What to Know About the Nationwide Tampon Shortage
At this point, shortages and high prices seem like a way of life in the United States, which is still contending with the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tampons are the most recent item to make it to that list. But there’s more to the story than just a supply chain upset, and journalists should absolutely take note.
Here are some of the key factors playing into the tampon shortage.
A LABOR SHORTAGE AT PROCTER & GAMBLE
Procter & Gamble, the parent company of Tampax, is currently experiencing a labor shortage due to its unpopular workplace policies and low pay rates. In order to combat this, Procter & Gamble recently raised their minimum wage to $25/hour, but the labor market has proven too competitive for them to keep up. The company recently released a statement saying their workforce had “stabilized,” but the truth of that remains to be seen and there is bound to be more news as the story develops.
TROUBLE GETTING PRODUCTS OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE
Procter & Gamble has said that getting their products out of the factory and into the correct avenues for shipping has been “costly and highly volatile." Freight rates have doubled this last year, making it difficult and expensive for any company to use courier services, while also driving prices up for consumers.
WOMEN ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY SUFFERING
The tampon shortage is the second supply chain issue – next to a highly publicized shortage of baby formula – that directly affects women in disproportionate amounts. The shortages have also lasted for extended amounts of time-the baby formula shortage has been ongoing since late 2021, when Abbott issued a recall of all of its shelved formula; the tampon shortage has been ongoing since early June. Other pandemic-related shortages lasted only a matter of weeks.
LEARNING ABOUT PERIOD POVERTY
You might be asking yourself, “What is period poverty?”
Period poverty is defined as “inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education, including but not limited to sanitary products, washing facilities and waste management.” This particular side of poverty happens for a number of different reasons. The most common issue contributing to period poverty is the prohibitively high cost of menstrual products. Menstrual products run folks anywhere from $20 - $50 a month, depending on a number of factors. Menstrual product insecurity also plays a big part in period poverty: about 40 percent of people shopping for menstrual products have said they are unable to find their preferred brand.
People have admitted to resorting to using other materials, such as diapers, socks, and cloth to replace menstrual products when they have been unable to find any, moves that can cause complications, infections, or other health problems.
ALTERNATIVES
People who use tampons are being disproportionately affected by this shortage, as opposed to people who use pads or menstrual cups. Both options are higher cost than tampons. Period underwear is also available. Liners and other plastic-free products may also be easier to come across, as the raw materials necessary for tampon plastics are also facing steep inflation costs and supply issues.
The tampon shortage is affecting the lives of countless people. As with the pandemic, women and people with uteruses – because transmen and nonbinary individuals are also affected – who live in poverty, which includes a high number of people of color, are more likely to feel the adverse impacts.
When individuals are unable to meet their basic needs, reporting on the truth of their situation is the best way journalists can pressure those in power to craft comprehensive policy aimed at rectifying the matter.
