Why women's periods should be free?

The case for free tampons and pads in schools Activists say menstrual products are a basic necessity that shouldn't require a long walk to the school nurse's office, and that providing them is key to removing the stigma of periods.

Why periods should be free?

Offering free and accessible period products can help people who menstruate save upwards of $5,000 in their lifetimes, reduces stress on women's shelters, and reduces waste — especially if the products provided are eco-friendly!

Why is period poverty important?

Period poverty can lead to physical health problems. Without access to pads or tampons, girls may resort to using dirty rags or leaves during their periods. This can cause infections and other medical problems, especially in countries where female genital mutilation (FGM) still takes place.

Should period products be free in schools?

So experts say that's a good place to start – stocking every school bathroom or health center with free menstrual supplies. "Tampons and pads should be treated just like toilet paper, because in fact, they are just like toilet paper," Kramer says.

Why we should keep the tampon tax?

Keeping the “tampon tax” could help the government to avoid having the one-size-fits-all type of policy on the people in need and also provide more social equity for the people who need more support.

Why Menstrual Products Should be Free

Who benefits from repealing tampon taxes?

We find evidence consistent with this prediction: relative to consumer prices in control states on the East Coast, consumer prices in New Jersey decreased by 7.3 percent after the repeal of the 6.9 percent sales tax on menstrual hygiene products. The results suggest that the tax break was fully enjoyed by consumers.

What was the original purpose of a tampon?

In some places, tampons were used as contraceptives, and Schultz cites a 1776 report from a French doctor that describes a tampon made from tightly rolled, vinegar-soaked linen that was used to stem the flow of hemorrhage and leucorrhea (non-menstrual vaginal discharge).

How do free periods benefit students?

Free time gives students the opportunity to play and experiment. It gives them a break from their daily pressures and allows them to incorporate what they learned into their everyday activities and social connections. Using free time as an educational tool might seem a bit counter intuitive.

Why pads and tampons should be free in schools?

We need to give all U.S. students the best opportunity to learn and thrive. 1 in 4 students who menstruate experienced period poverty in 2021 (up from 1 in 5 in 2019). We know that without period products, these students are more likely to miss school.

Is period poverty lack of education?

Menstrual inequity is an undeniable driver of school absenteeism — but that's not all. Stigma (that fuels teasing from classmates), inadequate bathroom (WASH) facilities and shame also negatively impact menstruators' participation in school, and lead to worse overall educational outcomes.

Are pads healthier than tampons?

Studies show that the risk of developing TSS is lower in women who use menstrual pads, than in women who use tampons.

Why do we need periods?

A period releases the tissue that grew to support a possible pregnancy. It happens after each menstrual cycle in which a pregnancy doesn't occur — when an egg hasn't been fertilized and/or attached itself to the uterine wall. The uterus then sheds the lining which had grown to receive a fertilized egg.

What are the risks of not having a period?

These include: Infertility and problems with pregnancy. If you don't ovulate and don't have menstrual periods, you can't become pregnant. When hormone imbalance is the cause of amenorrhea, this can also cause miscarriage or other problems with pregnancy.

Why should you not stop your period?

Stopping your period, also known as period suppression, is a matter of personal choice, says Dr. Roger Pierson, director of research in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Saskatchewan. “There is no known benefit [to stopping your period], but there's also no known health risk,” he says.

Are there health benefits to periods?

The hormones your body produces over the course of your monthly cycle come with their own non-reproductive health benefits. Women have a lower risk of heart disease and strokes before menopause because of estrogen! Estrogen provides you with two weeks of “significantly reduced” blood pressure during your cycle.

Why should boys be taught about periods?

Teaching boys how periods and the menstrual cycle works helps them better understand the importance and practicalities of safe sex and contraception, which could help prevent unwanted pregnancies when they are older. It will also better equip them for understanding problems and issues that can be experienced.

How many people are affected by period poverty?

500 million people lack access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities. 16.9 million people who menstruate in the US are living in poverty.

What are the cons of using tampons?

Should periods be taught in school?

"All children should be taught about hormones and periods at an early age. Body literacy (understanding the way bodies function) is an empowering experience for people. People who understand how the body works tend to feel more connected, comfortable and at ease with themselves.

How do you use free periods effectively?

Do schools teach about periods?

“We do not have any type of evidence-based menstrual curriculum in the U.S.,” Sterling says, explaining that what girls and boys are taught about periods is “very localized,” and varies further by district and even by school.

Who was the first woman to use a tampon?

While Dr. Earle Haas patented the first modern tampon in 1931, tampons had been used for thousands of years prior to that by women across the globe. The Papyrus Ebers, the world's oldest printed medical document, describes the use of papyrus tampons by Egyptian women as early as the 15th century BCE.

Were tampons created by a man?

In 1931, Earl Haas invented the menstrual tampon most commonly used in the twenty-first century. Later, Gertrude Tendrich produced the first commercial tampon brand, Tampax, using Haas's patented design.

Did a man or woman invent tampons?

The U.S., 1933: You can thank Dr. Earle Haas of Denver, Colorado, for patenting the first cotton tampon with an applicator in 1933. Most women in the U.S. at the time used sanitary pads — though makeshift tampons were popular around the world, they didn't take off in the U.S. until Haas came along.

What would happen if citizens stopped paying taxes?

If you still refrain from paying, the IRS obtains a legal claim to your property and assets ("lien") and, after that, can even seize that property or garnish your wages ("levy"). In the most serious cases, you can even go to jail for up to five years for committing tax evasion.