“This is a health issue! A humans rights health issue!”

“This is a health issue! A humans rights health issue!”- Survey Participant 

Our survey from the ‘Dignity isn't Dirty’ campaign has concluded and the results certainly attest to what the LTSU has been endorsing. . 

La Trobe, we need to talk about period poverty.

Our survey was split into three key topics, period management, period accessibility and university initiative. We also wanted to gauge if students were satisfied with the education surrounding menstruation in general.

We asked students if they have ever felt unequipped to manage their period at university. 96.6% of respondents said yes, meaning they have not had access to period products at the start of or during their menstruation while at university. Furthermore, 66.4% claim they have not been able to afford period products, with half of this percentage stating that this occurs often. 82.9% of participants know someone who has been unable to afford period products. 

The campaign also examined  the experiences of menstruation, in particular the commonality of period pain. 82.7% of participants claimed they suffer from period pain often, while 13.7% said sometimes and only 3.6% said rarely. One respondent commented: “I suffer from adenomyosis. I’d love for there to be some support in place for people in my situation. My periods are debilitating and hospitalize me but there’s just not enough understanding for me to say I need help or time off due to my period.”

The survey also asked what period products La Trobe students use the most:

When students must forgo purchasing period products due to financial or accessibility issues, many resort to unsanitary ways of stemming their menstruation. 92.8% of participants cited that they commonly use non-approved feminine hygiene products such as underwear or toilet paper, with 5.7% claiming sometimes. Moreover, this issue often lends itself to students wearing a tampon for more than the recommended period of 4 hours. In fact, 80.5% of students claimed they have breached this four hour threshold for tampon usage. Amongst this percentage,  5.7% claim that this happens often. The following  graphic delineates the period hygiene practices of those who experience periods, with the shocking universal lack of products and improper management predisposing many to toxic shock syndrome. 

The message is clear. Students want to see more action in regard to period poverty. A staggering 97.9% want to see more education surrounding periods and menstruation. Along with this, many advocate that they would like to see education surrounding the topics of period pain, toxic shock syndrome, endometriosis and menstruation in general. 99.3% of respondents believe that period products are a necessity. Finally, 99.3% of students agree that the university should stock period products in all bathrooms. The university must act now, as this is what students want.

 “If toilet paper is provided, then why aren’t  menstrual products” - Survey Participant.