During Period Poverty Awareness Week, May 11-17, Avera is helping to raise awareness and concern for females who lack resources and/or knowledge to manage their monthly period.

Half of the population menstruates, yet the Alliance for Period Supplies reports that one in four people struggle to purchase period supplies due to lack of income.

“In rural areas, there can be a lack of access due to proximity to stores that carry period supplies. In addition, not every girl has a trusted woman in her life who can help her learn to manage her monthly period, and this can also lead to period poverty, due to lack of information,” said Annie Siewert, MD, medical director for the Avera Women’s Health Steering Committee.

“A typical woman menstruates for about half her life. It’s something that sets women apart and makes them unique,” said Nikki Jacobson, certified nurse midwife, Access Health & Avera Medical Group – Marshall.

Period poverty is a health issue because lack of sanitary supplies can lead to use of unsafe materials like cloth rags or toilet paper, reuse of products or not changing them often enough. This increases the risk of conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis.

From a mental health perspective, period poverty can lead females to experience shame, anxiety, depression and social isolation. It may cause them to miss school or work. In fact, nearly one in five, or 3.5 million teens in the U.S. miss school due to a lack of products. Similarly, over one-third of low-wage women report missing work.

“It’s important that girls and women get the right information and have adequate resources to keep them safe and healthy,” Jacobson said.

“Avera has gathered a group of women’s health providers who are working to raise awareness of this underrecognized issue,” Siewert said.

You can learn more about period health by talking with a primary care provider or OB/GYN.

To get help or find organizations that need donations in your area, go to the 211 website and look for nonprofits in your area assisting with hygiene needs.