatively stigmatized topics. It is something that will benefit us all, helping us work toward a better, more equitable tomorrow: a tomorrow where we can #EndPeriodPoverty.
