Every month, it arrived.
And every month, it came with a price.
Sanitary pads.
Pain medication.
Extra underwear.
Transportation.
Medical consultations.
Lost productivity.
Missed opportunities.
For some women, menstruation is merely an inconvenience.
For others, it is a financial burden.
A burden that accumulates month after month, year after year.
The costs are rarely discussed.
Yet they are significant.
For girls from low-income households, menstrual products may be considered unaffordable.
For women with conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, or fibroids, the expenses can become overwhelming.
Period poverty is not simply about access to sanitary products. It is about dignity. Education. Opportunity. Health. And equality.
No girl should miss school because she cannot afford menstrual products.
No woman should be forced to choose between managing her period and meeting basic needs.
The hidden cost of menstruation is real.
And addressing it is an essential part of advancing women's health.