Period Poverty on Campus

This article is written with statistics from the ‘Period Pride Report: Bloody Big Survey Findings’: Australia’s largest survey on attitudes and experiences of periods’, written by Jane Connory and WhyHive.

Period Poverty is an endemic issue which entails a lack of accessibility to hygiene products, whether this be due to financial, cultural, or social reasons. Moreover, there is a distinct lack of education around hygiene, safe menstruation practices, and waste management. Menstruation is the basis of all human existence; Having a period is normal physiological process, and needs to be treated as such. While menstruation is mostly experienced by women, it must be noted that not all who experience a period are women, such as non binary, gender fluid and transgender individuals. This article also recognises that not everyone who is biologically able to have a period can experience one, such as people who suffer from endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and other conditions that can hinder a period.

Period Poverty is prevalent amongst higher education students, with 10% of those surveyed by the report citing that they are currently studying at university or TAFE. The report exposed that a staggering 40% of individuals have switched from more suitable period products in favour of cheaper ones. For those unaware of the differences in price between the premium and cheap period products, or even the price of period products in general, here are the damning statistics:

●     Unbranded pads can start at $1.80 a pack and bulk packs of branded pads can cost up to $10.80

●     Tampons can range in price from $2.88 for a 12 pack to $6.80 for a 16 pack

●     Prices can reach $12 in areas where period products are scarce, such as in rural and distant areas

●     Other, more environmentally-friendly period products such as Diva Cups or period underwear cost on average $40 and $20, respectively.

Although spending an extra few cents per pad or tampon may sound minor, over the course of a lifetime these extra few cents cascade into thousands of dollars. Women's Health Magazine dug further into this idea, unveiling that $19.54 spent each month on period products accumulates to $9379.73 over the course of a woman’s reproductive lifetime.

As far as safe hygiene practices go, 49% of those surveyed admitted to wearing a tampon or pad for over 4 hours because they did not have a spare. More than one in five Australians have resorted to using toilet paper, socks or other miscellaneous yet equally unhygienic alternatives due to a lack of access to period products.

So why is this information relevant? Wearing a tampon for more than 4 hours increases the risk of contracting ‘toxic shock syndrome’, a rare but can be fatal condition caused by, amongst other things, the prolonged use of a tampon. Nevertheless, the complications of using other, unapproved period products are just as dire. Take toilet paper for example, a common ‘break glass in case of emergency’ alternative when access to menstrual hygiene products is scarce. Over the course of its use as an improvised hygiene product, the toilet paper degrades and the little bits of fibre which make it flushable can enter the urinary tract and cause infection. Coupled with this is the social distress if the toilet paper degrades and causes blood to seep into clothes. Whilst these may seem like easy problems to fix, the distinct lack of education on safe practices regarding menstruation at universities across Australia also cannot be excused.

There are also the psychosocial effects of having periods. 48% of individuals have admitted to missing class due to menstruation. A further 75% of individuals noted that it is difficult to pay attention in class and sit exams, whether due to physical or emotional pain or discomfort. This also suggests that experiencing a period is another important factor worth considering when addressing gendered disparities in academic achievement and performance.  As noted earlier, not all people who menstruate are women. 42% of transgender males hide any sign that they are menstruating. According to the survey, of those who identified as gender-fluid, non-binary and transgender, 30% were not able to afford period products. It’s time for us to have a serious conversation about periods, and it's time for us to involve our LGTBQI+ community in this conversation. 

So how can we take action?

In 2019, The Victorian Government provided all government schools with free access to period products such as tampons and pads. Dispensers filled with free pads and tampons were installed in bathrooms. This initiative has been successful in combating period poverty for students in high school by better equipping them with the products they need. Universities could do the same. By having dispensers or a vending machine filled with these products, this will increase accessibility and will mean a student will not have to go without the appropriate period product. More education should be provided for the wider community about periods and the effects of periods. This information should also be learnt during our formative primary school years for all genders. Mentioning of the psychological effects of periods in mental health trainings could also be helpful, as they can be stressful and many individuals suffer from premenstrual syndrome, a syndrome in which negative symptoms can occur before a period such as mood swings and fatigue. Bathrooms should be menstruation friendly. Menstruation friendly bathrooms are equipped with sanitary bins, handwash and period products, this will ensure that menstruation will be a less stressful experience.

Period products should be available for free in bathrooms, as menstruating is a normal bodily function, the products used should also be a normal bathroom staple. Understanding menstruation could also help assist the fight to close the gender equality gap as this promotes equity and more assistance to help those who struggle while experiencing a period.

The LTSU is conducting a survey to gauge an idea of how La Trobe students are managing their menstrual cycles and the accessibility of period products amongst students and staff. This will grant the Union better insight into the shortcomings in the university’s approach towards period hygiene and will better orient our future endeavours to stem these issues.

To participate in this survey, use this QR code.