Isn’t it Time to End Period Poverty?

Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products (aka period products). It also means an inability to access the necessary education and support for good menstrual health. This leads to negative health, social, and economic consequences. There are many contributing factors including cost and stigma. To tackle the period poverty problem, we need to first acknowledge that it exists.

Why Does Period Poverty Matter?

Period poverty affects millions of people globally. Without access to adequate supplies, some resort to using various rags, toilet paper, leaves, children’s diapers, and more. Unfortunately, these unsafe alternatives increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome and other medical concerns. And without proper hygiene practices, this could lead to infections, including urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis.

But due to the high expense, some have to choose between period products or food. Without access to supplies, many miss school or work. And missing time at work often means losing that paycheck. Sources like UNICEF and UN Women estimate between 1.8 and 2 billion people who menstruate. How many experience period poverty?

Unfortunately, there is still a social stigma on menstruation. In some communities, people are separated into menstrual huts to avoid being seen or discussed. Period poverty can lead to feelings of shame, anxiety, and reduced self-esteem. Due to this negative stigma, some are hesitant to ask for help with period products or expenses. Some are even forced into difficult or exploitative situations.

Is Period Poverty a Problem in the USA?

Currently, the U.S. federal government does not tax menstrual products. But there is no law that mandates it or prevents it in the future.

However, many U.S. states and local governments still apply sales tax on them. Period products are often classified as non-essential or luxury items. And in many states, cities and counties can impose an additional local sales tax whether or not the state does. In recent years, several states have been repealing their tampon tax.

According to the recent State of the Period study, period poverty in the United States affects millions. An estimated 16.9 million people who menstruate in the U.S. live in poverty. It impacts nearly 1 in 4 teens. The Policy Project identifies 1 in 4 U.S. students and 1 in 3 adults report difficulty affording period products.

Change Is Slow

Some states do not tax certain items they deem as essential goods. But it is up to each state to determine what is essential. Unfortunately, some states charge the “tampon tax” (ak period tax) to period products as luxury or non-essential items. This is different than the “pink tax” that refers to instances where items marketed to women cost more than the equivalent product marketed to men.

Five states in the U.S.A. – Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon – do not have a statewide sales tax. That means menstrual products were not taxed by default, for now.

For the other 45 states that taxed menstrual products, Minnesota was the first state to stop the tampon tax in 1981. It classified them as health products. And then, it exempted all health products from sales tax. 

Pennsylvania (1991) is the only other state with a period tax that dropped it before the century rolled over. They did it by re-classifying menstrual products like sanitary napkins and tampons as tax-exempt paper goods. Other paper goods like toilet paper and disposable diapers were considered household necessities.

Progress was slow. Only 2 states eliminated their period tax before the turn of the century.

More Work Needed to Eliminate the Tampon Tax

Over the first 20 years of this century, New Jersey (2005), Massachusetts (2013), New York (2016), Illinois (2016), Connecticut (2017), and Ohio (2019) ended their tampon tax. Awareness was minimal.

But since 2020, people are much more vocal. And, legislators finally began to listen. Approximately 15 more states either created temporary or permanent sales tax exemptions for period products. For example, California had a temporary sales tax exemption from 2020 through 2021. It made the exemption permanent in 2021. Louisiana eliminated its tampon tax in June 2021 but scheduled it a year out before it took effect.

In 2020, Virginia reduced its period tax instead of eliminating it entirely. The state initially lowered the tax on menstrual products (and diapers) from its regular sales tax rate to a reduced rate of 2.5%. But in 2023, Virginia removed the state sales tax on certain items, including period products, that were deemed to be essential products.

Alabama passed a temporary sales tax exemption for period products in May 2025. It went into effect on September 1, 2025. But it is scheduled to end in August 2028. Why isn’t it a permanent exemption? If you live in Alabama, push your legislators to make it permanent!

Some people didn’t realize this tampon tax exist. Look it up. Check your state’s Department of Revenue website to see if your state taxes period products. Some states like Illinois has an easy-to-use database of tax rates.

Currently, states with a tampon tax hits us with 4%-7% for period products. How much is that over 30-40 years? Work with your state and federal representatives. Push them to act. Time to eliminate it from all states.

Growing Momentum to End Period Poverty

But just eliminating the period tax is not enough. The cost of the products is still a major barrier. More needs to happen.

As of 2025, at least half of the states and Washington, D.C. have laws requiring free period products in schools. However, the requirements and funding methods vary by state. Some states have set up funding or grant programs to support these initiatives. But some states passed laws without any way to fund the initiative. They expect the local school districts to fund it through their own resources.

In 2022, Washington D.C. passed a law requiring free menstrual products in government-owned buildings. In 2023, Utah became the first U.S. state to offer free period products in all state-owned buildings.

