Why are period products so expensive?
Asked by: Samantha Ritchie | Last update: December 23, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (42 votes)
Why do menstrual products cost so much?
It actually showed why sanitary napkins are so expensive. The major raw materials are the super absorbent fibre and the chemical that converts liquid to gel (ads call it the magic blue gel). Both are very expensive. These materials are also used in diapers, which is why they are pretty expensive too.
What is the average cost of period products?
According to recent data, the average person spends anywhere from US$120 to 180 on menstrual products over the span of a year. This means, depending on the length of the menstrual cycle, people can spend well over $5,000 on menstrual products over a lifetime. Depending on brands, taxes, and prices, these numbers vary.
Are period products considered a luxury?
But in states with a "tampon tax" — a term that usually applies to tampons plus many other menstrual care products — these products are considered "luxury items." (Broader still is the so-called pink tax, which isn't an actual tax and refers to instances in which items marketed toward women, such as razors, deodorants ...
Is it cheaper to use tampons or pads?
Pads can more expensive than tampons because you have to buy them more often, and you go through them more quickly. Whereas tampons are cheaper in the long run because you don't have to replace them as often. The fourth and final factor is the environmental impact.
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How many tampons does the average woman use per year?
Annually, that works out to a range of 63 to 730 pads or tampons used per menstruating female.
What states have banned pink taxes?
Vermont, Maine, Michigan, Louisiana, and New Mexico passed legislation to exempt menstrual products in 2021. Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, and Virginia banned the pink tax in 2022.
Will period products ever be free?
The period product scheme provides free period products to girls and women [footnote 1] in their place of study. It is available to state-maintained schools and Department for Education ( DfE ) funded 16 to 19 education organisations in England. The scheme is running for the academic year 2024 to 2025.
How wasteful are period products?
A person who menstruates spends an average of $12,800 on menstrual care products and disposes of over 10,000 products into landfills during their lifetime. You can save money and the help the environment just by switching to reusable menstrual care products!
What country has free menstrual products?
Scotland has become the first country in the world to make period products free for all. There is now a legal duty on local authorities to provide free items such as tampons and sanitary pads to "anyone who needs them".
How many girls miss school because of their period?
This finding is in line with other studies conducted by Tegegne and Sisay[16] who reported that over half (54.5%) of the girls had been absent from school during their last menstrual period. Bodat et al. [17] also reported that 43.2% girls who attained menarche would remain absent from school during menstruation.
How many years does a woman spend on her period?
Nine key facts on menstruation:
On average a woman menstruates for about 7 years during their lifetime. The first period can be met with either celebration, fear or concern. For every girl, this signifies an important transition to womanhood - a time when they would benefit from the support of family and friends.
What are the disadvantages of menstrual products?
- Can be hard to get used to inserting and emptying.
- Needs rinsing every time it is emptied.
- All internal menstrual products have a risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
- May not be suitable for overnight use – check product recommendations.
- Need sterilising once a month.
How much money does a woman spend on tampons in a lifetime?
Women have an average of 456 periods in their life, which translates to 9,120 tampons used. At an average price of seven dollars for a box of 36 tampons, the total amount women spend on tampons is approximately $1,773.33.
Is there a tampon tax?
The California government led by Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a tampon tax relief bill that passed both houses of the state legislature in 2016. The governor feared that tampon tax relief would mean a drop in public revenue. However, on Jan. 1, 2020, the state halted taxes on menstrual hygiene products for two years.
Why are people against free menstrual products?
Much of the backlash against free or tax-free menstrual care typically falls into four categories: "Worry about more important things," "Tampons and pads aren't that expensive," "It would be too expensive for the government to supply," and "Why should taxpayers fund a luxury?"
What is the period poverty?
Period poverty refers to the inability to afford and access menstrual products, sanitation and hygiene facilities and education and awareness to manage menstrual health. Simply put, period poverty costs women and girls too much and it doesn't have to be this way.
What age can you use Tampax?
There's no set age when a person can or should start using tampons, so there's no hard and fast rule about the “right” time to teach your tween or teen how to use them.
Is toilet paper taxed in Texas?
For example, flour, sugar, bread, milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables and similar groceries (food products) are not subject to Texas sales and use tax. Tax is due, however, on many non-food items such as paper, pet, and beauty products; clothing; books; and certain edible items.
Are tampons considered a luxury item?
In 32 states, women's hygiene products (like tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary pads) are subject to a luxury tax, which is placed on products or services that are deemed to be non-essential or unneeded.
Are tampons getting banned?
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Monday that will ban the sale of tampons and other menstrual products in California that contain certain levels of potentially toxic chemicals.
How many tampons did NASA send?
Not only is this story untrue, but it is misleading. According to a Poynter Fact Check: "NASA didn't actually send a woman to space with 100 tampons, like the song says. However, according to Ride, NASA did ask if that was the correct number."
Where is period poverty the worst?
In Algeria, the worst country for period affordability, menstrual products might cost a local person 14.8% of their monthly income.