Why are feminine hygiene products so expensive?

Tampons are classed as a luxury because it costs very little to produce them and have a very high profit margin, which is the amount by which revenue from sales exceeds costs.

Why are female hygiene products expensive?

This extra cost to feminine products has been dubbed the Pink Tax as it deters women from having easy access to feminine hygiene products. The pink tax is defined as expanding a product's value based on gender, typically this rise in price is specific towards products marketed for women.

How much does the average woman spend on feminine hygiene products?

The average woman spends about $20 on feminine hygiene products per cycle, adding up to about $18,000 over her lifetime. Pads and tampons are expensive, and many shelters are not only overcrowded, but lack resources to provide more than a few items per menstrual cycle.

Why feminine hygiene products should be free?

Offering free and accessible period products can help people who menstruate save upwards of $5,000 in their lifetimes, reduces stress on women's shelters, and reduces waste — especially if the products provided are eco-friendly!

Are menstrual products overpriced?

“As studies have shown, many women find feminine hygiene products overpriced, which of course only proofs that the image of period poverty is real," said Danela Žagar, The Brand Manager for INTIMINA.

Why Are We Paying for Feminine Hygiene Products?

Why are tampons considered a luxury item?

Tampon tax is a term used for the tax imposed on menstrual hygiene products by a government. These products are not subject to a unique or special tax but are classified as luxury items along with other goods that are not exempted.

How can I get free feminine products?

Alliance for Period Supplies

Anyone who needs period products can text 211 or visit 211.org to find a location giving out free tampons and pads.

Are pads or tampons cheaper?

Super absorbency pads for heavy flows probably had the most price fluctuation out of any feminine products — ranging from $0.12 to $0.42 , which is no small difference! Super tampons were a little more stable, with most prices hovering between $0.19 and $0.28.

Why are sanitary pads not free?

More than the process of making the sanitary pads it is the customs duty levied on the raw materials of the pads such as absorbent polymer and wood pulp that increases the price of these products.

What can I use if I don't have a pad or tampon?

How many pads a day is normal?

A very rough estimate would be four or five pads, assuming that you're getting at least the recommended 7 hours of sleep at night. Keep in mind these factors that might make you want (or need) to use more: Exercise. Sweat can make things wetter and smellier down there.

How much period blood is lost in a lifetime?

You will spend nearly 10 years of your life on your period

Added up, this equates to around 10 years — or about 3,500 days — of the average woman's life that will be spent menstruating. Translated into period products, this works out at around 11,000 tampons that the average woman uses in a lifetime.

Why are there no tampons in stores?

Businesses and consumers reacted to shortages by ordering earlier and extra, especially ahead of the holidays, but that has placed more strain on the system. These issues are a key factor in rising inflation and are likely to last through 2022 — if not longer.

Is pink tax a real thing?

The pink tax is not an actual tax, but many apparel products designed for women have higher import tariffs than men's counterparts. A handful of state and local governments have regulations to prohibit gendered price discrimination. The U.S. federal government does not, though bills have been introduced.

Why are women's toiletries more expensive?

So why are retailers charging higher prices for 'women's products' while men are saving cash every year on equivalent toiletries? On average, men already get paid more than women do due to the gender pay gap, so this 'pink tax' on women's products feels doubly unfair.

What is the reason for pink tax?

The goal of the Pink Tax Repeal Act is to end gender discrimination across goods and services on a national level. For some context, there was a California Assembly Office of Research study in 1994 that found women paid $1,351 more than men each year for the exact same services.

In which country are sanitary pads free?

1. Scotland. In November 2020, Scotland became the first country to provide tampons and sanitary pads to anyone who needs them. Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon led the effort through the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill.

Which country is giving free sanitary pad?

Scotland, The First Country To Make Period Products Free

In November 2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to pass The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill by a vote of 121.

How common is period poverty?

Globally, an estimated 500 million people who menstruate lack access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities. There are an estimated 16.9 million people who menstruate living in poverty in the United States.

Is it better to wear a tampon or pad to bed?

It's understandable that sleeping with a tampon in is way more comfortable than sleeping with a pad. But in order to maintain safety, you should always put in a new tampon before bed and make sure that it's a tampon that fits the heaviness of your flow.

What to do if you can't afford tampons?

A menstruating person can save over $1,000 if they use one cup instead of disposable pads and tampons. If you or someone you know lives in period poverty, you may find assistance through your local health department, a CampusCup group (if one exists at your college), the Alliance for Period Supplies, or #HappyPeriod.

How many periods does a woman have in a lifetime?

Women have about 450 periods during their lifetime, which means you have plenty of chances to learn all about it. Even so, your period can still manage to surprise you -- and not just by showing up when you least expect it.

Can you donate period blood?

You can safely donate blood during your period if it is required and your period will not be affected by the donation. It may be better to donate the week after periods, but it is still manageable if you are not bleeding heavily, your haemoglobin is more than 11 g/dl and you are not in any discomfort or pain.

Can I use a sock as a pad?

SOCKS: Use your old socks to make a temporary pad. You can wrap a toilet paper around the sock on your underwear to prevent it from shifting. Socks are usually sweat absorbent and hence make makeshift pads.

What to do if you have no pads left?