During the coronavirus pandemic, a pad or tampon is as 'essential' as soap or a toothbrush

In recent years, periods have become more political than ever. With campaigns to end period tax and lobbying the government to provide free period products to some of those most vulnerable throughout the UK, we appear to be increasingly engaged in menstruation matters. However, the outbreak of Covid-19 and subsequent social distancing measures have exacerbated ongoing issues around menstrual products and periods, a cycle that a significant proportion of the population experiences each month.

In my capacity working for the Vagina Museum, the world’s first bricks-and-mortar museum dedicated to gynaecological anatomy, we were getting direct messages from multiple people in the initial weeks of the Covid-19 sanctions asking for help. Not only were there no pads or tampons on shop shelves due to panic buying, but also many people could no longer afford them due to loss of earnings. We also had reports from individuals flagging that access to the free period items they had previously found through their place of work or education was now gone. All of this has led to a rise in period poverty.

What was the commercial response to the Covid-19 menstrual product shortage in stores?

Well, certain Boots stores quickly declared that they were now only allowing purchases of “essential items” including soap, medicine and baby formula, but there was no mention of any menstrual products. And Boots responded that they would be “looking into the situation” and removed said sign when flagged to them, but their actions highlighted the fact that menstrual products are still treated as a luxury and not a necessity.

But it’s not just physical stores perpetuating the issue. Throughout the initial weeks of social distancing, Amazon UK also classed menstrual products as a non-essential purchase (since rectified), and as a result we received messages from a number of people telling us there was four to six-week minimum wait.

People will argue that perhaps we should be better stocked and better prepared for our periods to avoid these types of scenarios, but with 27 per cent of the UK population unable to afford period products, this is easier said than done. Many cannot buy multiples of any items, let alone menstrual products, and are increasingly having to prioritise food and other supplies.

PHS have since confirmed they would continue to distribute free menstrual products to schools and colleges throughout the UK as part of the Free Period Product Provision scheme, however, this was still reliant on the schools and colleges actually submitting orders for the free menstrual products to be delivered. That barrier has existed since its launch and the scheme is likely being classed as non-essential tasks for school administrators during this crisis.

The majority of people I have interacted with are in need of schemes that distribute free products into communities, such as the Take What You Need scheme implemented by Bloody Good Period. The speed and rate at which these enquiries came in immediately flagged the vulnerability of a large proportion of the population.

Despite the amazing work of a number of charities and organisations working towards period equality, there is still a long way to go the ensure everyone who bleeds can do so in a supported and affordable way.

Sarah Creed is a curator and activist based in London, currently curator of the Vagina Museum in Camden, London.

The Vagina Museum is closed for the foreseeable due to Covid-19 and has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to ensure it can reopen as soon as possible. More information about this appeal and the work of the museum can be found at www.vaginamuseum.co.uk