From Infections to Infertility: The Health Risks of Period Poverty

Most people don't think twice about having access to menstrual products each month — but for some, getting these products isn't easy. The inability to afford or acquire these essential hygiene supplies is known as period poverty, and it affects millions globally— including the United States. Social stigma, missed school or work, and general discomfort are often associated with period poverty, but it can also lead to serious health problems that may have lasting effects.

How menstrual products work                                                                                         

Menstrual products are designed to collect and draw moisture away from the skin. In order for them to work properly they need to be changed or cleaned regularly.

Product	How It Works	Change Frequency	Hygiene Maintenance
Pads/Pantyliners	Adhere to underwear and use super-absorbent materials to draw moisture away from skin	3-6 hrs	Disposable — change based on flow. No rinsing or washing required.
Period underwear & reusable cloth pads	Multi-layer fabric with a moisture-wicking top layer, absorbent core, and outer leak-proof barrier.	4-12 hrs	Rinse immediately after use; wash within 24 hours. Reusable across cycles.
Tampons	Tightly compressed medical-grade cotton or rayon inserted into vagina to absorb fluid before it exits the body.	4-8 hrs	Disposable — change based on flow. Do not leave in longer than 8 hours
Menstrual Cups & Discs	Flexible medical-grade silicone or rubber, folded and inserted into the vagina. Catches and collects fluid rather than absorbing it	Up to 12 hrs	Empty, wash with mild soap, and reinsert. Between cycles, sanitize by boiling in water. Reusable long-term.

What Can Go Wrong                                                                                                                          

When people cannot easily afford menstrual products, they often use them for longer than recommended or turn to inadequate substitutes like rags, newspapers, socks, or toilet paper. These practices create abnormally moist environments that significantly increase the risk of skin irritation and infections, such as yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV), urinary tract infections (UTIs), or toxic shock syndrome (TSS). If these conditions become recurring or are left untreated, they can lead to severe health complications and lasting medical consequences.

Long Lasting Effects                                                                                                             

When treatment for certain infections is neglected, the responsible bacteria can travel from the vagina into the upper reproductive organs—including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries—causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This condition can lead to painful abscesses that risk turning into severe, life-threatening infections. Over time, PID can scar and damage the fallopian tubes, triggering lifelong chronic pelvic pain. This scar tissue can also block the tubes entirely; if a fertilized egg cannot reach the uterus, it can implant in the fallopian tube, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy—a medical emergency. Ultimately, the tissue damage caused by PID can prevent pregnancy altogether, leading to infertility.

The Bottom Line                                                                                                                                

Menstrual products are not luxury items; they are a basic health need that protects half of the US population from infections and long-term health problems and should be treated as such.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed do not represent those of any employers or organizations associated with the author. 

References

Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594 

Sacca L, Markham CM, Gupta J, Peskin M. Editorial: Period poverty. Front Reprod Health. 2023 Feb 7;5:1140981. doi: 10.3389/frph.2023.1140981. Erratum in: Front Reprod Health. 2023 Nov 20;5:1308137. doi: 10.3389/frph.2023.1308137. PMID: 36825206; PMCID: PMC9941660.

Samantaray SR, Parida S, Mohapatra I. Connecting the dots: Exploring the relationship between menstrual hygiene and bacterial vaginosis in eastern India. J Family Med Prim Care. 2024 Oct;13(10):4451-4456. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_431_24. Epub 2024 Oct 18. PMID: 39629382; PMCID: PMC11610884.

Tara Conti, MSN, RN, FNP-BC

Apex resident, Tara Conti has worked for past ten years as a nurse practitioner in the gynecology clinic at NC State Campus Health Center. She adds a unique perspective on how limited access to health education and resources has negative impact on daily life.

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Menstrual Equity Is Everyone’s Responsibility: Why Men Must Be Part of the Movement to End Period Poverty

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Infection	Common Symptoms	Primary Complications if Untreated
Yeast Infection	Thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge; intense itching.	Severe tissue irritation; rare systemic spread unless immunocompromised.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)	Thin, grayish discharge with a strong fishy odor; sometimes no symptoms at all.	Increased vulnerability to STIs; pelvic inflammatory disease; pregnancy complications (preterm birth).
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)	Urgent, painful urination; pelvic pain; cloudy or dark urine.	Kidney infection (pyelonephritis); permanent kidney damage; sepsis.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)	Sudden high fever; sunburn-like rash; rapid drop in blood pressure.	Shock; multi-organ failure; high mortality rate. (Medical Emergency)