Are there really that many people who can't afford period products? 

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A 2021 study conducted by YouGov on behalf of U by Kotex® and shared through the Alliance for Period Supplies revealed that 2 in 5 menstruators have struggled to purchase period products, a 35% increase from the brand’s initial 2018 research. That study also uncovered how Period Poverty disproportionately impacts Black and Latina people, as well as how COVID-19 exasperated this public health issue. Other key findings included:

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• Over one-third (38%) of low-income people with periods report missing work, school, or similar commitments due to lack of access to period supplies.​​​

• Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) Americans agree that Period Poverty is a public health issue, yet only 4% of Americans are aware of a local resource where free or reduced cost period supplies are available. This is why it's important to amplify the work of local organizations like Period.* and Operation Reproductive Health.**

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A 2025 State of the Period study by Period.org and Thinx found the impact of period poverty has worsened and is especially severe for teens:

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• 24% of U.S. teens struggle to afford products (compared to 23% in 2023)

• 45% wear products longer than recommended

• 64% have experienced a “Code Red,” relying on others for supplies (a 6-point increase since 2023)

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Lower-income students are impacted the most by access issues, with over a third (34%) struggling to afford period products or being unable to purchase them at all. Meanwhile, 45% of Black teens express that overall economic pressure on their family has affected their period product purchasing habits. 

Four in 10 teens (39%) have also felt unable to do their best on schoolwork due to limited period product accessibility, showcasing that period poverty is not just about the lack of access to products, but a matter of academic equity.

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Is Period Poverty really a problem in Oregon?

According to the Alliance for Period Supplies:

• 1 in 7 menstruators between the ages of 12 and 44 live below the Federal Poverty level.

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• 13% of menstruating students in Oregon's public school grades 7-12  attend Title 1 Eligible schools.

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These low-income neighbors might have to choose between purchasing food and period products, although both are basic necessities!

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Can’t people get period products through government programs? 

Menstrual hygiene supplies are not covered by SNAP, WIC, or other government programs and are rarely available at food pantries.

What about schools?

Fortunately, Oregon passed the Menstrual Dignity Act in 2021. According to this law, period products should be available and free in all Oregon public schools, but the need is so great that many schools cannot keep up with demand. Educators should click for the updated Menstrual Dignity for Students Toolkit and a recent Oregon Department of Education bulletin on the Menstrual Dignity Grant Program.

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Why host this collection now? 

We're hosting our collection and related events in conjunction with national Period Poverty Awareness Week (May 11-17) and World Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28)—in an effort to do our part to build awareness of the dire crisis of Period Poverty and to advocate for continued research and policy development regarding this humanitarian issue.