Ladies, here's how much your period costs you over your lifetime
PUBLISHED ONJune 27, 2019 9:42 AMByJeanne Mah
Sanitary napkins, menstrual Panadol, and chocolate - these are some of the essential items for any woman when her time of the month comes.
Most women experience more than 30 years of menstrual bleeding. Assuming that a woman experiences her first period at age 12 and undergoes menopause at age 45, this translates to 396 months of extra expenditure that comes with a biological function they cannot control.
In an effort to recognise and quantify some of the noble sacrifices women undergo, here's an accounting on how much do periods cost women over the span of a lifetime.
1. SANITARY PADS/TAMPONS (TOTAL COST: ~$4,752)
Popular brands of sanitary pads and tampons can be quite expensive. We've compiled some of these brands in the table below. For sanitary pads, Natracare is the costliest, at $1.07 per piece at the time of our research. Similarly, tampons from Tampax cost about $0.60 each.
SANITARY PADS
TAMPONS
A typical period lasts 5 days. One would typically use 3 to 5 pads or tampons a day, depending on your flow. In a year, the average cost of pads or tampons use (assuming each piece is $0.60) is already $144. In a span of 33 years, a woman would have spent about $4,752.
The worst part is, you can't choose not to buy pads or tampons if you want to still function normally in daily life. These are a necessity - there's no two ways about it.
2. PANTY LINERS (TOTAL COST: ~$475.20)
Before or after your period, one might experience more discharge than usual. The way to combat this would be to use panty liners. Those who are prone to high discharges might also prefer wearing a panty liner every day.
Panty liners cost about $0.10 per piece.
Assuming in one month, one uses 2 panty liners a day for 6 days (3 days before your period and 3 days after), the total cost in a year will be $14.40. In 33 years, one would have spent $475.20.
3. PINK PANADOL (NUROFEN) (TOTAL COST: ~$547.80)
A lifesaver when experiencing cramps, this small but powerful pill does not come cheap. A box of 20 typically costs $8.30.
Assuming you use one box every 6 months, in one year, it'll set you back at $16.60. In 33 years, the cost is a hefty $547.80.
4. HEAT PACKS (TOTAL COST ~$66)
A heat pack is like a good friend to hug while you are lying in bed in pain, wondering what you did to deserve menstrual cramps.
The cost of a silicone heat pack typically ranges from $8 to $17 and should last for at least five years. Even assuming a modest cost of $10 per heat pack, in 33 years, it would cost a total of $66.
5. OTHERS (TOTAL COST: ~$11,715)
| Item | Total Cost |
| Chocolates | Chocolate contains magnesium which can help alleviate cramps and increase energy. $6 per month 33 years = $2,376 |
| Ginger tea & herbal soups | Ginger tea helps stimulate blood flow in the pelvic region and uterus. Some Chinese herbal soups help nourish your body, especially after blood loss. $10 per month 33 years = $3,960 |
| Menstrual Leakproof underwear | It is a good habit to change your menstrual underwear every 6 months as they tend to become loose after some time. $15 for 1 piece, 2 pieces a year 33 years = $990 |
| New bedsheets | If you are unable to wash off the stains on your bedsheets, it might be time to buy new ones. $50 for 1 set, 1 set a year 33 years = $1,650 |
| Acne Medication | Experiencing breakouts before or during your period is normal as your body adapts to hormonal changes. $10 for 1 tube, 1 tube a year 33 years = $330 |
| Shampoo for oily scalp | Heightened progesterone levels can result in excess sebum production and hence the level of oil production in your scalp. $15 for 1 bottle, 4 bottles a year 33 years = $1,980 |
| Feminine wash | Feminine wash helps prevent itches in the vagina and any potential infections that could arise. $13 for 1 bottle, 1 bottle a year 33 years = $429 |
| Total Cost: $11,715 | |
HIGH COST OF NECESSARY GOODS
The total financial cost that a woman needs to pay because of her period over 33 years is a whopping $17,556 at minimum.
If you were to experience menopause at 55, you would have to factor in another 10 years' worth of costs. Other factors that could alter the total cost include pregnancy and visits to the doctor for medical conditions such as infections.
This cost also doesn't account for inflation. As such, the actual cost women will be paying is likely to be much higher than the $17,556 figure.
These financial costs aside, let's not neglect the physical and mental struggle women undergo because of their menstruation, and the opportunity cost of time women incur due to decreased productivity at work, or missing work completely due to severe cramps.
With that in mind, we can all do our part to be more supportive and appreciative of the women in our lives!
This article was first published in Dollars and Sense.
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