What is the total annual cost of feminine hygiene products?

[Notherndude84]

Ladies have you or do you keep track of what you spend on them. I wonder how many women struggle every month to get them?

[Anonymous]

I honestly haven't looked into how much I spend on an annual basis but I do know how much they cost. Since menses flow is different at every stage, the same holds true for feminine pads. I have low absorbency for use during my last days, medium absorbency for the first day of my period and heavy absorbency for day 2 and 3 as those are the heaviest days. Therefore costs can vary from $7.97 to $22.29 since I like to buy the bigger bags to save a little money. I'll buy a 50 tampon box every 2 years? I only use them if i go swimming or I'm going to a special event. I still have 30 tampons left so I might be good for the rest of the year. That's about $15. Now i would need to see my history to find out how often I order these products but it's safe to say no more than 3 times a year since I do buy the bigger packages of pads (tampons only once every 2 years). I've considered buying the Diva Cup but it scares me a little bit. Though some women do like it bc it's reusable which saves them money and they believe their helping reduce waste.

[fartingspinster]

When I was living at home as a teenager - my flow was extremely heavy. My mom wasn't buying me the pads... I was working and she expected me to buy them. Given that I was also buying clothes, paying a portion of rent etc... I was struggling and consistently bled through pants because I had to try and preserve the period pads. I would even sit on the toilet to try and "empty" as much as possible in thr toilet so as not to waste a pad.

I wish girls dependent on lousy parents like this could gain better support.

I always made sure I had enough money to buy them when needed and would always scout the aisle for sales when I was in college and broke af. I'm just glad they dont have tax on them anymore and pretty much every bathroom at school has pads/tampons because they finally realize how much of a necessity they are. Sucks that they got rid of the 25c tampon dispensers in the lady's washroom lol. I remember that was a thing in the 90s.

[Notherndude84]

I figured that many girls/women sometimes struggle with getting the products they need. My workplace provides generic tampons or pad to female employees. I regularly give a donation of pads to the local food bank, they have a program to distribute them to women who are homeless or struggling.

[fartingspinster]

That's very sweet of you! You know what? I think it would really heal my inner child if I donate pads/tampons too. I'm going to look into that. My city has a large population of homeless people now because rent has sky rocketed and most sre living out of tents now.

Whenever someone asks me for a feminine product, I always give 2-3. I know what its like not having any when you are in need.

[Notherndude84]

Usually food banks or local outreaches or missions will distribute them, also diapers and formula are generally accepted.

[Notherndude84]

The grocery store I shop at has a donation bin, it’s honestly no trouble to do. I read once that women who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, are more vulnerable than men in the same situation. If you can give a woman a small hand up in a tough time it can make a world of difference.

[fartingspinster]

❤️ love this :)
Will surely be on the lookout

[DrPepper12]

Don't forget the period tax! The fact that they're not tax free (cuz they're "discretionary" products) or even provided for FREE for all women (or at least subsidized, discounted or stipend) by the federal government is SHAMEFUL!

It's the kind of evil only a man could conjure up!

We teachers in NY State fought FEROCIOUSLY for YEARS to make menstrual products freely available to students. They got the hint last year & passed the law for 6-12 which is still BULLSHIT; NYC went further like we asked & made it 4-12. As if 4th & 5th graders don't have periods.

Sorry you hit a still raw nerve. Wanna raise my taxes? FINE! As long as it's for progressive policy like this.

[BonzoInBitburg]

I'm the sole breadwinner and we just did the shopping for that tonight and spent about $20. It seems like we spend that every couple months.

[Apple1996]

That really varies for each woman. Depending on flow, amount of days, how long we were the pad/tampon. Some women like reusable products like cups, period panties, free bleeding is a option too. If I had to guess I spend maybe $150 a year on pads/tampons

[Apple1996]

The average annual expenditure on menstrual products in the United States is estimated to be between $120 and $180. This varies depending on factors such as:
Type of product: Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, etc.
Brand: Premium brands can be more expensive.
Sales tax: Some states impose sales tax on menstrual products.
Over a lifetime, it is estimated that women spend an average of $18,000 on menstrual products. However, this figure can vary significantly depending on individual circumstances.

Just pulled this from Google

[Notherndude84]

That’s actually more than I thought. If you think about it that’s significant over a person’s working life.

[Apple1996]

Yeah its a lot especially with buying the non toxic pads/tampons like I use to just buy cheap or extreme coupon them when I was younger but I've learned its just not worth my health to be risking cancer and other issues so now I pay more for 100% cotton

[Abbycado]

Look at the one anon fuckwit as it I have a choice not to buy these products and if I kept track, I’d spend less. Wtf…

No, I don’t keep track. I buy what is necessary for FEMININE ISSUES. God what a dick that guy is.

[Notherndude84]

What is anon?

[Abbycado]

Anonymous. The only other opinion on here atm.

[Abbycado]

He thinks if I kept track, I’d use less?

[Notherndude84]

Oh okay 👍 I thought you were referring to the question itself.

All good

[Abbycado]

Tell you what, just had mine. Next time I stock up, I’ll try to remember to give a monthly total.

[Notherndude84]

Sure 👍

[Saarr]

I have never really thought about the amount I spend on period stuff. If I have to make a rough estimation with the prices at this moment it would probably be around €61 a year, which is 66 USD


Tampons €36
Pads €10
Painkillers €15

[Notherndude84]

That’s a good point, many women have pain and discomfort too

[Nikki1989]

I don't keep track of any spending, but especially things like this.

