the real cost of periods

On average a person will get a period from age 13-51. This is equal to 456 periods or 2,280 days that someone can be on their period. 🥴

That’s a lot of days and that means a lot of product.

If you choose to free bleed, we see you and LOVE that. 😘 But most people manage their periods with some sort of period product. We’re talking pads, tampons, underwear, cups, discs, pain management medication, birth control, heating pads, hot water bottles, office visits, and more. 

Let’s break down the most affordable finds for all these options:

Period products:🩸

• Pads: $7/box of 36

• Tampons: $7/box of 36

• Period underwear: $12 for 1

• Menstrual Cup: $6 for 1 

• Disposable Menstrual Discs: $20 for 14

• Reusable Menstrual Disc: $10 for 1

• *Tampon tax (taxes placed on all menstrual products as they are considered “luxury items” by the following 27 states: AL, AZ, AR, CO, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MS, MO, NE, NM, NC, ND, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI, WY. Learn more about how you can get involved at period.org and periodequity.org).

Pain management:💊

• OTC medication: $8.99 (Midol 40 capsules)

• Birth control: $0-$50/month (Planned Parenthood)

• Heating pads: $20

• Homemade Hot water bottles/Heating pads: Low to no cost if made at home w/water bottle and cover with a towel or microwave rice in a sock

• Hot Tea and Chocolate: $5/period

Office Visits:📋

• Yearly check-up: Low to No Cost (Planned Parenthood)

• Hormonal balances/treatment: Varies based on needs

• Menstrual Disorder management: Varies based on needs

   

What do you use? Have you found other affordable options? Let us know on our email: menstrualmates@gmail.com or on social media!

Resources

• https://www.periodequity.org/

• https://www.pandiahealth.com/the-true-cost-of-your-period/

• https://psichologyanswers.com/library/lecture/read/421780-why-do-you-eat-chocolate-on-your-period

• https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/who-we-are