---
title: Fighting for the Incarcerated Who Struggle to Find Menstrual Hygiene Products
date: 2022-11-11T20:51:09-05:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-fighting-for-the-incarcerated-who-struggle-to-find-menstrual-hygiene-products"
section: "Stories & Conversations"
---
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[Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Fighting for the Incarcerated Who Struggle to Find Menstrual Hygiene Products

KH addresses her desire to discuss menstrual hygiene and incarceration. She discusses her personal experience using homemade tampons in prison that resulted in a hysterectomy due to toxic shock syndrome. She also discusses her work to pass a menstrual product bill for incarcerated women in Maryland.

## Transcript

**OBOS Today:** So, could you tell me a little bit about why you wanted to talk about menstrual hygiene and incarceration?

**KH:** Well, there's a couple of reasons for that one is just sort of, like, the, the macro eagle eye kind of issue is that over the past couple of years, the issue, the needs, the disparity around the provision of menstrual hygiene products for our incarcerated population has gained a lot of esteem, a lot of attention for a minute there, it was like the sexy, you know issue du jour. And it was something that we worked on here in Maryland. You know, wrote the bill that got it passed in Maryland to make them free and accessible here in Maryland. And so, there's that piece of it, the policy piece that I worked on the campaign that I built around that issue and some of the strategies that we use.

But then the other piece of it, the more personal is that I was acutely aware of the problems with people gaining access to menstrual hygiene products and the quality of them for our incarcerated population because of my own incarceration. So, while I when I was incarcerated, I was in chemo induced menopause so I should have had no need for menstrual hygiene products and I ended up, while I was incarcerated, having three significant major bleeding incidents, and when I tried to find menstrual hygiene products and um—

So I began that navigation, but the long and short term of it is the things that I saw certainly compel me to do the work that I do, but also because of the quality of the products when I came home and because of what I had to do to manage my own menstrual hygiene needs when I was released, I came home and I had to have an emergency hysterectomy because I had Toxic Shock Syndrome from making homemade tampons out of these poor quality state ones.

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

- [ menstrual cycle](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/menstrual-cycle)
- [incarceration](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/incarceration)
- [period poverty](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/period-poverty)
- [menstrual products](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/menstrual-products)

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

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

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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)

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This abolitionist feminist essay articulates how the legal system often criminalizes survivors.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/carceral-feminism-isnt-the-answer-to-sexual-violence)

[ResourcesRead

## Criminalizing Trauma: On Childhood Sexual Abuse and Incarceration of Girls

Vera Institute’s Initiative to End Girls’ Incarceration explains the link between childhood sexual abuse and incarceration of girls, LGBQ/TGNC youth.

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Vera Institute’s Initiative to End Girls’ Incarceration explains the link between childhood sexual abuse and incarceration of girls, LGBQ/TGNC youth.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/criminalizing-trauma-on-childhood-sexual-abuse-and-incarceration-of-girls)

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## Ending Period Shame and Poverty in Asia

Some women in Japan and China are launching businesses, founding organizations, and creating art to combat period stigma and address period poverty.

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Some women in Japan and China are launching businesses, founding organizations, and creating art to combat period stigma and address period poverty.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/ending-period-shame-and-poverty-in-asia)

[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?”

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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)

[ResourcesRead

## How to Clean a Menstrual Cup in a Public Bathroom

This resource includes a step-by-step guide on how to clean a menstrual cup in a public restroom.

![marketing-city-to-sea-QwwK4f0MHvM-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,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)

This resource includes a step-by-step guide on how to clean a menstrual cup in a public restroom.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/how-to-clean-a-menstrual-cup-in-a-public-bathroom)

[ResourcesWatch

## How to Insert a Menstrual Cup

An easy to understand video about how to use a menstrual cup.

![P1210938-01](data:image/png;base64,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)

An easy to understand video about how to use a menstrual cup.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/how-to-insert-a-menstrual-cup)