Menstruating while facing homelessness

 When we hear about homelessness and the struggles that homeless people go through, we often hear about the lack of food, water, shelter, and clean spaces. Still, we don’t hear about menstruating homeless people and the difficulties that come with it. There are over 216,000 homeless women in America, and many have to deal with not having the right products used when menstruating. Not only do they lack the products, but they also don’t have access to showers or places where they can clean up after themselves during their periods. In order to get by, many women use the materials they have in order to absorb the blood, which oftentimes is just socks or tissue paper that can be found in public restrooms. There is already a narrative that menstruating is “gross” or “dirty,” so shame is already associated with being on your period. And if not treating your period correctly in a comfortable and private space, it could lead to poor hygiene. Poor hygiene as a result of using whatever is at hand, it could often lead to Urinary tract infections or yeast infections. 

Not having to access to sanitary products is already difficult on its own, but with menstruation, there is also pain and uncomfortability. Women could also lack access to medication or heating pads to reduce the pain that comes during their period. Another danger from a lack of period products could be toxic shock syndrome from women wearing a tampon for too long. This could be an ordinary reality for many women experiencing homelessness due to the  lack of access they have to these products. 

There are ways countries have begun to create more accessible ways to get feminine products. Making feminine products free in public bathrooms are one of the ways in countries like Scotland. Other countries also have begun projects in order to give every homeless woman or low-income woman access to free feminine hygiene products. 

“Around the world, on any given day, more than 800 million people are menstruating.  And at least five million of those lack adequate resources-including supplies, education, and facilities-for managing their periods” 

https://www.helpingwomenperiod.org/#:~:text=Helping%20Women%20Period%20is%20a,long%20way%20to%20purchasing%20products.

“In 35 States, menstrual hygiene products are taxed. The Period Projects works with local, state and federal officials to provide information, seek support and lobby for change.”

https://periodproject.org/

If you’re interested in getting involved, you can donate to these places. 

Resources: 

Farmer, L. (2021, April 21). Menstruating while homeless: An ignored, inescapable issue. Governing. Retrieved May 4, 2023, from https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-homeless-women-georgia-fells-femme.html

Menstruation and homelessness. how do women cope? Menstruation and homelessness. How do women cope? | Simon on the Streets. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2023, from https://simononthestreets.co.uk/news/menstruation-homelessness-how-do-women-cope#:~:text=Many%20people%20report%20'making%20do,as%20a%20makeshift%20sanitary%20pad

Posted on January 22, 2021 B. K. (2021, January 22). Female homelessness and period poverty - national organization for women. National Organization for Women -. Retrieved May 4, 2023, from https://now.org/blog/female-homelessness-and-period-poverty/