And I second @Abbycado comment on the blue anon. Seriously, from under what rock do these morons crawl out from?

[Jordi2525]

only when you ask your nonsense is it correct?

[Agape93]

Per year

My girl is around
$120 for tampons
$25 for midol or pamprin
$20 for gas x

For me, pretty much nothing. Partial hysterectomy so I don't get periods anymore.

[Agape93]

I don't struggle because I budget and can buy the shit she needs. But when I was working minimum wage, which most women do, affording that is hard, especially if you want to get the good stuff that doesn't hurt and doesn't leak easily.

[Smashingdoozy]

I spend about £140 (about $180 usd) every 3-5 years as I use reusable products (menstrual cup and period underwear). Previously I would have spent $150 usd every year.

[Anonymous]

Liners are $8 a month, it's a big box but you can replace them a few times a day sometimes. Thin heavy pads.. $12 for two months (double pack) or double on heavier months, the menstrual cup is $30 a year or twice a year depending on condition.

[petitedollbabee]

I usually spend about $14 per month. $7 per pack of sanitary pads and I always buy 2. So thats like $170 per year?

[Paige90]

Why don't you wear tampons?

[petitedollbabee]

I’ve always found them really uncomfortable, and im paranoid about toxic shock syndrome. I only use them if I’m going swimming while on my period.

[Paige90]

The few times I have used pads I could smell them after I wore them two hours so I worried that other people could too. Have you tried using a menstrual cup?

[petitedollbabee]

I haven’t, no. I get heavy flows so I’m paranoid about it overfilling and unlike a pad, you can’t feel when it gets too full? I also worry about it causing a mess when removing it, I don’t want to spill blood everywhere.

[Paige90]

@petitedollbabee I was concerned about spilling blood taking it out too but it's actually very easy. Also, I don't think it's possible to fill it up in 6-8 hours. The first day I also have heavy flow but I have never had a problem with it overflowing. When I go swimming I always have a tampon in take the cup out although I could leave it in.

[iCuddleU]

I don't know exactly but a box of tampons runs about 13 CAD for a reasonable supply.

[Notherndude84]

Would a box last a woman for one menstrual cycle?

[iCuddleU]

Yes they come in a pack of 30 usually, for me personally a 30 pack box lasts for 3 cycles personally. Every girl is different though, that's just my average use personally.

[Notherndude84]

Makes sense.

[iCuddleU]

As far as the cost I would imagine in the area of 180 - 200 CAD per year. Granted I'm Canadian, for USD it would likely average to around 150 dollars.

[NordicInScandinavia]

Annual: about 500-600Dkr, depending if I need to buy another cup or refresh my reusable pads.

[CharlieTheNerd2008]

On average a month/ year about £25-£30. Thats for me and two girls starting puberty

[D_Bone_Steak]

How much you want to bet men pay for most of these blood catchers?

[Anonymous]

I spend about $10 a month, so $120 annually.

[douride2]

I have no idea. None what so ever. I buy what & when I need.

[Godihateyou]

Father of 3 girls husband of another. I pay all of the bills. The cost of feminine products is a cu t hair fraction of what these bitches spend on frivolous crap.

[Anonymous]

I do not calculate how much I spend because the price increases are constantly coming. However, I do not care about the increase, and I only buy pads because, unfortunately, I have to. 🤷🏻‍♀️🥺

[Pet68]

Well, thankfully that's something I'll never need to worry about. :)

[Anonymous]

If a woman truly kept track of how much they spent on these products, they would not be in debt because of doing so.

[Notherndude84]

Not likely. It’s more of a question born of my curiosity

[MisterWack]

Until you go through menstruation, I’d keep it to the professionals. Women do what they must, I don’t butt in.

[alice55]

Nobody is on debt because of this though, I have really heavy flow and even I don't get in debt you just need to buy the special panties and you're good xD

[Pet68]

Oh of course, and if people didn't go to the toilet so often, they'd save heaps on toilet paper! What kind of silly logic is this?

[Opinion Owner]

I once had a woman tell me that she spent 600 dollars on shoes in one month. Therefore, I believe there are women out there that overspend on these types of products as well.

[alice55]

Shoes are good and fun to buy, pad and such are not fun to buy, if you told me woman overspend on bra I would say yes true, but no woman overspend on pads.

[Opinion Owner]

@alice55 I most certainly know for a fact that they do.

[alice55]

I don't believe you you can't overspend it on it cause you'll use it anyway

[Opinion Owner]

@alice55 It is a proven fact, but you can believe what you wish.

[alice55]

then show me the link that prove it

[Opinion Owner]

@alice55 this conversation is over naive lady. Look it up for yourself and you will discover the truth. Bye, I have better things to do then argue with a woman who is probably broke herself from overspending on these products.

[alice55]

This just prove my point you were not able to find the proves so you come back with your tail between your legs angry poor puppy XD

[Opinion Owner]

@alice55 Look it up yourself and you will find it. Are you that lazy. I would swear you are Gen Z.

[purplepoppy]

I just stuff my snatch with straw

[DrPepper12]

Better that than foundation era Egyptian women who used honey, salt & crocodile dung as birth control!! I would stay away too!!

My HS girl students were HORRIFIED when we did lessons like this!

https://aadl.org/node/198977

[dustybiker2]

I hope you freeze it overnight first. Kills the bugs.
I did that for my rabbit and chinchillas anyway.

[Notherndude84]

Yikes 😬

[alice55]

not a lot as I used special panties