<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4cVwHC_0wCfpGIR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4cVwHC_0wCfpGIR00" width="1500" height="844" >SYRACUSE, N.Y. — An invisible struggle is facing teenagers who menstruate, according to new research by the Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. The research revealed the statistic that a third of teens did not have access to a pad or tampon during their menstrual cycle in the past year.Menstrual injustice, also known as Period Poverty, has been an issue for menstruating individuals for years. Dr. George Stanley, an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and practicing doctor at Upstate University hospital, defined Menstrual Injustice as “The oppression of menstruators, women, girls, transgender men and boys, and non-binary persons simply because they menstruate.”With period poverty and the lack of access, people are resorting to other methods such as fast food napkins or cardboard, says Teri Lawless, the Affiliate Director of “I Support the Girls” at Syracuse. The problem of access and sanitation becomes one that is hard to deny. The cost of maintaining a period and supporting oneself can grow up to $18,000. Between the products themselves and the need for over the counter pain medication for those with more intense cycles, products become a privilege rather than a necessity.While cost may be impeding for some, there is also a great emotional toll it can take on students said Elizabeth Crockett, Chief Operating Officer of REACH CNY: “they don’t want to go to school, be embarrassed, have accidents and it’s another burden that will add to stress and poor mental health.” Students spend the entirety of their day in the classroom, and when they have a fear of when the next time they can switch their tampon or pad is, it makes more sense to stay home. In a 2021 study by THINX, it was found that 84% of students have missed class or know others that did because they could not access these basic items.The basic items like toilet paper and towels are readily available in restrooms, and institutions like Syracuse University are trying to do the same with menstrual products. Tim Wong, The Speaker Pro Tempore of The Student Association at Syracuse University &amp; SUNY-ESF, said “this is something that should be a necessity” when referring to including these items free of charge across campus. Other institutions have followed this trend, and even some states have created legislation to require it.While schools and workplaces can follow this trend, teenagers are ultimately still disadvantaged. Organizations that provide menstrual products can require an age minimum of 18 for some, due to health care laws. On top of this, aid programs like food stamps do not allow for the purchase of these products to be included. So when it comes time to create the grocery list for the week, these products will ultimately be cut if it is not in the budget. The “Pink Tax” has been a topic of debate, showcasing the inflation for products stereotypically designed for women. When men pay for a basic razor, they should expect an average price of $3.02, but women can see the price jump to $5.14 for the same product according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine.In 2021, The Pink Tax Repeal Act attempted to prohibit gender-based taxes, but ultimately it was not passed. But Crockett believes the issue lies beyond the Pink Tax and legislation poverty. Crockett says the only solution she can see viable to fixing menstrual injustice is tackling the larger issue of poverty, and maybe that will stop this vicious cycle of period poverty.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

It’s called ‘Period Poverty’ and it impacts more than a third of all tee

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — An invisible struggle is facing teenagers who menstruate, according to new research by the Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. The research revealed the statistic that a third of teens did not have access to a pad or tampon during their menstrual cycle in the past year.