2022 Study on Women’s Period Poverty, Diaper Need, and Hygiene Poverty
Executive Summary
In 2022, Justice Necessary commissioned our first study, the Colorado Women’s Study on Period Poverty, Diaper Need, and Hygiene Poverty, to better understand the struggles Coloradans face in affording basic hygiene essentials. Surveying 1,256 women across the state, we uncovered significant challenges impacting daily life.
In 2024, we conducted a follow-up study using the same questions to track changes and revealed an escalating crisis in our community. The findings highlight the urgent need to expand access to resources, raise awareness, and advocate for policies addressing period poverty, diaper access, and hygiene needs.
The studies revealed far-reaching impacts on mental, emotional, and physical health. Respondents reported feelings of shame and frustration, missing work or school, and struggling to find reliable help.
Justice Necessary remains committed to addressing these challenges and ensuring every Coloradan has access to the resources they need to live with dignity.
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 parents 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 they had struggled to afford hygiene essentials like tampons, pads, diapers, and wipes during the past 12 months.. We also explored how they managed without these supplies; what support, if any, was available to them, and how this affected their overall well-being.
The results reveal that period poverty, diaper need, and hygiene poverty are not only widespread but also deeply impact the mental, emotional, and physical health of the people who struggle with them. Many participants shared experiences of shame, frustration, missing work or school, and feeling helpless about where to seek assistance.
Social stigma often keeps these issues hidden, making it harder to address how common they are. By collecting this data, we shed light on these challenges and hope to drive meaningful solutions.
In response, Justice Necessary created Find Your Pantry, a tool that connects individuals with nearby organizations offering essential hygiene products—including period supplies, diapers, toiletries, and cleaning items—by simply entering their zip code.
Find Your Pantry also serves as a resource hub, helping individuals locate hygiene essentials while allowing donors and volunteers to connect with local agencies in need of products, financial support, or assistance. This ensures contributions directly support community priorities and helps more people access the essentials they need to live with dignity.
Jump to Section:
For Media Inquiries:
Jump to Section:
For Media Inquiries:
Period Poverty
Who experiences 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.
45%
of those who are between the ages of 18-24 and 25-34 struggle with period poverty
54%
of those making less than $50,000 a year struggle with period poverty
48%
of those who are
Hispanic/Latino struggle with period poverty
55%
of those who are
Black or African American struggle with period poverty
Tampons and pads are the most used products during menstrual cycles
71%
Tampons
64%
Pads
14%
Period Underwear
12%
Menstrual Cups
4%
Other reusable options
Respondents/Women between the ages of 35-40 (43%) are more likely than those aged 18-24 to say that being unable to purchase through SNAP or WIC was a barrier to getting period products.
Respondents/Women who have children in diapers (72%) are more likely than those who do not have children in diapers (62%) to use pads during their menstrual cycle.
Respondents/Women with a Household income of $100,000+ (21%) are more likely than those with a Household income of less than $25,000 (10%), $25,000 – $49,999 (14%), and $50,000 – $99,999 (13%) to use period underwear during their menstrual cycle.
The biggest barrier to getting period products: not knowing who can help
Respondents/Women between the ages of 35-40 (43%) are more likely to say that a barrier to getting period products is that they could not purchase through SNAP or WIC than those between the ages of 18-24 (27%).
Respondents/Women who live in other counties (43%) are more likely to say that a barrier to getting period products is transportation than those who live in Denver & surrounding counties (31%).
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
Negative Impacts Caused By Lack of Access to Period Products
Respondents/Women between the ages of 18-24 (26%) are more likely to report that they no longer participate in events and activities that they once enjoyed, compared to 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 report that their confidence has declined than those with a household income of $100,000+ (34%).
What emotions do women feel when they're unable to get period products?
Feelings When Unable to Purchase or Access Period Products
Women have had to miss out on social activities, work, and education for a variety of reasons related to period poverty
Events Skipped or Missed in last 12 months Due to Period
Reasons Something Was Skipped or Missed Due to Period
Women have had to miss out on social activities, work, and education for a variety of reasons related to period poverty
Resources Used for Information About Menstrual Cycle 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 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?
57% of parents 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.
16%
of mothers between the ages of 18 – 40 struggle with diaper need
62%
of Latino respondents struggle with access to basic hygiene products
68%
of parents struggling with diaper need make $25,000 – $50,000
62%
of mothers between the ages of 18 – 24 don’t have enough diapers to change their children
More than three out of five women borrow money from family and friends for diapers
What Respondents Do When They Don't Have Enough Diapers
Not being able to purchase through SNAP or WIC is the biggest barrier in getting diaper products, followed by being unaware of agencies
Barriers Experienced to Getting Diaper Products Other Than a Lack of Income/Funds
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
Agencies Respondents Received Diaper Products From
How does diaper need affect parents and children?
Ways Affected By Not Being Able to Access Diaper Products
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?
Feelings When Unable to Purchase Diaper Products
Hygiene Poverty
Who experiences hygiene poverty?
60% of Women with Children struggled to purchase basic hygiene products in the last 12 months.
53%
are Black or African Americans who struggled with accessing basic hygiene products
30%
of parents who have children struggle with diaper need
74%
Of those who are
Native American, Indian, or Alaskan Native/Inuit struggle with access to basic hygiene products
62%
Of those who are between the ages of 25-34 struggle with access to basic hygiene products
Those struggling with access to hygiene essentials turn to a variety of sources
Agencies Where Respondents Acquired Basic Essential Products
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."
