Women already face several problems during that time of the month, but now they can add a shortage of period products to the list.
The baby formula shortage has shed light on just how bad supply chain problems, which have hit all consumer goods, and inflation have gotten. Now top retailers and manufacturers are acknowledging a shortage of feminine products in the United States. This confirms complaints that have been circulating on social media for months.
"I haven't seen any products in stores for months," one user posted on Reddit. "I've been ordering my tampons on Amazon and have been getting price gouged."
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Tampon prices are up significantly — nearly 10% from a year ago, Bloomberg notes.
What's causing the shortage?
The shortage stems from supply constraints around key materials like cotton and plastic, which are also used in personal protective equipment. These materials have been in high demand since the start of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine has further crimped supply because Russia and Ukraine are both major exporters of fertilizer, which is used to grow cotton.
Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble, which owns the popular Tampax and Always brands are blaming the shortage on an increased demand of products due to an Amy Schumer campaign ad, according to Time.
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The comedian, who had a hysterectomy, responded to her ad campaign being the blame in a typical joking manner.
"Whoa, I don't even have a uterus," she wrote on Instagram beneath a screenshot of a headline reading: "Why Amy Schumer is getting blamed for the national tampon shortage."
The Tampax team is "producing tampons 24/7 to meet the increased demand," A P&G representative tells CNN Business.
"We understand it is frustrating for consumers when they can't find what they need," the P&G spokeperson said in an email. "We can assure you this is a temporary situation."
"Getting raw and packed materials to the places we need to get them to continues to be costly and highly volatile," says Andre Schulten, Procter & Gamble's chief financial officer, on a recent earnings call.
Walgreens and CVS have also said that they are aware of tampon and other period product shortages in some areas. They are working with their suppliers to ensure they can restock as soon as possible.
Are there solutions?
Understandably, the shortage of period products has caused a great deal of stress for women because much like the US infant formula shortage, there's an urgency for them. It's not something women can do without. People who menstruate don't have the luxury of waiting for the shelves to be restocked.
In the meantime, these alternatives can help you get through that time of the month:
- Try a different product or brand. If you are having trouble finding your usual products, consider trying a different product or brand than the one you would normally use. Consider Kotex, who has said that it is not experiencing any shortages. “We’re working closely with our retail partners to keep shelves stocked,” the company told USA Today. Tampon users may also consider switching to pads until shelves are restocked.
- Period underwear. Period underwear are a great, environment-friendly alternative that don't require pads or tampons unless you need the extra protection. They come in a variety of designs and colors and are machine-washable.
- Menstrual cups. Patented in 1937 by actress Leona Chalmers, this is another eco-friendly option. Menstrual cups collect the blood from your period, and you dump it out every 10 to 12 hours. This means fewer trips to the bathroom. For the women fearful of accidents, try the Loon Cup, which will tell you when it needs to be changed.
- Menstrual discs. Like menstrual cups, menstrual discs are inserted and collect period blood. However, menstrual discs sit at the vaginal fornix, which is deeper into the vaginal canal making them perfect for the ladies who want to still have sex during that time of the month. Like tampons, menstrual discs are disposable and should not be reused.
- Reusable cloth pads. Twenty billion disposable pads and tampons end up in landfills every year. Cloth pads are the solution to that. These snap into the crotch of your underwear and can be worn for up to six hours like regular pads, however, they are reusable and can be tossed in the washing machine.
- Sterile gauze. We've all been in a situation where our period has caught us off guard with no pads or tampons in sight. For times like this, sterile gauze may work and it's much more absorbent than the tissue you typically use. Of course, this is a last resort, but it works great when you are in a pinch!
