A 2021 study by U by Kotex®, found that two in five people have struggled to purchase period products, a 35% increase from the brand’s initial research in 2018. Earlier data inspired U by Kotex® to become the founding sponsor of the Alliance for Period Supplies in 2018 and support those affected by period poverty.

One in four women and girls struggle to affording necessary period products. It is reported that 1 in 4 women and girls will miss school, work, or similar events due to lack of these products. This deprives girls and young women of education, while working women lose wages due to missing work.

The tampon tax (or tax on period products) refers to the sales tax rate that a state, county, and/or city government collects on the retail purchase of menstrual products. 21 states do not tax these products with the most recent being Texas which eliminated taxes on period products, diapers, and incontinence supplies in 2022.