The True Cost of Periods

We all know about the physical costs that periods concur, but what about the sneaky, hidden monetary impact. The products sure do add up. It’s time to shed light on just how much it all comes to.

The Essentials (Tampons, Pads, and Menstrual Cups)

Perhaps the biggest outgoing when it comes to periods comes from the sanitary products you use. Whether that’s sanitary pads, tampons, period pants, or even a combination. The average woman will bleed for 2-7 days in her monthly cycle. Gone are the days of hiding behind the curtain. A staggering 4.3 billion items are used per year in the UK alone – an average of 22 products per person, per cycle. Each unique period cycle will differ person to person. A single packet of sanitary pads costs anywhere from £0.79 up to £4.70, which for many may not even last the full period. Time to get the calculator out.

What about the menstrual cup? This nifty, discreet, silicone cup can be used for up to 12 hours; inserted similarly to a tampon, and useable for almost double the time.  Although an initial investment, these cups can be reused again and again for up to an entire decade.

Painkillers

Alongside bleeding, many people also suffer with cramps, so it’s no surprise that over this time, painkillers become a woman’s lifesaver. Whether that’s over-the-counter paracetamol, ibuprofen, or a hot water bottle to sooth the aching. Studies have shown that 55% of women require some form of pain relief for their menstrual discomfort. Although £0.37 may not seem a lot for a box of paracetamol, this often does not suffice, and most people will use a combination of differing pain relief to get through the day. Can you relate?

For more sever pain relief, many women will turn to the NHS for pain management. NHS currently cost an additional £9.90 per prescription item. Or for a quick hassle-free alternative, private healthcare offers pain relief unavailable over-the-counter. Medications such as Naproxen and Mefenamic Acid – for as little as £14.99, when ibuprofen and the hot water bottle aren’t cutting it.

Pink Tax

‘Pink Tax’, heard of that one? You certainly will have encountered it. This added extra placed upon products marketed towards women exclusively. From pink razors to perfume; ‘womens’’ products are priced at premium. Then there’s added ‘Tampon Tax’, specifically for menstrual products. Although the 5% VAT on tampons was scrapped a couple years ago, the cost of the products themselves has only crept up. In comparison to the 10% rate of inflation, menstrual products saw an increase of 27% of own-brand products in 2023. Now that’s taxing.

It’s not just the sanitary products either, painkillers specifically marketed to ‘menstrual pain’, can be double the price. That’s a hefty price to pay for pink packaging. Panadol Period Pain and Feminax are branded forms of paracetamol/caffeine and ibuprofen lysine, respectively. Surely, there’s something more in them? No. Unfortunately, just a pretty pink box labelled ‘period’.

Pants and Washing

It’s happened to us all, that moment when our pants fall victim to Aunt Flo. The cost of replacing pants, of trying to get that stubborn stain out, the extra load of washing – it’s an unavoidable cost that can’t be ignored.

Work

For many, periods aren’t just an inconvenience – sometimes they can be physically debilitating, affecting your productivity and often resulting in time off work. One study found that 14% of women reported absence from work due to menstrual problems. Only 40% of these women were truthful about this absence. Due to period related problems a shocking £3.25 billion is lost through absences each year across the UK.

In Spain, a ‘menstrual leave’ had been proposed which would have entitle women to three days of paid leave per month specifically for painful periods. And it’s not just Spain, but Indonesia, Japan, and Taiwan already have laws in place to allow for additional menstruation days. Because sometimes it’s just impossible to go in.

How to cut the cost?

Although it would be impossible to remove the cost of periods completely, there are some ways to reduce the costs. Even these small changes can go a long way.

• Stocking up in advance and taking advantage of sales and discounts whenever available.
• Buying generic brands of medication; read the label and find out what makes Feminax different from unbranded Ibuprofen Lysine. (Spoiler: not a lot).
• Investing in a menstrual cup or period pants. After that initial investment, these reusable options will cut the cost for your pocket and the planet.
• Making sure you’ve got spares. There’s nothing worse than being caught-out and having to spend in a pinch.
• Track you periods. Avoid those ‘caught-out’ moments by keeping track of when you’re due a visit from Mother Nature. Keeping the cost of last-minute buys to a minimum.
• Work and school programs. Many schools and some companies will have programs with access to free sanitary products.

The Bottom Line

The average woman will have her period for around 40 years. Yes, 40 years! That’s 480 periods in a lifetime. Each month, women will spend on a variety of products and medications to help them through the painful period. With the average woman spending £13 a month on sanitary products, a further £8 on new pants, and £4.30 on pain relief. This works out at nearly a staggering £500 a year.