Beyond the pad: The real price of period poverty in Canada
Periods are a fact of life—but for many people in Canada, they come with a high price.
From the cost of period products to the lingering sense of shame that still surrounds the topic, periods (also known as menstruation) can be a real challenge in everyday life.
What is menstrual equity?
Menstrual equity means making sure everyone who menstruates has access to the products, education, and support they need to manage their period with dignity. It’s not just about handing out free tampons and pads (although that helps). It’s about breaking down the barriers and making periods easier to manage for everyone.
Period poverty is real in Canada
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One in six Canadians who menstruate have personally experienced period poverty.
You might be surprised to hear that 17% of people in Canada who menstruate have experienced period poverty, meaning they couldn’t afford or access the products they needed. That number jumps to 1 in 4 among people living in lower-income households.Footnote 1
With rising inflation, things are only getting tougher. In 2023, around 1 in 5 Canadians who menstruate said they were worried they wouldn’t be able to afford period products within the next year.Footnote 1
The hidden costs (and consequences)
Periods can be expensive. Over a lifetime, someone who menstruates might spend up to $6,000 just on period productsFootnote 2 . That’s not including pain relief, new underwear, or any other extras.
When someone can't buy period products, they might turn to unsafe alternatives like using products for too long or not using them as directed. These might seem like a reasonable solution but in reality, they can raise health risks including infections. Treating these health problems can be expensive, requiring medicine and visits to doctors.
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One in five people who menstruate say they may not be able to afford period products at some point in the next 12 months.
Others may skip school, work or social events because they don’t have period products. In 2023, 15% of people in Canada who menstruate said their inability to afford menstrual products held them back from participating in daily activities, such as sports or from attending school or work.Footnote 3
When people who menstruate are left behind, they miss chances to make friends or build important connections that can help them later in life. Making those strong connections is important as they can help folks access job opportunities, mentorships, and more.
The financial impacts from period poverty don’t just stop after menstruating each month. They can add up and affect long-term financial stability. In 2024, the gender pay gap for both full-time and part-time employees is $0.88Footnote 4 . This means that women still only make 88 cents of every dollar that men make.
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One in four Canadians agree that periods are dirty or unclean. One in five agree that menstruation should not be publicly discussed & menstrual products should be kept out of sight. [Hh1] Periods are not “dirty” or “unclean”- they are basic human biology.
When people who menstruate can't fully participate in the workforce, Canada loses out on their skills, ideas, and contributions. Reducing period poverty means unlocking potential - in innovation, productivity, and leadership - which benefits the whole economy.
It’s estimated that supporting equal opportunities for women in the workplace could add $150 billion to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2026Footnote 5 . While period poverty is just one of the barriers for gender equality in the workplace, it is an important one. Economic participation could mean economic growth for all.
What can you do to help?
Change doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s okay. While it might feel like one person can’t make much of a difference, small actions really do add up.
Here are a few ways you can start making an impact:
Make space for curiosity.
Everyone should have the chance to learn about menstruation. Whether you're someone who menstruates or not, learning more helps build understanding and stronger allies.
Talk about it... openly. Yes, even with men and boys! Ending period poverty and achieving menstrual equity means getting everyone involved in the conversation. The more we talk and engage the entire population, the more we normalize periods.
Challenge the stigma.
Periods are natural and they’re not something to be ashamed of. Let’s shift the narrative by framing menstruation as what it is: a healthy, normal part of life. No need for “Aunt Flo” or “red tide” nicknames. Open, honest conversations help break the silience.
Learn more:
- Menstrual Equity Fund - Canada.ca
- Menstrual Equity Fund - Food Banks Canada
- Mapping menstrual equity in Canada - A shared vision: Qualitative research
- Women and Canada's Gross Domestic Product: A Growing Contribution - Statistics Canada
- Attitudes and awareness of menstrual equity and period poverty among Canadians: report
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