A recent poll by ActionAid found that 1 in 5 of UK-based women and people who menstruate struggle to afford essential period products — a figure that has almost doubled from 12% the previous year.
That means millions within our communities face impossible choices between essential items, including menstrual products, and other necessities. And period poverty is not only a financial issue, it’s a social, educational, and health concern that affects millions across the country.
What is Period Poverty?
Period poverty refers to the lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints.
And it’s a two-fold issue: many of us, including people who don’t have periods, don’t know enough about them. Which results in stigma and negative feelings around menstruation.
Period Poverty isn’t just confined to low-income communities either. It spans various demographics, including students, asylum seekers, and those in unstable employment.
Work and Education
A major consequence of period poverty is the disruption to work and education.
Nearly 137,700 children and teens in the UK miss school every year because they cannot afford menstrual products, according to ActionAid. And in working age adults, 19% regularly miss work due to symptoms, mental health and access to period products or suitable facilities.
Avoidable disruptions that mean many miss out on education, training, and career opportunities.
Health and Hygiene
Surveys reveal that 41% of those experiencing period poverty keep products in for longer than recommended, and 8% have reused disposable pads.
In lieu of sanitary products, many are forced to use makeshift alternatives such as socks or toilet paper.
Without alternatives, using unhygienic materials or extending the use of disposable products puts people at risk of infections and other serious health complications.
Mental Health challenges
Period poverty has mental health implications too.
A recent UK survey found over half of respondents had been made to feel ashamed by others due to stigma and lack of education around menstruation. Which is made worse when people miss school, work, or social activities due to their period.
Missing out often gives way to feeling isolated, which over time, can take a serious toll on mental health, contributing to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
We Need to Talk About Periods
Truly addressing period poverty means breaking the silence and initiating conversations about menstruation. Our schools, workplaces, and communities must normalise discussing periods, and not just with those who experience them. By involving everyone in these conversations, we can reduce stigma and make it easier for people in our communities to ask for and receive support.
We need to move past the perceived ‘awkwardness’ of these conversations to shift culture. It’s a crucial move that brings us toward a future where periods aren’t a barrier to education, employment, or opportunity.
How we're breaking barriers
Raising awareness is crucial, but we know it must go hand in hand with action we can take in our communities.
We often see participants held back, not because of lack of ability, but because of simple things like missing products or stigma around their period. By providing free period products and suitable facilities at every project volunteers can focus on their goals, without worrying about their basic needs.
A simple but vital provision means everyone has the chance to participate confidently and gain the most out of our projects.
UK-Based Support Services for Period Poverty
Period poverty is more than a financial issue, it’s a genuine barrier to health, education, and opportunity. Tackling this issue is essential for creating a more equal future for millions, and by taking collective action, we can ensure menstrual health is recognised as a basic right, not a privilege.
At our projects, we’re proud to provide free period products and safe spaces so that nobody has to miss out on learning, building skills, or connecting with their community.
If you or someone you know is affected by period poverty, you aren’t alone. Here are some links you may find useful:
Bloody Good Period – Provides free period products to those who can’t afford them and offers reproductive health education to communities.
Freedom4Girls – A charity distributing free period products and reusable menstrual items, particularly focusing on marginalised communities. They also provide menstrual health education and support.
Hey Girls – A social enterprise providing free period products and menstrual health education across various sectors, including schools, workplaces, and community organisations.
