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Executive Summary
Period Poverty
Diaper Need
Hygiene Poverty
Justice Necessary conducted this study so Coloradans could better understand how Women may be affected by period poverty, diaper need, and hygiene products. We have provided the cross-tabs below so that anyone can view the results.
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Colorado 2022 Study on Women's Period Poverty, Diaper Need, and Hygiene Poverty
Executive Summary
Justice Necessary commissioned a study to better understand the extent of the issues we work to address every day: period poverty, diaper need, and the struggle of Coloradans to afford hygiene basics. We gathered responses from over 1,256 women in the state through an online study conducted from August 15 through August 24, 2022.
The results demonstrate the severity of the issue. Below, you’ll find detailed breakdowns of the study’s findings, but some data especially show the magnitude of our neighbors’ struggles:
Period Poverty
47% of women currently menstruating report experiencing period poverty. 41% have worn the product longer than recommended to stretch its use, subjecting them to health risks.
Diaper Need
57% of those with children in diapers struggle with diaper need. 53% report not having enough diapers for their children, needing to borrow from others or go without changing them.
Hygiene Poverty
60% of Women with Children struggled to purchase basic hygiene products in the last 12 months.
We asked respondents if, in the last 12 months, they had struggled to purchase hygiene essentials like tampons, pads, diapers, wipes, and more due to lack of funds or income. We also asked them how they addressed the lack of these supplies, what recourse, if any, they had, and how this affected their well-being.
Just as period poverty, hygiene poverty, and diaper need are shown by these results to be widespread; their mental, emotional, and physical health impacts turn out to be broadly distributed and deeply felt. Numerous respondents discuss feelings of shame and anger, missing work or school, and not knowing where to turn.
Social stigma and other forces often keep period poverty, diaper need, and hygiene poverty hidden from public view. By gathering these statistics, we get a fuller picture of this crisis and the pernicious impact it has in our community.
Period Poverty
Who experiences period poverty?
Period Poverty
47% of those who are currently menstruating with an emphasis on 41% have worn the product longer than recommended to stretch the use. This is shocking to hear whether you are female or male.
Tampons and pads are the most used products during menstrual cycles
Over two in five used substitute period products like toilet paper in the last year
Tampons
Pads
Period underwear
Menstrual cups
Other reusable options
Respondents/Women between the ages of 25-34 (73%) and 35-40 (73%) are more likely to use tampons during their menstrual cycle than those between the ages of 18-24 (65%).
Respondents/Women who have children in diapers (72%) are more likely to use pads during their menstrual cycle than those who do not have children in diapers (62%).
Respondents/Women with a Household income of $100,000+ (21%) are more likely to use period underwear during their menstrual cycle than those with a Household income of less than $25,000 (10%), $25,000 - $49,999 (14%), and $50,000 - $99,999 (13%).
Over two in five used substitute period products like toilet paper in the last year
Substitute Product Used In Place of Regular Period Products in last 12 months
Four in ten have used period products longer than recommended to stretch its use. Over 10% have washed and reused period products
Low awareness means fewer than one in five women get period products through an agency. Those who do mostly receive them from food banks
Lack of access to period products harms mental health
Respondents/Women between the ages of 18-24 (26%) are more likely to say that no longer participating in events or activities that they once were able to is a way they have been affected than those between the ages of 25-34 (15%) and 35-40 (16%).
Respondents/Women between the ages of 18-24 (26%) are more likely to say that no longer participating in events or activities that they once were able to is a way they have been affected than those between the ages of 25-34 (15%) and 35-40 (16%).
Respondents/Women with a household income of less than $25,000 (54%) are more likely to say that their confidence declining is a way they have been affected than those with a household income of $100,000+ (34%).
What emotions do women feel when they're unable to get period products?
Women have had to miss out on social activities, work, and education for a variety of reasons related to period poverty
Family members or friends are the most used resources for information about menstrual cycles and period products
Respondents/Women between the ages of 18-24 (59%) are more likely to say that they have used a family member or friend as a resource than those between the ages of 25-34 (50%) and 35-40 (38%).
Respondents/Women who do not have children are more likely to say that they have used a family member or friend (52%), online platforms (40%), and reproductive health and education in schools (20%) as resources than those who have children (45%, 34%, and 14% respectively).
Respondents/Women with a household income of less than $50,000 - $99,999 (44%) and $100,000+ (46%) are more likely to say that they have used a medical professional as a resource than those with a household income of $25,000 - $49,999 (37%) and less than $25,000 (33%).
Diaper Need
Who experiences diaper need?
Diaper Need
57% of those surveyed in Colorado who have children in diapers struggle with diaper need and then 53% don't have enough diapers and have to ask for help or not change as frequently.
More than three out of five women borrow money from family and friends for diapers
Not being able to purchase through SNAP or WIC is the biggest barrier in getting diaper products, followed by being unaware of agencies
Respondents/Women who are not Hispanic/Latino (48%) are more likely to say that a barrier to getting diaper products is that they are not aware of agencies than those who are Hispanic/Latino (28%).
Respondents/Women who are Black or African American (75%) are more likely to say that a barrier to getting diaper products is that they could not purchase through SNAP or WIC than those who are White or Caucasian (47%).
Respondents/Women with a household income of less than $25,000 (50%) are more likely to say that a barrier to getting diaper products is transportation than those with a household income of $50,000 - $99,999 (24%) and $100,000+ (18%).
Those who are aware of agencies tend to receive diaper products from Hospitals or Clinics, Church/Religious Organizations or Groups, or Food banks
How does diaper need affect parents and children?
Respondents/Women between the ages of 18-24 (24%) are more likely to say that missing work or losing a job is a way they have been affected than those between the ages of 25-34 (9%).
Respondents/Women with a household income of less than $25,000 (58%) are more likely to say that their mental health suffering is a way they have been affected than those with a household income of $50,000 - $99,999 (34%) and $100,000+ (24%).
What emotions do parents experiencing diaper need report feeling?
Hygiene Poverty
Who experiences hygiene poverty?
Hygiene Poverty
60% of Women with Children struggled to purchase basic hygiene products in the last 12 months.
Those struggling with access to hygiene essentials turn to a variety of sources
Respondents/Women between the ages of 18-24 (27%) are more likely to say that they have acquired basic essential products from work than those between the ages of 35-40 (19%).
Respondents/Women who are Black or African American (37%) and Native American, Indian, or Alaskan Native/Inuit (36%) are more likely to say that they have acquired basic essential products from hospitals or clinics than those who are White or Caucasian (20%).
How can access to hygiene essentials be improved? Quotes from study respondents:
Lower Price
It could be improved by lowering prices or even reducing the tax on them.
The price needs to be lowered and be more steadily available to our homeless and low-income individuals.
I think the prices should go lower and they should have more options for plus sized women and heavy flow women.', 'The prices could be more reasonable but also there should be far more available resources for women who can't afford the proper products. Reusing and using these products too long can cause serious health side effects.
More Resources
Having women-based resources and centers that are focused on women's issues and inadequate access to products.
I wish that there were more resources to get help in providing these items as they ARE necessities. Without them, it declines a person's, ESPECIALLY MINE, mental health. If I stink because I don't have soap or deodorant, I get anxious and embarrassed. If my breath stinks because I don't have the right stuff, I feel like I can't talk or breathe near anyone..
More Awareness
I think awareness is huge. Especially for the location where I live. We have a large homeless population who likely do not have access to these kinds of products. I feel like non-profits and churches cover basics like food and teeth, but feminine products are an afterthought. I would love there to be more information provided and to create easy access locations for people in need.
Offer more information and help in getting/how to get these items.
