Period poverty is an inability to afford or access menstrual hygiene products like menstrual cups, tampons or pads.
Period poverty is a global issue and affects millions of girls and women worldwide.
Causes of period poverty include unemployment, low income or no income and lack of access to affordable menstrual products.
Also shame and taboo that is associated with menstruation in some cultures can also lead to period poverty.
And in places with poor sanitation, women might not have any access to clean water or toilets to manage their periods.
The impacts of period poverty include health issues, education and employment issues and social and emotional well being problems.
The stigma that is associated with period poverty can also lead to isolation, shame and mental health issues.
Period poverty can also prevent women and girls from attending school and participating in the workforce.
And lack of access to menstrual hygiene products like pads, tampons and menstrual cups can also lead to urinary tract infections, infections and other health issues.
The estimated amount of women and girls worldwide that experience period poverty is over 500 million.
And in the United States, it's estimated that 1 in 4 women have also experienced period poverty as some point in their lives.
And period poverty is also more prevalent in low income women, women of color and women that are homeless.
Solutions to fix period poverty and prevent period poverty are to provide access to affordable menstrual products through community initiatives, subsidies and government programs.
Educating girls and women about menstruation, menstrual hygiene and the importance of period poverty can also help prevent period poverty.
And improving access the clean water and toilets to women and girls and advocating for policies which support menstrual equity, like providing free menstrual products in workplaces and public school.
Period poverty is the worst in Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South Asia like Pakistan, and countries with high inflation and taxes on menstrual products such as Algeria and Ghana, where basic sanitation is lacking and taboos prevent education and access to supplies.