How Periods Work
This is how much blood a person loses in an average period.
two tablespoons
“Period poverty” refers to the lack of access to these essential items.
period products
This product looks like a pad but is thinner
(panty) liner
A myth suggests that this animal you might encounter while camping is attracted to menstrual blood.
This invention, now a common period product, was first patented by Dr. Earle Haas in 1931.
the tampon
This hormone helps thicken the lining of the uterus each month.
estrogen
This term describes the movement to make sure that everyone has access to period products.
“period equity”
This menstrual product is shaped like a flat circle and is placed in the vaginal canal.
menstrual disc
This popular reusable menstrual product is shaped like a cup and can be used when going swimming while on your period.
menstrual cup
This Canadian province was the first to mandate free period products in schools.
British Columbia
Most menstrual cycles last about this long.
28 days
This is the year that the Canadian government removed taxes from all period products.
2015
This is a disposable menstrual product that sticks to underwear and comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses.
a pad
This is the best practice for disposing of used menstrual products while camping to avoid leaving waste in nature.
packing out used products
This Canadian organization was founded in 2004 and works to improve menstrual health and access to menstrual products.
The Period Purse
This phase of the menstrual cycle occurs when the body sheds the lining of the uterus.
menstrual phase
This term is often used to describe the taboo nature of talking about periods.
“period stigma”
This reusable menstrual product was invented in the 1930s.
menstrual cup
This is a popular menstrual product to use while camping on your period because it doesn’t create waste and requires no maintenance.
period underwear
In 2015, this country became the first in the world to make period products available for free in all public spaces.
Scotland