How does period poverty affect mental health? Tomi-Ann Roberts, PhD and Professor of Psychology at Colorado College, explores how lack of access to period products affects one's life.
Are periods tied to our mental health? You bet they are! And for a surprising number of people, the shame that comes from not being able to afford period supplies is a recipe for developing more severe mental health issues like anxiety disorders and depression. Those most likely to experience period poverty are students, low-income and homeless women and girls and transgender and nonbinary individuals.
U by Kotex® data suggests that one in five low-income women report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.1 The majority of those missing school are low-income students, who associate their periods with shame, because they feel uninformed about what menstruation is and can’t afford to buy supplies. Often, low-income girls and women have to make do with cloth, rags, tissues, toilet paper and sometimes even diapers or paper towels taken from public bathrooms.
It’s easy to see that period poverty creates a vicious cycle: having to stay home or sneak to find affordable solutions for your period reinforces feelings of shame, which can compound to lead to anxiety about your next cycle and whether you can find products, and this, then, can even lead to depression.
Shame thrives in silence. But we can stop period poverty shame by ending the silence. Let’s work together – out loud – to wipe out the shame that too many girls and women feel when they can’t afford the period products they need. Here are some ways to raise your voice and address period poverty in your own community:
About Tomi-Ann Roberts: Tomi-Ann Roberts, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Colorado College whose research, teaching, advocacy and expert testimony centers on her theory Objectification Theory, which examines the sexual objectification of girls and women. In addition to her scholarly publications, she has served on the American Psychological Association's Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls and as the President of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research.
Sources referenced: 1: According to a 2018 U by Kotex® survey conducted with YouGov
Having your period is totally natural and normal and you don’t have to feel alone or shy about it.
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Learn MoreHave you heard the term "period poverty," but not sure what it means? Alliance for Period Supplies breaks down the basics.
Learn MoreThis is not intended to be medical advice. Everybody is different so please make sure to consult your physician if you're having issues. Do not delay or refrain from seeking professional medical advice from your physician because of something you have read on this site.
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