Results from the 2024 Bloody Big Survey show that an increasing number of women across Australia are struggling to afford essential period products.

The survey conducted every three years by Share the Dignity reached out to over 150,000 women for this report, and found concerning results among participants.

Comments from respondents included: “With the cost of everything rising, sometimes I had to make decisions between whether I buy food or buy period products. Could I stretch my pads or tampons out and use toilet paper or socks towards the end of my period?”

Approximately 64 per cent of women from the survey claimed they have resorted to low-cost alternatives to deal with their periods, but how does this affect women who are living with menstrual disorders?

According to HealthyWomen, a wellness organisation dedicated to female empowerment and education, menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhoea (painful periods) and endometriosis (overgrowth of uterine tissue) are defined as physical or emotional disruptions that occur before or during menstruation.

Women who live with menstrual disorders can experience symptoms such as heavy mood swings, irregular bleeding or painful cramps, which often require medical treatment.

A report by the South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People also revealed that because of the societal stigmas around menstruation, many young women said they knew little about their bodies or how to manage period pain. For this reason, many women claimed they felt embarrassed about seeking professional help from gynaecologists.

Share the Dignity recognises that period poverty is national issue in Australia. But a lack of accessible menstrual products particularly impacts women living with menstrual disorders, especially those who experience heavier periods.

Dr Dani Barrington is a Senior Lecturer in Global Health at UWA, and has conducted research in menstruation, wellbeing and menopause throughout her career.

“A lack of products means that people facing period poverty generally have the added burden of not being able to afford or ‘manage’ a normal bodily function in a way that is expected by society,” Dr Barrington said. She believes everyone should be educated about periods and menstrual health for the better good of society.

With that being said, there are many health organisations and period support groups like PPEP Talk and Jean Hailes who are trying to remove the stigma around menstruation by encouraging public conversations about period poverty and menstrual disorders.

Fran Fazioli is a clinical nurse at the Fremantle Women’s Health Centre, where they offer counselling and medical services for women in Fremantle, Melville and Cockburn. She said talking about periods more openly to all genders is essential, so that menstruation does not become a women specific issue.

“Having a broader understanding of periods across the whole population is important for it to be more comfortable for people to talk about, whether that be between parents and children, or between peers and friends. It’s important to recognise that it’s a normal human function.”

Fran Fazioli, clinical nurse at FWHC

Ms Fazoli said having open conversations about periods could open doors for young people to share their experiences with period pain related to menstrual disorders, but educating people about the basics of menstrual health was key for this to be possible.

She is concerned that until we can discuss these problems without fear of judgement, the stigma surrounding periods will continue.