Period Poverty and Stigma*
*This page is NOT medical advice. Please contact your chosen medical professional about any health concerns.
According to Period-Action.org, Period poverty: The limited or inadequate access to menstrual products or menstrual health education as a result of financial constraints or negative socio-cultural stigmas associated with menstruation.
16.9 million menstruating people in the United States live in poverty, 2/3 are low-income and food-insecure and cannot afford menstrual products like pads and tampons. - National Institutes of Health (nih.gov)
Be frank and direct about periods. Euphemisms and coded language add to the stigma of menstruation. This stigma can lead to shame, which causes many people who menstruate to avoid education and proper menstrual health. It is also important to note that the coded language used is heavily gendered. Not all women menstruate and not all people who menstruate are women.
"Monthly visitor"
"Aunt Flow"
"Red tide"
"Lady time"
"Shark Week"
"On the rag"
"Girl Flu"
"Carrie"
These euphemisms are known as coded language. It allows for discussion of a topic that many have labeled inappropriate. This raises the question, how can someone's natural healthy bodily functions be inappropriate? The simple answer, it's not. Periods and menstruation should be talked about frankly and without using alternative vocabulary to make others comfortable. It does a disservice to people who menstruate, to not discuss periods openly.
Why should periods be discussed openly and frankly?
According to research completed by the National Institutes of Health, a US Government agency tasked with medical research, "Menstrual stigma has lasting implications. It results in reinforcing misogynist stereotypes, with menstruators being perceived as “irrational,” “too emotional,” “hysterical”—and as a result, less capable, which influences participation in public life and economic opportunities. In a psychological study, women who signaled their menstrual status by dropping a tampon in front of others were ranked less competent and less likeable than someone who dropped an object perceived as neutral, such as a hair pin."
Full feature Netflix documentary, Period. End of Sentence which takes place in rural India, about the stigma of menstruation, women from poor rural communities making low-cost sanitary pads as they work toward financial freedom.
Aunt Flow is coming to OCLS! No, that is not coded language, it is the organization OCLS is partnering with to bring free period products to our customers and staff. Aunt Flow's mission is to end period poverty and the stigma surrounding periods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Aunt Flow?
Aunt Flow is a women-led organization that partners with businesses and organizations with the mission to provide free period products to those in need.
Why are the products being offered for free?
Menstrual products are a basic need for many members of our community both customers and staff.
Period poverty, which is the lack of access or affordability to menstrual products, exists in the communities we serve. Menstrual products are not covered by WIC or other government-subsidized programs, which creates a barrier for many.
Offering these products for free allows us to ensure that this is one less worry for those who need these products while visiting or working at our library locations.
Will there be a variety of products?
No, at this time we are limited to the products that Aunt Flow can provide but we will be offering both tampons and pads.
Where can I find Aunt Flow dispensers?
Dispensers will be available in:
All female-designated public restrooms
Family restrooms at OPL
Staff restrooms at branches
Female-designated staff bathroom on the 2nd floor at OPL
Two All Staff basement bathrooms at OPL
Why are we putting signs in the public men’s restrooms?
We want to make these products available to anyone who might need them. For individuals who don’t use female restrooms, Aunt Flow products will be available at service points upon request for any individual in discreet paper bags. There may be times when someone is asking on behalf of a friend or family member so including signs in the men’s restrooms allows us to ensure access for everyone.
Staff should not ask any questions and should simply provide the products when requested.
How will I know if someone is requesting Aunt Flow products at a service point?
Signage will direct customers to ask for “the backup plan” at service points.
Staff should not ask any questions and should simply provide the products when requested.
How often should the dispensers be restocked?
Dispensers should be restocked as needed. At branches, staff can check dispensers as part of normal bathroom checks for your location. If you need instructions for refilling a dispenser, you can watch the instructional videos provided by Aunt Flow. They are located on the Period Poverty and Stigma page on the DEIA LibGuide.
At OPL, our custodial staff will take care of keeping the dispensers stocked.
How will products be restocked?
Each location with receive an initial stock based on each location’s storage space. When running low, please check with your manager and they can request additional products. Additional stock will be sent through PEP.
What if someone empties the dispenser or takes more than they need? How can we control how many products a customer can take?
We do recognize that this may happen especially at the beginning of the rollout and that’s okay. We can assume that the individual needs those products that day. Organizations that have rolled out Aunt Flow have noticed a higher demand at the beginning but demand levels out over time once people learn that we’ll keep the dispensers stocked on an ongoing basis and not just a one-time luxury.
Who can I contact with questions or feedback?
Questions and feedback can be directed to your manager.
Free Menstrual Products at OCLS
Orange County Library System is partnering with Aunt Flow to supply free menstrual products to customers and staff in all OCLS locations. Aunt Flow’s mission is to end period poverty and the stigma of menstruation. As a member of a vast array of communities, it is important for OCLS to support those communities in as many ways as possible, including providing free menstrual products for those in need, no matter the need.
It is estimated that 16.9 million menstruating people are living in poverty and cannot afford basic period products like pads and tampons. Nearly 1 in 4 students have struggled to afford period products. 44% report stress and embarrassment due to a lack of these products.
OCLS is working to do its part to end the stigma and fight period poverty by providing free menstrual products for our customers and staff. For further information, visit the Period Poverty and Stigma page on the DEIA LibGuide.
