Health risk 60 per cent of high schoolers with a uterus forced to take

A new report shows the serious health risks period poverty is making high school students take.

Health risk 60 per cent of high schooners forced to take. Image: iStock

New research has revealed that period poverty is a huge problem in Australia high schools, affecting 60 per cent of students with their periods.

A joint report from period poverty charity Share The Dignity and Queensland University of Technology surveyed over 350 Australians who menstruate.

Over 20 per cent of respondents who are high school-aged said they wore period products for longer than the recommended four hours, because of the cost. Doing so risks leaks, irritation, odour, infection and toxic shock syndrome.

Founder of Share the Dignity Rochelle Courtenay. Picture: Tara Croser

Further to that, nearly 40 per cent have reported the need to DIY alternatives because pads and tampons were simply too expensive. Some makeshift period products were made out of tissue, cloth, paper, and socks.

In a statement, QUT researcher Dr Ruth Knight said: “The findings show many women may be at risk of poor menstrual health as they find it challenging to afford period products, or cannot speak openly about how menstruation affects them socially, physically, or mentally.”

A compounding problem was found to be school attendance rates, with 20 per cent of high school aged people who were menstruating reporting they missed school during their period ‘often or sometimes’.

QUT researcher Dr Ruth Knight. Picture: supplied

“No one should miss out on an education due to their period,” said Share the Dignity founder and managing director, Rochelle Courtenay. “It is so important period poverty doesn’t impact student’s schooling.”

In March, 30 schools around in western Sydney and Dubbo trialled free sanitary products for their students, for two terms ahead of a planned wider rollout and Women’s Minister Bronnie Taylor made the joint announcement on Monday.

“It’s important no female student feels like they can’t fully participate in all aspects of school life because they do not have access to menstrual hygiene products,” said NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell in a statement.

NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell. Picture: Jeremy Piper/NCA NewsWire

“I want to make sure there are no barriers to education for female students just because they get periods. Once the pilot is finished we can look at how we roll this service out to all schools in the state.”

Earlier this month, Scotland became the first country in the world to implement legislation for free period products those in need. They’ll be available in schools, cafes, community facilities and more.

Originally published as Health risk 60 per cent of high schoolers with a uterus forced to take