How much did your last period cost?

[MrsCipo]

Out of interest, what did your last period cost you in monetary terms? Including san pro, pain killers, time off work, ruined clothes and anything else you had to pay for? I had a conversation about period poverty the other day, but those involved have reusable san pro, not particularly heavy periods, etc, so didn't really 'get it'. I thought a cross section sample from a lot more women would be a bit more representative. Also wondering what other costs, in addition to those above, have been missed out

Now less than £1, I am on the implant and only get very light none painful short bleeds.
When I was a teenager £5-7 a month, very heavy bleeds every 4 weeks. Pain killers as often as I could, constant changing on san pro. And more often than not I would have to replace underwear which I got stained.

No more than £2 pack of pads from bargain store. No pain to take care of. I'm severely depressed anyway so mood wise wouldn't notice I go to work daily like that.

Maybe £3 in tampons. I don't buy in to period poverty being a massive life affecting issue, it seems like the new "thing"

About £2. I use supermarket own brand lillets and use about a third of a pack of heavy/medium and light each cycle.

I have a mooncup so nothing.

Nothing. Well maybe a few pence in washing powder.
I made my own reusable pads about 10 years ago.

I don't buy in to period poverty being a massive life affecting issue, it seems like the new "thing"

Fuck's sake. It's not a new 'thing', it's just that it's only now being talked about in an open way.

I am sure period poverty is a thing but I'm also sure some period poverty is not caused by actual poverty in the family but the wife/daughter etc being the victim of financial abuse.

About £1

About £2.50. 2 packs of body form. Job done.

Bunnybigears, yes, absolutely, there are many causes of it. I think 'poverty' in this phrase relates more to a lack of sanpro, regardless of reason, than to poverty in a literal financial sense ie girls from solvent families who nonetheless are denied sanpro because of neglect/abuse/repressed attitudes about how to deal with periods etc.

Nothing this time, as I had pads and tampons left over from last month. My periods last for 5 days, only 2 of which are heavy, so I don't get through as much sanpro as I used to before the perimenopause kicked in. I'd say about a quid per month if I average it out. I only use supermarket own brand stuff.

I'm not suggesting that period poverty doesn't exist; of course it does and for many reasons.

I'm very fortunate to have relatively easy periods that are only heavy for the first 2 days, only last a week, are fairly regular despite having pcos and aren't overly painful. Because of this, I don't have to buy extra painkillers other than the paracetamol we already have in the cupboard and I don't have to use many tampons. I also don't have to take time off work, or decline work that's offered, due to period pain either.

A year ago I started to feel guilty about using those plastic applicators so switched to the cardboard ones but found that they kept squashing when I tried to use them. It doesn't matter whether they're the cheapo ones or the branded ones. Towels/pads don't work for me because all the ones I've ever tried leak everywhere. I had a mooncup ages ago but after dc2 was born it kept falling out so I stopped using it.

Now I use one of those reusable tampon applicators. I still have a massive stock of cardboard applicator tampons so I just insert one of them into the Dame applicator and then use that. I probably have enough tampons to last another month or two before having to buy more (I bought a load from Home Bargains a while ago when for some reason they were dirt cheap).

So, in answer to your original question, my last period cost me nothing and didn't have much of an impact on my life. I do realise how fortunate I am.

A couple of pounds for tampons. My periods have always lasted 3-4 days and i have never experienced cramps pre or during them. I know I am lucky.

About £4 in painkillers as I had to get one pack from the corner shop and they only had £2.50 nurofen, normally I buy the cheapest.

About £50 for 15 reusable pads about a year ago, will need to replace some soon so you could say another £4 a month. Even those need to be washed mid cycle, sometimes more than once, as I have endo and it’s heavy and long, could really do with more. Probably £1 or so in washing tabs and electricity for the washing machine per month at a guess.

This is all fine for me as I’m comfortable financially with disposable income. I support free san pro for those who aren’t.

About £6 or £7 on pads a month but that usually does 3 of us (me + 2 dd's) plus 2 packs of supermarket ibuprofen so about 90p. Some extra washing of sheets and towels, extra showers. Probably about £3.30 each (I have heavy periods and short cycle as perimenopausal)

Sanpro is so much cheaper than it used to be. My mother used to ration it and I had heavy periods so it was a nightmare, especially at school. I had to top up my pads with rolled up loo roll.
When I got a Saturday girl job at 15 she made me buy my own pads (plus pay for other things like school bus fare, clothes, a contribution to food and hot water etc). This was better in that I could buy the number of pads I needed but bad because a pack of Bodyform was about £1.29 but my wage was only £6 a day. My mum could afford sanpro she was just a very difficult, nasty person. I bet there are girls out there whose parents make them feel ashamed about periods and won't buy enough sanpro and like my mum never gave me any pocket money.

£5 in tampons. I may have stained some knickers but they just go in the wash as they would do after a days wear anyway so can't add that as a cost. I've never 'ruined' anything. I rarely take painkillers but ibuprofen is only like 20p for a pack. Never had to take a day off work for it either.
My daughter is quite heavy flow and I have bought her those period pants that help with leaks (not ones you wear on their own). But they are say £12 for three but last repeated washes.

Week off work
2 boxes of tampons
Pile of ibroprofen
Chocolate
Hot water bottle

About £4/5 on products but that will last me another couple of cycles. Painkillers just used those in the cupboard. I agree with schools stocking products as girls are not responsible for how their parents spend their money. However the term "period poverty" annoys me its poverty or neglect

Another mooncup user for at least 10 yrs. I guess I'm on 25p a month cost and falling. When I used tampons I usually managed on just 10-12/month, so could be just £1 total cost.

1 or 2 pence. another one with a moon cup and maybe 2 painkillers

Reusable pads have used for 2 years, never taken pain killers or had time off work so not much really. However much a load of washing costs.

£6 ish?

I have reusable towels but Im particular with painkillers so a pack of Neurofen Meltlets are about £4 then Panadol is £2. Usually just one packet of each will suffice.

If I get caught short my work have free Sanpro in the toilets.

Last one £0. Because I tidied my dd's room and found she'd stockpiled enough to open a pharmacy. Generally around £2 - £3.

I ask my dh to get them when shopping but because I prefer always, I guess just under £10 as I normally get the green and purple ones and I know Sainsbury's isn't cheap