Don’t Take Tampons For Granted

Access to feminine hygiene products (oh,  how I hate that phrase, but what else could I call them?) is something that we probably take for granted in the Western world.

We have thousands of pharmacies and corner stores selling pads, tampons, and even the environmentally friendly reusable cups. And even if we don’t have money to spare there’s usually the last resort of toilet paper.

But women in poor countries often don’t have these options and will resort to using ashes or husk sand to keep themselves clean. And aside from irritation, this leads to an increase in reproductive tract infections and cervical cancers.

A study in India found that up to 70% of women cannot afford sanitary napkins. And among those who use less hygienic methods of dealing with their periods the incidence of reproductive tract infection is 70% higher than for women who do use them.

These infections can lead to cervical cancer, women in India account for 25% of all cases worldwide, and these practices are a big part of that problem.

A quick search of the internet brought up a charity that provides hygiene kits to women and girls. They emphasize that every time a woman has her period she will be isolated and have to miss school, work, and any income she might get simply because she is a woman and has a period without access to good hygiene. I’m sure there are more of these charities out there and I think people need to be more aware that being a woman is a monthly liability in some places.

So spare a thought for those women who don’t have access to sanitary products and next time you have your period be thankful that you don’t have to use sand or ashes to keep clean.

Contact the author here: mack@morningquickie.com