Power Over Periods

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How can I help?

At Periods Over Poverty, we invite you to donate sanitary products to your local sanitary bins or online in shops like Boots, Superdrug and Tesco. You can also directly support Always' goal to end period poverty through their website or by sharing the word on social media.

You can even make your own 'emergency period packs' including a day and night pads, tampons, and wipes - which can be donated to your local food bank or homeless charity. If you are planning to donate, keep the products in their original packaging as most banks or charities will not accept opened packages.

If you can, aim to donate items like night pads, pads for heavy flow and postpartum pads as they are in lower supply but are still greatly needed.

Period Poverty

Period poverty is defined as a 'lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints.' This can include people who are homeless or otherwise below the poverty line, or people who simply don't have the income to spend on sanitary products.

The average person who menstruates may spend as much as £18,000 on sanitary products such as pads and tampons in their lifetime. Some people who cannot afford this may use toilet roll or socks in place of sanitary products when they are on their period. They could even be forced to skip school or work while they are menstruating.
For teenagers, this will negatively affect their education. It is unfair that young people have to miss lessons due to an uncontrollable biological function. Over 137,000 children missed school lessons due to lack of sanitary products in the UK in 2017.

Period poverty is cyclical, as teenagers who miss days of education due to not being able to afford sanity products may not be offered the same opportunities as other students due to a gap in education. This is why it is important to provide access to free menstrual products across the population.

As of 2019, the NHS committed to providing free sanitary products to people in hospitals, and Scotland has made period products accessible for free in public places such as youth groups, schools, and universities as of 2021. The 'Package for Sandy' campaign hosted by Morrisons intends to supply those facing period poverty the products they need in a discreet way, which helps people who may be embarrassed that they cannot afford sanitary products.

Still, more can be done for those who face period poverty in the UK - here's how you can help.

Tampon Tax/Pink Tax

The 'tampon tax' refers to the 5% minimum tax on sanitary products which was abolished in the UK in January 2021. However, the luxury tax on sanitary products is still pervasive in some countries, and the majority of states in the USA.

'Pink tax' is not actually a tax. It is a phrase which describes how products marketed towards women, in general, cost more than those which are marketed towards men.

Even if you argue that women could just buy men's products, it doesn't change how women are taken advantage of commercially.

"Package for Sandy"

Started by Morrisons, this campaign helps those across the country who are facing period poverty by giving out free sanitary products to those who need them in a discreet way.

Each package for Sandy contains two sanitary towels. Power Over Periods aims to contact other shops in the UK start similar campaigns, and to create our own packages with more diverse options such as day and night pads, postpartum pads, tampons, and wipes.

Physical Health

Endometriosis

This is a condition where tissues similar to the uterine lining begin to grow elsewhere in the abdomen. Symptoms include lower back pain, severe pain or cramps during your period which prevents activities, and pain during bowel movements while on your period - caused by these tissues 'gluing' your organs together.
'Severe pain' is when it is difficult to think or talk, walk around, get dressed or sleep.
This can affect anyone who menstruates, and is more likely to develop if a family member also has endometriosis.

It is often misdiagnosed as appendicitis in its first appearance and IBS in later appointments, and it takes an average of 7.5 years to get diagnosed with endometriosis.

If you have symptoms of endometriosis, make an appointment with your GP - especially if the symptoms- greatly affect your life or if a family member also has endometriosis.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Also known as PCOS, this hormonal disorder is characterised by irregular ovulation and symptoms include difficulty getting pregnant, excess facial or body hair, hair loss on the head, oily skin or acne, mood swings, and irregular or no periods. This is due to the higher insulin levels in the body, which contributes to excess testosterone levels and activity. However some people have PCOS and do not experience any of these symptoms.

The disorder is associated with higher risk of developing heart disease or type two diabetes. Medicines are available to treat excessive hair growth and missing periods, and fertility medicines or a simple surgical procedure may be used to improve fertility rates for those with PCOS.

Vaginismus

This is the body's automatic reaction to the fear of vaginal penetration. It is characterised by contraction of the vagina when insertion is attempted - you have no control over it. It can be scary and upsetting, but it is treatable.

This may make inserting a tampon or having sex difficult. If you suspect you have vaginismus, seek advice from your doctor or GP.

Vaginismus can be but isn't always caused by a previous unpleasant sexual experience. It can also happen due to conservative education, anxiety, or a painful medical condition such as thrush.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

This condition is potentially life threatening and caused by an excess of bacteria entering the body and releasing toxins. This often is a result of the usage of tampons but can be occur in other ways.

