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American Medical Women's Association Position Statement on Period Poverty: Advancing Menstrual Equity Through Health
Rhea Manohar1,2, Meghan Etsey1, Leah Liszak1
1St. George University School of Medicine, St. George, Grenada.
Journal of Women'S Health (2002)
|May 9, 2026
Summary
Many individuals cannot afford menstrual products, leading to health issues and inequities. Policy changes are needed to include menstrual products in public health coverage like Medicaid.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Equity
- Women's Health
Background:
- Menstrual products are essential for health and hygiene.
- Lack of affordability disproportionately affects low-income individuals.
- Current public health programs often exclude menstrual products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the unmet need for affordable menstrual products.
- To examine the impact of excluding menstrual products from public health coverage.
- To advocate for policy changes regarding menstrual product accessibility.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of current public health coverage policies.
- Review of the socioeconomic and health consequences of unaffordable menstrual products.
- Examination of legislative and administrative avenues for policy change.
Main Results:
- One in four individuals with a uterus cannot afford menstrual products, with higher rates among low-income populations.
- Exclusion from coverage contributes to infections, missed school/work, and health disparities.
- Existing financial mechanisms like FSAs/HSAs do not adequately serve vulnerable populations.
Conclusions:
- Menstrual products should be classified as essential health services.
- Federal and state policymakers have the authority to expand coverage definitions.
- Policy action is crucial to address financial and health burdens and promote dignity.
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