A staggering one in ten people who menstruate simply cannot afford basic hygiene products, with some forced to take dangerous risks such as wearing tampons for too long.
More than a third of those who struggled, said they wore pads or tampons for more than the recommended time or turned to alternatives such as tissues, cotton wool, or paper.
This increased the likelihood of serious life-threatening Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs).
Locally, organisations such as Upturn have teamed up with health campaigner Dr Anita Sharma, to distribute period products free of charge to women’s refuges and community centres. There, they heard how women shunned going out altogether because of the problem.
Dr Sharma, Chair and founder of Endometriosis Awareness North said: “No one should face barriers simply because of their period. One in 10 avoids going into work, and a similar number missed school, college or university because of period poverty.
“Yes, we really do now live in a country where women are dicing with serious sickness because they are forced to choose between paying the rent, feeding their children, or ensuring that their own health is okay.”
Speaking during Period Poverty Awareness Week, Dr Sharma said that the issue was more prevalent in the North and added: “This situation is really shameful and allied to poorer health facilities and weak nutrition is leading to lives actually being lost.”
“Shame and embarrassment may seem to be the main result of period poverty. But Dr Sharma reminded us that untreated urinary infections can lead to conditions such as sepsis and kidney damage.
“And the picture can get even bleaker. Because treatment for these UTIs may not work in some cases – as overused antibiotics simply don’t work!
“Experts also believe that poor feminine hygiene leading to infection can have a significant impact on women’s ability to conceive.
“The cost of sanitary pads has increased by close-on 20 per cent over the past five years, and we all know about the squeeze to household income caused by the cost-of-living crisis,” continued Dr Sharma.
She concluded: “The best but most challenging solution is to beat poverty altogether. That way many health issues that are costing people their lives and the country a fortune in healthcare could be reduced.
“But we should also be encouraging a greater dialogue on gynaecological problems and more concern for women’s health in general.”
Dr Sharma’s charity has produced a special webpage on period poverty. Visit https://endometriosisawarenessnorth.com/period-poverty
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