Did you know that there are currently a shortage of tampons affects 34 million people in the country?
Menstruating America is struggling to find hygiene products like tampons. Consumers are increasingly frustrated by the lack of products on the shelves. It seems that women are continuously suffering from supply chain problems, and this problem is the latest to affect women after the shortage of baby formula.
Can women endure another dire shortage or is it time to turn to alternatives?
Many wonder what has caused the shortage.
The supply of materials necessary for the manufacture of tampons is one of the main reasons for the shortage. Seconds Bloomberg, factories that produce plastic used in menstrual products have closed for maintenance. Many factories are also facing staff shortages, making it increasingly difficult to keep up with demand. Shipping and transportation costs have also increased, further exacerbating shortages and shipping delays.
This has led to an increase in panic buying, where people buy products in bulk (think of the panic buying of toilet paper starting with the COVID pandemic). Unfortunately, panic buying makes the situation worse as it causes products to quickly disappear from the shelves at times when they are most needed.
How bad is the problem?
Tampons are expensive and buying menstrual products every month is already a burden for women who cannot afford them. Seconds Bloomberg, the average cost of menstrual pads has increased by about 8% and tampons by almost 10%. If that doesn’t already sound like a serious problem, it’s worth noting that women of color are disproportionately affected by this shortage. As with the infant formula shortage, it is low-income women, and particularly women of color, who face the greatest financial burdens and are most affected.
Earlier this year, Connecticut passed a bill: HB5272 — make menstrual products free in public institutions such as schools and shelters. across the state recognized the inability of many women to afford the menstrual products needed to maintain their monthly cycles, a concept known as period poverty. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, student advocates and nonprofits like it LiveGirl raised awareness of this issue and worked with state legislators to ultimately pass the bill.
Janet Stolfi Alfano of Diper Bank, a CT-based nonprofit that helps ensure women have access to sanitary and menstrual products, said, “This shortage highlights what many residents of CT every day. Supply chain disruptions hit low-income individuals and families hardest.”
While states like Connecticut have set milestones that can help combat crises like the recent tampon shortage, women across the country continue to suffer. How long can women endure suffering for basic needs?
With rising prices, is there any hope for women who are already struggling to afford the basics?
The answer is yes and no. On the bright side, there are many alternatives to tampons. These include vintage underwear and diva cups. However, both products have pros and cons.
Period underwear is underwear that absorbs blood. These come in a variety of colors and are meant to be worn as regular underwear. Thinx, named one of the best period underwear by the New York Times, provides security and is said to absorb as much menstrual blood as four tampons. The downside is that vintage underwear is priced higher than regular underwear. A pair of underwear can cost upwards of $30.
Menstrual cups, also known as “Diva cups,” are another alternative product that women are increasingly turning to amid the supply crunch. Menstrual cups are reusable and can last for years if cared for properly. However, as with vintage underwear, these cups are expensive, costing around $30. Although they can last a long time, those who are struggling financially are not looking to spend more than they have to. In addition, not many people know how to use menstrual cups and there are doubts when purchasing the product.
However, now more than ever, women are turning to these alternatives more and more, and maybe you should too. The supply chain problem and increased ecological anxiety have led to an interest in vintage underwear and diva cups, both of which are reusable and much more sustainable.
To learn more about sustainable menstrual brands, I spoke with Claire Coder, CEO of Aunt Flow. Aunt Flow is a brand that distributes organic, plastic-free bathroom products that are better for the environment than conventional products. Fortunately, there is hope for women, as not all brands are facing a tampon shortage. Claire stated that “periods don’t stop, so neither do we.” Indeed, as “cotton prices have risen, ports are closed and the supply chain continues to deteriorate; Aunt Flow’s team has worked tirelessly to ensure everyone has access to basic necessities.”
Seconds global citizen, menstrual products generate more than 200 million metric tons of waste each year and create a carbon footprint equivalent to 12 pounds of CO2 emissions. What’s worse is that most of these menstrual products are made from plastic, which can take hundreds of years to decompose.
Claire further stated that “reducing waste in a period-positive way is very important, but every menstruator deserves to know the ingredients in the period products they use. 100% organic cotton products are safe for the body And environmentally friendly.”
There’s a key point to this: If you haven’t thought about turning to sustainable alternatives, then in the midst of supply chain buffer shortages and climate change, now’s the time to try. For example, you can get involved with nonprofits like LiveGirl to advocate loudly for issues you care about. At LiveGirl, we know that young people have the power, the vice and the conviction to make change happen. Join us
Asija Qyteza is a student at Wesleyan University and a member of LiveGirl, a Connecticut-based nonprofit that builds confident and inclusive leaders.