What Is Period Poverty — And Why Does It Matter?
Period poverty refers to the lack of consistent access to basic hygiene needs during menstruation. This covers items such as pads, tampons, underwear, extra clothes, and even clean bathrooms. Due to the cultural stigma surrounding menstruation, period poverty is not often talked about leaving many people ignorant to the harm it causes. In North Carolina, 1 in 4 menstruators are left missing school or work due to lack of menstrual supplies. In addition to missing out, it can also lead to physical and mental hardships as well. Although local data is extremely limited, the national research helps shed light on how common and harmful this issue is and why community-based solutions matter.
What Is Menstrual Health?
Menstrual health is the state of complete health in all areas during the time of menstruation. These areas include physical, mental/emotional, and social (Hennegan et al., 2023). Because it affects so many aspects of life, period poverty is about so much more than simply the cost of menstrual supplies. It also includes limited access to clean restrooms, safe disposal options, and reliable information about menstrual health. Social stigma surrounding menstruation can further prevent people from asking for help or advocating for their needs. These barriers often intersect with broader issues such as income insecurity, housing instability, and gaps in health education.
How is Period Poverty affecting North Carolina?
While state- or county-level data is scarce, The Alliance for Period Supplies has provided a fact sheet for North Carolina. Here is a breakdown:
In North Carolina, 1 in 6 women and girls are living 100% below the poverty line
67% of female students in grades 7 through 12 attend Title I schools
20 states in the US place what is known as a “pink tax” on period supplies; North Carolina is one of them.
These findings highlight that while period poverty is a global issue, it is also affecting the members of our communities.
Why Period Poverty Often Goes Unnoticed
Menstruation Stigma
The stigma surrounding menstruation has been on the rise since 2023 and more people are feeling the effects of it. Everyone who menstruates is negatively affected by this stigma, but women and girls of color are disproportionately affected. The shame women and girls feel to hide a completely natural process can discourage them from speaking about it and reaching out for help. (Thinx & PERIOD., 2025)
Limited Local Data
Because period poverty is under-researched at the local level, its impact can be difficult to quantify within individual communities. However, community organizations frequently observe unmet needs that mirror national trends.
Why This Matters at the Community Level
Even without local statistics, the current research reflects similar patterns seen in communities across our state: people often manage period care quietly and without support. Community-based organizations play a critical role in addressing these gaps by providing access in ways that are respectful, discreet, and stigma-free.
At Her Power Project, the focus is on dignity-centered, community-driven solutions — meeting people where they are and ensuring that care is accessible without judgment.
Solutions
Addressing period poverty requires a combination of approaches, including:
A community effort to ensure needs are being met by all
Education that normalizes menstruation and reduces stigma
Policies that recognize menstrual products as basic necessities
Together, these efforts help create environments where menstruation does not limit participation, confidence, or opportunity.
Period poverty is often invisible, but its effects are deeply personal. When access to menstrual care is limited, people experience unnecessary barriers to education, work, and well-being. By raising awareness and supporting thoughtful, community-based solutions, we can help ensure that managing a period is never a source of shame or hardship — but a supported part of everyday life.
References
Alliance for Period Supplies. (2025, April). North Carolina state fact sheet on period poverty. https://allianceforperiodsupplies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/North-Carolina.pdf
Hennegan, J., Winkler, I. T., Bobel, C., Keiser, D., Hampton, J., Larsson, G., … Plesons, M. (2023). Menstrual health: A definition for policy, practice, and research. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 29(1), 1911618. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2021.1911618
Thinx & PERIOD. (2025). State of the period: The widespread impact of period poverty on students in the U.S. https://period.org/uploads/2025-State-of-the-Period-Study.pdf
United States of Women. (2023). Period poverty in the United States. https://usow.org/period-poverty/