---
title: Unmet Menstrual Hygiene Needs Among Low-Income Women
date: 2019-02-01T03:00:00-05:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/unmet-menstrual-hygiene-needs-among-low-income-women"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Unmet Menstrual Hygiene Needs Among Low-Income Women

“Period poverty” happens when someone can’t afford to access menstrual products, clean and sanitary facilities, or accurate information about menstruation. This research project interviewed 183 low-income people about their access to menstrual products and what they do when they cannot afford to buy them.

> Menstrual hygiene supplies are a basic necessity that many low-income women lack. Adequate menstrual hygiene involves access to clean sanitary materials that can be changed in private as often as necessary, access to soap and water for washing, and access to a place for the hygienic disposal of used sanitary materials or washing, if reusable pads are used. Inadequate menstrual hygiene has been associated with infections and poor health-related quality-of-life.

[Read the full article ](https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2019/02000/Unmet_Menstrual_Hygiene_Needs_Among_Low_Income.2.a%20spx)

SOURCE: Obstetrics & Gynecology • AUTHOR: Anne Sebert Kuhlmann, Eleanor Peters Bergquist, Djenie Danjoint, L Lewis Wall • LAST UPDATED: February 1, 2019

![Unmet Menstrual Hygiene Needs Among Low Income Women scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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) Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ menstrual cycle](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/menstrual-cycle)
- [ diverse lived experiences of the menstrual cycle](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/diverse-lived-experiences-menstrual-cycle)
- [period poverty](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/period-poverty)
- [poverty](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/poverty)
- [menstrual products](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/menstrual-products)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

- We rigorously evaluate all content
- We embrace a reproductive justice framework
- We don’t accept ads or sell products
- We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry
- We counter misinformation and disinformation
- We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality

[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesLook

## A Brief History of Periods/Vagina Museum Period Exhibition Print

Illustrator Hazel Mead created A Brief History of Periods to teach about menstruation throughout history.

![A Brief History of Periods:Vagina Museum Period Exhibition Print](data:image/png;base64,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)

Illustrator Hazel Mead created A Brief History of Periods to teach about menstruation throughout history.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-brief-history-of-periods-vagina-museum-period-exhibition-print)

[ResourcesRead

## A Menstrual Expert's Surprising Tips On How To Talk About Your Period

An interview with Dr. Inga Winkler about menstrual stigma – what it is, how it is perpetuated, and ways to combat it.

![A Menstrual Expert's Surprising Tips On How To Talk About Your Period](data:image/png;base64,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)

An interview with Dr. Inga Winkler about menstrual stigma – what it is, how it is perpetuated, and ways to combat it.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-menstrual-experts-surprising-tips-on-how-to-talk-about-your-period)

[ResourcesRead

## Aging & Inequity

Economic insecurity and inequity magnify over time for many women, especially marginalized women. What policies could address this problem?

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Economic insecurity and inequity magnify over time for many women, especially marginalized women. What policies could address this problem?](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/aging-and-inequity)

[ResourcesRead

## Aging In Place as a Low-Income Older Person with Disabilities

This article offers a discussion of aging in place for 12 low-income, older homeowners with disabilities in Baltimore, Maryland.

