The First Period: Setting the Tone
Menstruation begins a long relationship with health, dignity, and self-image. For girls experiencing their first periods, a lack of products can create fear, shame, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Instead of celebrating a natural milestone, many begin their menstrual years with anxiety and secrecy.
Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Access challenges often intensify in adolescence. Girls who cannot afford products may miss school, avoid sports or social activities, and feel alienated from peers. In young adulthood, when financial independence is just beginning, the cost of products can mean tough choices between groceries, transportation, or menstrual care. These disruptions chip away at academic and career opportunities.
Adulthood, Pregnancy, and Postpartum
As women move into adult years, consistent access to products becomes even more critical. Period Poverty during pregnancy and postpartum recovery can lead to infection risk and physical discomfort. For working women, it translates into missed shifts, lower confidence at work, and financial setbacks.
Menopause and Beyond
Even menopause does not mark the end of the story. Perimenopause brings irregular, often heavier cycles, while post-menopause health may be shaped by years of limited care. The cumulative stress and consequences of Period Poverty can leave long-lasting marks.