TALK STORY
Let's Be Real
It’s clear that period poverty is intertwined with many societal issues, but no one talks about it. It’s time to change that and it starts with you.
Mahalo for having the courage to kukakuka with us and share your story.
"I don’t have a job since I’m still in high school and my family is struggling to make ends meet so there would be times where I just bleed my whole pants."
Allyson,
O'ahu
"My family has been poor from my childhood and now into my adulthood. It is especially hard with COVID-19. Prior to COVID-19, I was working 4 jobs to make ends meet and be sure we have food. I take care of my parents especially my Mom because she has health issues. And now I am only able to work 1 job because I need to be full time caregiver to my Mom.
I am constantly selling things on Facebook just to make ends meet. A few years ago I was homeless. I worked hard to get a place again. I will continue to work hard to provide for my Parents."
Serina
Mau'i
"I hate having periods because it’s always so heavy and I run out fast and during this pandemic, we have fallen to hard times and there’s days where I would go without wearing pads because I just can’t afford it anymore."
Allerine
O'ahu
"The way I managed my periods was by going on birth control (Depo Povera) so that I wouldn't menstruate and didn't need to purchase feminine hygiene products."
Noi
O'ahu
"Once upon a long long time ago, I was a single mom on welfare. I know the struggle of having to carefully choose where to spend the few dollars I have all too well; the shame of deciding to use toilet paper to extend the life of a pad "just a little bit longer" always wondering if I was risking a leak or - even worse - an infection by doing so, feeling helpless with no other option. Thank you for taking the time to help care for women out there. I am sure the need is greater than ever right now."
Kathy L.
Hawai'i Island
"To bleed between my legs does not mean I am a woman, nor do I want to be a man. There is too much possibility in the human body to only tell two stories about it."
Tai
O'ahu
“Our homeless outreach program serves homeless residents from Kalaeloa to Makua. Half of those we serve are women many of whom rely on government assistance such as food stamps. Because we know food stamps cannot be used to buy pads or tampons, many women end up exchanging their food stamps for cash.”
Leinaala
O'ahu
"I almost always get my period unexpectedly during the middle of a school day. I feel discouraged because I wasn’t prepared and don’t have extra pads on hand, or don’t have the money to purchase one at school and shame to ask classmates for money to get one."
Anonymous
O'ahu
"I’ve been a middle school teacher in public schools and have witnessed first hand the period poverty that affects many of our low income kids and families. This causes great shame to our young women who already struggle with low self-esteem."
Nicole
Moloka'i
"What we have found is that when new inmates arrive some are sorely lacking in hygiene practices. We are not sure if it is from poverty or drug use that this occurs. As a practice we try and assist with anything we can and their fellow inmates also. "
Brad
Mau'i
"After COVID-19, I wasn’t able to go back to work. It was a very stressful and anxious time as a single parent of a teenage daughter. I recently got a part-time job but now my rent spiked up $500! I don’t think I will be able to afford to purchase our monthly needs, such as menstrual pads. I read this article about how you can request for a kit and was so happy! This could really help cut some cost because both me and my daughter needs these products each month. Thank you for creating a program that does this!"
Tasha
Hawai'i Island
"Ten years ago I was so poor. Single. Trying to make rent. Going through a divorce. I would have to make my own products. It was so rough. Especially at work. I used to try to find places with 25¢ maxis or tampons just to stock up on a few. I used to use my boys diapers and tear the sides off. It was bad I was so broke. I don't want anyone to ever feel that way. Really happy you are doing this for others! More women need to remember there's no shame!"
Anonymous
O'ahu
"I agree that woman tax is a real thing and the least companies could do is make period products more affordable for women. On our island I can’t find the products I need that fit my body type. I always need to purchase online and pray that they come in time for my period to begin."
Tyra
Lāna‘i
"Access to free period products is so important for people with periods. Period products can be incredibly expensive making some families choose between food on the table or sanitary products and that is just unacceptable. For many teens, getting ahold of period products can be extremely stressful, especially since many aren't comfortable talking about their periods yet. Some may not have access to transportation or the cash to go buy period products when needed"
Mana
Makawao, Mau'i
"Period pads are extremely expensive on Lana’i it costs about $14 for a small pack of pads that have 12 in them. Usually at Walmart or Target I’d pay $5.74 for a pack of 24 pads. Everything is so over priced here on lanai and we also have to pay for taxes? That’s unacceptable."
Mariah
Lāna‘i
"Well, not sure if my story is in regards to period poverty but it feels like it. Living on Lanai, we have 2 stores that sell the minimum of period products, When I say minimum, that means limited you have 2 options of pads and tampons and its typically double the price of your basic grocery store. Because of this, I mainly shop for pads and tampons through Target so I can get it delivered to my home, but, sometimes, I forget to order and have to check if the stores even carry pads. Sometimes, its a success and they have pads, even if its the nasty, fat, no wings pads that no one really buys except for emergencies. Other times, the stores are completely out of stock, and I have to call my friends to see if they have pads that I can have from their stash. This is what its like living on Lana'i as a female."
Anonymous
Lāna‘i
"We need to maintain the health and dignity of young women as they grow up. Do not let them become 2nd class citizens because of a normal body function. Dealing with monthly periods is enough of a challenge without having to reuse products which can make them ill or become infected."
Ronda
Kona/Ka'u, Hawai'i Island
"At the low income public school that I teach at I have seen girls leave school early because they are unable to pay the nurse for a pad or a tampon. Girls should not be penalized or charged a fee for their bodies. Having a period should never stop a girl from being able to learn and access their education."
Elianna
O'ahu
"Irregular ma`i (menses) is a common issue for young women, and particularly for women who are overweight. When bodies carry extra momona (fatty tissue) it can affect the normal hormonal balance that regulates the ma`i cycle. Out of balance hormones can cause women to miss their ma`i for several months and then cause heavy bleeding later, often called “breakthrough bleeding” which can last for weeks to months. We see this situation all too commonly where women have had menstrual bleeding for so long that they deplete their body’s blood supply. This condition is called anemia, which causes people to feel tired or weak, and requires blood transfusions if it becomes severe. Another concern to keep in mind is the hormonal imbalance can cause the lining of the uterus to thicken during the months when the ma`i is missed to the point where it can lead to cancer of the uterus at a much younger age than is usually seen.
Unfortunately I have encountered both cancer of the uterus in young women in my community and severe anemia leading to medical complications and even the death of a close friend shortly before her 30th birthday. At that time, I made a vow to do everything I could to prevent the same thing from happening to another young woman. Please do not hesitate or delay seeing a health care provider if you are having issues with irregular ma`i. There are many treatments that can be used to help regulate out of balance hormones before they cause serious harm."
Dr. Chong-Hanssen
Kaua'i