![wheelchair-centre-for-ageing-better-5r43tf-_Jy0](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAFBklEQVRIiWVWXdLkuA0jQLq/3fvfIm85RW600y2RQB5k90wqahbL5bYI/ogU8O9//QcIMjKRhauijs5ImjBDsGLG0+5Wt3o0LY2tCAeNAi/wRb6YV+aLrESBBB1h3xK2IyLCEefhLNsOf9/7fHee4myx/9j2VY4oSwF8Mf4U2QjfRmzLPlq2JctW2IGQg36cvH8BR0TU2DiOEzQkS5BCCIYFRyikkCxpdK+RJFsBAwEhJAiwn3BvrJoZIByICQAgKFAhxIQDdgiSR9ZobpkZS/YYRgTBSMCAQeMBMQK1Z4Cg4QgAJAgQgZNYGCFoPKMezahndh8YhwKGg7DFECDIoOmTtnDtbgBk2AgggKPu4sLwQPK0urV7jjwAgOFI0pOYgEBDFo2wHa61GwgmDsC9ntPDMKzQeI71PUf3EwFNI8ErjQoIFGjJYABWfXYDkQoZ52V8A6DzAVC39u7dvfas3d13BAwKBbocExykKMumLATrvTcQKbyMODk6aXKY1gGYVvfs7rX2Z/fas3s0tpCRhphR5itSTDHvSoQc9WstApUh0wGAd5b8jWA8M7tn7f3Z+7P3Wr16ph1iRZpixWU0snljWDLgqPfaQFRBJgL8DYAngnHP7N17r7X3Z63P2mtPtyFUXE6l4mU2alhDiRJt2FH/rE3GJdgESIJkAgyEgyFo1DPde+219uez1nutz+puh3hFO1WD5dy4Jns4SokSwKhfexHoQgRJZjLJJBkIOsOnwn0KvPZn7fd7rffavRWTjSvo68WfuJq785oc9YgpQK5/1k5gDIKZeWVe6RnPKXQ4NDNzkrR2fz77/VnvX5+9t2J4xQ8SL+eK185X50zNpDQSoKhfuxOhYJJXusszOeMheIbimT0Hox+M9/p81rjzJyYLP66Fn53d1bN7csT5AhQD4CuzrxhhDDlkyoFwnAEqjzyj7lmr35/9/rVaOydUnX/5Z3N37d7dNdMzpwxRn+kxkm4d67Jxz+kzcX3fB7JH7tHuWZ9+/1p7NiVfdf0dn8W1a/fVcx2AGYJRe2SjM0Y4A99/3DWIiHs04WDJHmn3fD792Yse/PRrxd8793517+49UzMltcbVEgCdS8HfbsbTERFBPP0XuIfsSHvPeu9w8+/8a2Hv2r16XjPd05qeIRB1roVzI/weFARPT5wkJb/rjHJHSNp7Ivb69NrY+zrud++5s0QiihFn+hMgQOLugyQTeSKSfjfI0yYBe2aie0dv9r661/Se6eme6WkSUUUUUEQCSRxfbzvJL0BlVlVlZmXefyMQnpnWNGf29J7+Wh/VDFEXULzlbKzksVMPAOwpZWVeWZV1ZV1ZxcyYdsyo9/RW98zWXYCeIRl1JS7iIitvyWTlWUwipIiomqq6qqqyKq8r62JdGDk8FjS39dv9mZkhUYcjXcmLLLKYlZnJYyhPcWzdpuu6juT1yuvFHjAcGqutPu4fGE2KqCtZRPG3+8nb+8xMRBiwNVmP+ydF15XXlXshYHhC7Ydz6OEfQ9RFVLISRSbzru0XgwFjHJlzKnxgrm+WimYgDnEa67F+yNOgincESSZxn8bfGmGEfWryzV4W6xY8zFD2WGPJOiRKpuo+POB9RsH/XYDPTXG78GBnPikNnzGikOxj/eZ9kngzreeqfIgXQD4D4o8uvpGQ5znPVwD+oMWW/+Cyhbh53MOIfnOjL0XC/y9+Td+D8PBnP/rhqP4vKrBWrgjJ5AwAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)

This article offers a discussion of aging in place for 12 low-income, older homeowners with disabilities in Baltimore, Maryland.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/aging-in-place-as-a-low-income-older-person-with-disabilities)

[ResourcesRead

## Causes and Consequences of the Black Wealth Gap

Fact sheet from the National Partnership for Women & Families that highlights the intersectional causes of the Black wealth gap.

![vanessa-loring-5082949](data:image/png;base64,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)

Fact sheet from the National Partnership for Women & Families that highlights the intersectional causes of the Black wealth gap.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/fact-sheet-causes-and-consequences-of-the-black-wealth-gap)

[ResourcesRead

## FAQs for Teens: Your First Period

These FAQs answer many questions young teens may have about periods, including “What is puberty?” “How often will I get my period?” “How do I choose a tampon?”

![FA Qs for Teens Your First Period scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

These FAQs answer many questions young teens may have about periods, including “What is puberty?” “How often will I get my period?” “How do I choose a tampon?”](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/faqs-for-teens-your-first-period)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Female, Elderly and Poor

A short Canadian documentary in which four older women discuss their working lives, caring for partners, and their current experiences of living in poverty.

![Pexels mart production homeless older woman scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

A short Canadian documentary in which four older women discuss their working lives, caring for partners, and their current experiences of living in poverty.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/female-elderly-and-poor)

[ResourcesRead

## The Social Determinants of Health in Breast Cancer Care

A survey of community-based, organizational, and clinical barriers to care demonstrates that life stressors impact treatment and health outcomes, something holistic practitioners have known for a very long time.

![African American mother covering face while sitting by unpaid bills, children playing behind her at home.](data:image/png;base64,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)

A survey of community-based, organizational, and clinical barriers to care demonstrates that life stressors impact treatment and health outcomes, something holistic practitioners have known for a very long time.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/social-determinants-breast-cancer-care)