No one should have to choose between buying food and tampons

Menstruation isn’t just inconvenient, and for some, physically painful—it’s also costly. On average, women in the UK spend around £10 per month on period products, adding up to nearly £4,800 over a lifetime. This figure doesn’t include additional costs such as pain relief, new underwear, or hygiene products. 

For low-income women and students, this cost is more than a burden—it’s an economic hardship. A 2023 report from ActionAid UK found that 1 in 10 women in the UK struggles to afford period products, a situation known as period poverty.  

Among students, the problem is even more pronounced. A survey by Plan International UK—which focuses specifically on the UK—revealed that nearly 49% of girls had missed at least one day of school due to lack of access to period products. Students facing financial hardship often find themselves forced to choose between essentials like food and sanitary products. Amika George, founder of the UK-based #FreePeriods campaign, has been advocating for free period products for years.  

Speaking to Refinery29, she said: “I get messages from young people saying they’d never even ask their mum for products because it would be a choice between food and tampons.”  

A separate Plan International UK study found that nearly 20% of respondents had used a food bank to access period products. Even more concerning, 50% of girls who struggled to afford period products reported cutting back on food and groceries to make ends meet.  

Renne Kai, a food bank worker from London, confirmed that demand for period products has surged in recent years. “We see more women every month asking for pads and tampons. It’s heartbreaking because they often feel embarrassed, but these are basic necessities, not luxuries,” she said. 

Jen Sonny, a university student, said: “Cheaper period products would improve my mental health because I wouldn’t have to worry about saving money just to manage my period. If I couldn’t afford them, I might have to miss work or university.” Beyond the financial burden, period poverty has direct health consequences. A WaterAid UK survey of 2,000 women, girls, and non-binary people aged 14 to 50 found that 1 in 4 women (26%) wore period products for longer than recommended, putting themselves at risk of infections.  

One respondent admitted, “I use the cheapest toilet roll I can find instead of period products. It’s not hygienic, but it’s all I can afford.”  

Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a GP based in London, warns that these practices can have serious health consequences.  

“Wearing tampons or pads for too long increases the risk of infections like bacterial vaginosis and even toxic shock syndrome. I’ve had patients come in with rashes and recurring infections because they’re forced to stretch out their supplies,” she said.  

Emilia Sonté, a UK-based activist for menstrual equity, argues that period poverty is more than just a health issue—it’s about gender equality. She said: “No one should have to choose between buying food and buying tampons. Period poverty is a direct result of structural inequality.”  

The UK government has taken steps to tackle period poverty. In 2021, it abolished the 5% VAT on period products, effectively ending the so-called “tampon tax.” Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products free for anyone who needs them. Additionally, since 2020, secondary schools and colleges in England have provided free menstrual products.  

However, campaigners argue that these efforts don’t go far enough. A 2022 survey by Bloody Good Period, a UK charity focused on menstrual equity, found that 73% of women still believe period products are too expensive. Furthermore, 27% of those experiencing financial hardship reported using makeshift solutions like toilet paper or cloth instead of proper sanitary products.  

Kate Francis, a university student in London, emphasised the ongoing challenges. She said: “Periods are not a luxury, yet many women are forced to treat them like one. We need a nationwide commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind just because they menstruate.”  

The conversation around period poverty is growing, but activists stress that affordability is just one part of the solution. Reducing stigma, improving education, and ensuring universal access to period products remain crucial steps toward menstrual equity. Until then, for many women, the cost of managing a period will remain an unavoidable— and unnecessary—financial strain.