One in seven women skip meals to buy period products in the South West

A survey from the PHS group found the cost of living crisis is forcing many people in the south west into period poverty

Author: Jess PaynePublished 29th May 2024

A new survey from the PHS Group has found one in seven people (14%) who have periods, skipped a meal in the last 12 months to pay for them.

The region's stats are higher than the UK average of 9%.

More than a thousand women with a menstrual cycle were surveyed for the data, which found the cost of living crisis continues to force women into period poverty.

A similar number also said they have been unable to afford sanitary products at all.

Meanwhile, nearly a fifth in the region (19%) say they’ve had to use something else whilst on their period – other than sanitary products.

Kelly Greenaway, period equality lead at phs Group, said: “It’s important to recognise that huge advances have been made in giving access to free period products in schools and workplaces across the UK.

"It’s quite clear from our latest research that the affordability of period products is still a major issue for far too many, and that the cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated this problem.

"It’s unacceptable in this day and age that anyone is having to choose between meals or tampons, that families are sacrificing spending on other essentials to pay for them, and that many are risking their personal health to save on the cost.”

Kasey Robinson, a menstrual well-being and confidence educator who delivers workshops in schools, colleges and workplaces said: “These figures are more than disappointing, but sadly are not a surprise. Period products are not a luxury.

"We shouldn’t be making the choice between food and period protection. We shouldn’t be using household items or clothes instead of period products.

"We shouldn’t be wearing our period products for longer than recommended.

“Failing to use period products correctly can have life-threatening consequences, these figures highlight a major threat to women’s health on a huge scale.

"We need to come together as a society and tackle the poor access to products; in education, in the workplace, and on a Government level.”

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