The First Step Act is a bipartisan federal criminal justice bill aimed at reforming federal prisons. It included a requirement for free period products in federal prisons. The act does not specify gender or sex. This effectively apply to all incarcerated who are menstruating.

However, access and cost of period products in state and local correctional facilities varies significantly by state. A number of states have passed legislation mandating that period products be provided to incarcerated inmates at no cost. Some states work with non-profits to distribute products to those in need. But unfortunately, some states still have no requirements or provisions to increase access to period products.

Legislation addressing period poverty in homeless shelters is a more recent development than laws targeting schools or correctional facilities. As a result, the situation is evolving. A handful of states have passed laws requiring free period products in homeless shelters. However, many homeless shelters have to rely on donations or community partnerships to provide these products. 

What About Businesses?

The trend of providing free period products in the workplace is growing. The 2025 Period Positive Workplace Impact Report recognizes that 279 organizations globally in 45 countries are now providing free products. These organizations have become certified as Period Positive Workplaces (PPW) affecting over 290,000 staffers around the world. But this is a very small number in the overall workforce. It is a beginning, not the end.

The report suggests that PPW certification leads to increased employee productivity. Their employees report better peace of mind. The certification helps normalizes menstruation in the workplace and improves health awareness.

If a company does not offer free menstrual products, staff can advocate for it. Even customers and clients can advocate for it. Frame it as an equity and business issue, not a gender issue. Providing essential hygiene items demonstrates a commitment to staff well-being and diversity. Use data and examples from other companies to show that the cost is minimal. It leads to a more satisfied and productive work force. And customers who feel seen are more loyal. Who doesn’t want happier and more loyal staff and customers?

What is the Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2025?

In May 2025, Grace Meng (D-NY) introduced the Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2025. It seeks to end period poverty in the U.S.. It expands access to free and affordable period products.  

The bill requires free menstrual products in federal buildings, immigration detention centers, and prisons. It also requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide free products for their staff. Does this include consultants or vendors on the property?

As of 2020, menstrual products are classified as qualified medical expenses under federal law. This classification allows individuals to use money from HSAs and FSAs, which are pre-tax accounts, to pay for menstrual products.

Even though there is no current federal tax on period products, the act formally prevents any federal sales tax on them. It also requires Medicaid to cover the costs of menstrual products.

The Act also helps low-income families and unhoused people access menstrual supplies through existing federal programs. It also allows states to use federal grant money to provide free products in schools, community colleges, and universities. And, shelters could use existing grant funds to purchase menstrual products for those experiencing homelessness.

States and localities would receive funds through the Social Services Block Grant program to support the free provision of menstrual products. Rep. Meng even included language that any assistance or benefits a family receives through this grant program does not count in determining the family’s eligibility or benefit amount under any other federal needs-based programs.

Additionally, the Act limits the amount of funds that can be used for administrative costs. This is a significant point to prevent the funds being used for everything other than period products to the recipient. The Act also removes any limits on where the products may be distributed.

The Act would also make it unlawful for any U.S. state, Washington D.C., or local government of a state to impose a tax on the retail sale of a menstrual product. That would mean an end to the period tax all across the country.

RPCV Health Crusade supports the Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2025. It is a long time coming. Let’s get this passed. Time to end period poverty in the U.S.A.

What About Peace Corps Volunteers?

The Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2025 does not explicitly mention Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) serving abroad. The bill focuses on providing menstrual products in domestic settings and for specific populations in the United States.

In 2020, Representative Grace Meng introduced the H.R.6118 – Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act legislation. It requires the Peace Corps to create a policy on PCVs’ access to menstrual products either by increasing stipends to cover the cost or providing them directly. The standalone bill was defeated in committee.

In 2021, Rep. Meng (love her!) re-introduced the bill again as H.R.1467 – Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act. But again, the legislation did not make it to the House floor for a vote.

Instead, Congress included language in the Fiscal Year 2021 State/Foreign Operations Appropriations package specific to PCVs’ access to period products. It instructed the Peace Corps to develop a strategy to ensure volunteers have access. However, it did not mandate a specific solution. It also does not guarantee that free menstrual products would be provided to every PCV who uses them. 

Currently, the Peace Corps determines the level of support Peace Corps Volunteers receive for menstrual products. And that support varies by host country. The specific approach is often left to the Peace Corps Country Directors.

PCVs need to ask the Peace Corps to clarify the strategy on period products access for their host country. Is it enough for the PCVs in-country? And, is there an increase in the monthly stipend to cover the additional cost? Or, do PCVs still need their friends and families to send them menstrual supplies (or money) from the U.S.A.?

Time to End Period Poverty

As PCVs and RPCVs, can we help push the Menstrual Equity For All Act across the finish line? And, can we work together as a global community to end period poverty everywhere especially in our beloved host countries. When the availability and visibility of menstrual products go up, will the shame and stigma go down? Challenge and change those harmful social norms. So, will you lead a project or start a movement to help end period poverty in your state or in your host country?