Our founder warns - grinding period poverty could be killing
A staggering one in ten people who menstruate simply cannot afford basic hygiene products, with some forced to take dangerous risks such as wearing tampons for too long.
More than a third of those who struggled, said they wore pads or tampons for more than the recommended time or turned to alternatives such as tissues, cotton wool, or paper. This increased the likelihood of serious life-threatening Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs).
Locally, organisations such as Upturn have teamed up with our founder Dr Anita Sharma, to distribute period products free of charge to women’s refuges and community centres. There, they heard how women shunned going out altogether because of the problem.
Dr Sharma said: “No one should face barriers simply because of their period. One in 10 avoid going into work, and a similar number missed school, college or university because of period poverty.
“Yes, we really do now live in a country where women are dicing with serious sickness because they are forced to choose between paying the rent, feeding their children, or ensuring that their own health is okay.”
Speaking during Period Poverty Awareness Week, Dr Sharma said that the issue was more prevalent in the North and added: “This situation is really shameful and allied to poorer health facilities and weak nutrition is leading to lives actually being lost.”
Shame and embarrassment may seem to be the main results of period poverty. But Dr Sharma reminded us that untreated urinary infections can lead to conditions such as sepsis and kidney damage. And the picture can get even bleaker. Because treatment for these UTIs may not work in some cases – as overused antibiotics simply don’t work!
Experts also believe that poor feminine hygiene leading to infection can have significant impact on women’s ability to conceive.
“The cost of sanitary pads has increased by close-on 20% over the past five years and we all know about the squeeze to household incomes caused by the cost-of-living crisis” continued Dr Sharma. “I know the Government has cut VAT on these items, but we must do more to provide products and reduce the stigma around asking for help when it comes to poverty and menstrual issues.”
She concluded: “The best but most challenging solution is to beat poverty altogether. That way many health issues that are costing people their lives and the country a fortune in healthcare could be reduced. But we should also be encouraging a greater dialogue on gynaecological problems and more concern for women’s health in general.”
We have produced a special page on period poverty. Please go to PERIODPOVERTY.
Pictured is Dr Sharma with the team at Upturn delivering free female hygiene products to a women’s refuge in Oldham.
Women bear the brunt of stunted life span
Our founder has reacted with horror to news that women and those in disadvantaged areas are experiencing lives shortened by health inequalities.
A new national report states that generally the UK public is living two years less.
And for females and those in poorer areas the situation is at its worst; with Britain now second bottom of the 21 leading industrial nations when it comes to rude health.
In response, Dr Anita Sharma said: “This decline has been caused by increased poverty, dwindling public services and a dis-interest from decision-makers.
Misogyny and a lack of compassion is now affecting how long people live” said the GP and author. “Take COVID for example, which ravaged the BAME community and those in poorer areas more. And indeed endometriosis, which affects one in ten women and yet little resource has been devoted to curing it or reducing the painful ten-year-wait women have for a diagnosis. If it was males in rich neighbourhoods who were being blighted, you could bet it would be very different.”
Dr Sharma has joined forces with Oldham women’s business network CROWN to issue this statement. This new initiative holds monthly meetings to discuss issues such as health, which can have such an impact on a woman’s professional life.
Their next meeting is on May 20. For more details, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crown-creating-remarkable-opportunities-for-women-network-tickets-1985379181577?aff=oddtdtcreator
Syeda's story should teach you
Presenting our latest blog, and this time it is from an inspiring professional woman, who as a teacher believes we could do far more in the classroom to raise awareness of endometriosis – go to BLOGS
Syeda (pictured) details the difficult issues she has had since being diagnosed at aged 11.
Speaking about Syeda experience, our founder Dr Anita Sharma added: “Diagnosing endometriosis in young people is fraught with challenges. The symptoms are often dismissed as typical menstrual discomfort.
The Endometriosis Awareness North Charity has a team of professionals who offer resources and support to everyone suffering with endometriosis irrespective of staging of the disease.
For us, menstrual health education in schools and colleges is an absolute priority.”
Find out what we're really about, on film
Click onto our brand new movie, detailing what Endometriosis Awareness North is all about Endometriosis Awareness North - YouTube
Featuring our treasured case study Courtney, it also gives medics a platform to call for quicker diagnosis of endometriosis.
With thanks to filmmakers Andrea Bertozzi and Pete Gibson Media.
Donate
We are registered with The Charity Commission. Our charity number is 1212676.
You can do your bit to research a cure to endo and support the one-in-ten women with the condition by going to our DONATE page.