Period Poverty

For the average person who menstruates for 40 years, they will spend about $13 a month on period products; over the years, that totals up to roughly $6000 without tax.

The Connecticut General Assembly is attempting to help lighten that cost by requiring public schools to supply a range of menstrual products in the school’s restrooms. The legislation was passed back in 2022, and the main goal of the bill is to reduce period poverty. Period poverty refers to a lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene management, menstrual health education, waste facilities, etc. 

According to Thinx & PERIOD, roughly 51% of students have expressed that they feel like their schools don’t care about them because they don’t provide access to free menstrual products. Period poverty doesn’t just affect women and girls in impoverished communities but also women and girls in wealthy, industrialized communities.

Students and families of all ages struggle with period poverty. Between 2019 and 2021, period poverty in teenagers ages 13-19 went from 20% to 23%. More than ⅓ of parents worry about their ability to afford period products. 

Benefit programs, such as programs that provide food stamps and Medicaid, do not help cover the cost of period products, and “one in five American students have missed school due to lack of period protection.” 

Destigmatize

Providing the dispensers in the bathrooms is part of an attempt to destigmatize periods and menstruation. Providing a positive message surrounding menstruation can help reduce feelings of embarrassment and shame that many people who menstruate feel. Reducing these feelings helps students feel more confident and safe at school. The stigma around periods comes from a lack of knowledge and education about the topic. It characterizes those who menstruate as “abnormal and abject.” Failing to educate about periods and menstruation leads to further issues with stigmatizing and bullying. Periods are seen as “messy” by society, causing those who menstruate to feel insecure and shameful about their periods. “Menstruation is shrouded in stigma and shame—that is the common refrain in burgeoning initiatives on menstrual health and hygiene.” 

Availability

Schools are responsible for setting the tone for discussion about menstrual equity, menstruation, and period poverty in a positive, inclusive manner. The products should be available for students to take as needed, discreetly and independently. The new law states that schools are required to include the dispensers in all women’s rooms, any all-gender bathrooms, and at least one men’s room per school. “A one-page flyer should be posted in a visible location in every bathroom. Schools may use the DPH templates or create their own. This flyer should be tailored to the suitable age range (DPH offers templates at two reading levels, elementary level and middle/high school level) and should specify the obligation to provide a range of products free of charge in a safe and private location.” The flyer should include the name and contact information for the staff member named as the coordinator for each school. 

The Morgan School does not currently have flyers of any type hung up. In a public-access PDF provided by the Department of Public Health, there are examples of flyers that can be printed out and posted. The Department of Public Health recommends providing pads and tampons in multiple size and absorbency options. Although it’s only a suggestion, Morgan only provides one size for both tampons and pads. 

It’s understandable if schools lack the budget to provide multiple variations of products; however, the state of Connecticut offers funding to schools to supply products. “Per statute, schools are permitted to accept donations of monies or in kind to support compliance with the menstrual equity requirements under Connecticut state law. Schools may choose to collaborate with community partners in securing and defraying the costs of supplying products, and a list of such resources is included in the period poverty resources section for educators in this document .”

Since Morgan only provides one size, when menstruation is not “one size fits all”, and not all the dispensers are consistently filled, Mrs. O’Beirn, the school counseling department secretary also keeps a supply of menstrual products at her desk in the guidance suite, for anyone who might need anything. O’Beirn says the Kindess Club at Morgan provides her with some products to give out. However, she still brings in products she buys, so students can have multiple options of varying quality and size.

The menstrual product dispensers were installed at Morgan in the fall of this year; before that, students would have to ask their friends, the nurse, or a teacher for products if they didn’t have any on hand. “I have seen the numbers go down.” says O’Beirn when asked if there’s been a difference in how many people have come to her in need of a pad or tampon. She mentions how there are still a decent number of students who come to her in need; either they forget about the dispensers or are more comfortable asking her than using the machine.

Coordinator

The coordinator is responsible for serving as a contact person for any concerns regarding restocking, developing engagement, tracking usage, and responding to any student concerns. They are responsible for making sure janitorial staff, school administrators, and operations managers are aware of the goals and implementations of the legislation. The coordinator is also responsible for maintaining communication with staff to ensure adequate supplies are continually available, as required by law. 

According to Mrs. Hagness, The Morgan School principal, the coordinator for Morgan is Mr. Smith, the head custodian. “He goes and checks on the dispensers, as far as do we need to order them (more products).” Hagness says both she and Mr. Luther, the assistant principal at Morgan, monitor the dispensers, “it’s not a one-point person, but kind of a trio.” Hagness says the dispensers are checked at the beginning and end of the week; however, on Friday, March 7, Monday, March 10, and again on Friday, March 14, the dispensers in the third floor bathroom at Morgan were consistently empty.

Brands

There are a couple of options for coin-free dual product dispensers, including Aunt Flow, Evogen, Wildflower, Flow, and Uline. Some dispensers are specific to certain brands, so schools should carefully consider when researching options and alternative ways to stock products. Schools should be sure they have a system in place to ensure all dispensers are consistently stocked, and each bathroom where products are dispensed should have small trash receptacles with disposable liners. It is recommended that the trash receptacles are in each stall for privacy and accessibility. However, schools can collaborate with their students for a provision of reusable products. If schools do decide to include reusable products, it is very strongly recommended that students should have access to education on the safe use of these products.

Basic Facts About Periods

The length of a menstrual cycle can vary from 21-40 days, but the typical cycle lasts about 28 days. Within the cycle, an average period lasts about 5 days, but can range from 2-7 days, though younger menstruators often have an irregular cycle. Disposable pads and tampons should be changed every 4-6 hours, though heavier flows require more frequent changes. Approximately 50% of students, sixth grade and up menstruate, although menstruation between grades 3-6 is uncommon, early onset menstruation is increasing.