Only around 1 in 50000 people who go through menstruation will contract TSS, however the signs should not be ignored and precautions should be taken if possible.

This can be caused through damage to the vaginal wall, often when tampons are left in for too long, or when super absorbent tampons expand too much and stick to the lining which can peel off during removal. Bacteria, such as Staphylococcus Aureus, can enter these lacerations and emit toxins into the body.

Symptoms of TSS can occur suddenly - often during or just after menstruation - and can include vomiting, diarrhea, a sunburn-like rash, a drop in blood pressure, muscular aches and pains, headaches, sore throat, bloodshot eyes, confusion, and peeling of the skin on the palms and soles. Any combination of these symptoms should not be ignored as they can lead to shock, kidney and liver failure, and potentially death.

If a combination of these symptoms are noticed, you should call 111 immediately, or if the symptoms are severe, you should call 999 - or visit your nearest accident and emergency department.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

This is an infection of the reproductive organs including the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and cervix.

Although this can sometimes be a result of developing an STI, this is only the case around 1/4 of the time. PID can also be caused through bacteria already present entering into other parts of the body, often through the cervix. Any damage or opening of the cervix, such as through child birth or procedures such as application of a IUD.

While there can often be no symptoms present with someone who has this condition. However, when symptoms are present they may include; lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, fever, burning with urination, pain with sex, bleeding after sex, or irregular menstruation.

As there is no one bacteria that causes PID, it is often treated using several antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Although PID is usually not too dangerous, it is important for anyone to seek treatment early to reduce the risk of complications such as tissue scarring which can, in some cases lead to issues such as infertility.

PID cannot always be prevented, despite this, practising safe sex, following good hygiene and getting any routine tests, screenings and checkups are always advised.

Mental Health

Premenstrual Syndrome

Characterised by mood swings, cravings, and depression, PMS is the most well known aspect of the emotional effect of menstruation. Symptoms can also include irritability, tiredness or trouble sleeping, bloating and breast tenderness, headaches, oily skin or hair, and changes in sex drive.

Sometimes PMS is used to ridicule those who menstruate, especially to discredit women who are angry or upset as they are 'just on their period.' It is even sometimes used as 'evidence' that people who menstruate are irrational. In reality, PMS is due to a hormonal change similar to puberty, just on a smaller scale.

It is normal to experience symptoms of PMS and you can help manage PMS symptoms by exercising, eating a balanced diet, getting a healthy amount of sleep, and generally reducing stress.

However, if these things do not improve your PMS symptoms, or if your symptoms interfere with your life, for example causing depression, anxiety, disordered eating, or suicidal thoughts, you may be experiencing PMDD.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

This includes more severe symptoms of PMS which have a greater impact on your quality of life.

Symptoms include cramps, headaches and joint pain which interferes with your day to day life, disordered or binge eating, trouble sleeping, and mental and emotional effects such as heightened anxiety, depression, and in some cases suicidal thoughts.

It is important to see a medical professional if any of the symptoms around your period interfere with your quality of life. If you feel you need urgent advice, you can call your GP for an emergency appointment, call 111 out of hours, or call a helpline such as Samaritans (116 123). If you are in crisis, call 999 or visit your local accident and emergency centre.

You can also make a self referral for your mental health on the NHS website. If you are going to see a GP for mental health issues related to your cycle, it is good to keep a diary of your symptoms for at least two to three months.

Gender Dysphoria

Some people do not identify with their birth gender, so menstruation can be an uncomfortable subject to talk about or to go through. At Power Over Periods, we recognise the importance of using gender neutral function first language to include the trans and nonbinary umbrella, as they are often overlooked in terms of menstrual and reproductive health.

For young people experiencing gender dysphoria, it may be difficult to live as your experienced gender. You can find resources about why you feel this way and what you can do to lessen these feelings online. Anyone experiencing gender dysphoria can go to their GP for a referral to the Gender Identity Development Service for a range of support.

Unfortunately, gender dysphoria treatments are not readily available in the UK for young people. Going through puberty or living as a young adult in a body you do not feel comfortable in can cause significant distress. If you are suffering from anxiety, depression, or otherwise finding life difficult due to gender dysphoria, speak to a medical professional. You do not have to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria for a GP or therapist to help you with negative thoughts and emotions caused by it.