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Where can I get free pads?

Here are some organizations that can help you find free menstrual supplies: Food banks, diaper banks, and shelters typically offer free menstrual products. Alliance for Period Supplies is an organization sponsored by U by Kotex. ... Some Planned Parenthood sites have menstrual aid pantries that provide free products. More items... •

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Key takeaways: Period supplies are a recurring expense for half of the population ages 12 to 52. Sanitary pads, tampons, and other products can be costly if you’re on a tight budget. There are organizations that provide free menstrual hygiene supplies to people in need. Period poverty awareness and advocacy for equal access has helped eliminate taxes on menstrual products in some locations. Several states have made period supplies free in educational institutions.



Period products are necessary for a large part of the U.S. population and people worldwide. In 2020, more than 57 million people in the U.S. used sanitary pads and napkins and about 34 million used tampons. Pads, tampons, and other menstrual hygiene products can be a costly monthly expense for menstruating people , who are typically ages 12 to 52. According to the American Medical Association, the average lifetime cost is $1,800 — the value of 17,000 tampons or pads. Plus, 1 in 4 people who need these products struggle to afford them. Period poverty is defined as a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management, or a combination of these needs. In recent years, there has been growing advocacy for equal access to menstrual hygiene products. Many people with low incomes lack menstrual hygiene supplies — often resorting to cloths, rags, toilet paper, paper towels, and even children’s diapers during their monthly cycles. In one study, COVID-19 pandemic income loss was a strong predictor of menstrual product insecurity . Lack of sanitary supplies also was closely associated with food and housing insecurity. An initiative called Period Law (a legacy of the now-defunct Period Equity ) aims to end the “tampon tax” — as sales taxes on menstrual products are known. The effort also advocates for the wide availability of free and safe menstrual supplies. The push for menstrual equity has progressed in the U.S. At the time of publication, 28 states (including 5 with no sales tax) and the District of Columbia do not tax tampons and pads.

If I am a student, can I get free period products in schools?

Yes. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies , some states have laws that require certain schools to provide free menstrual products by the 2022-2023 academic year. At the time of publication, those states include:

Alabama

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Hawaii

Illinois

Maine

Maryland

Nevada

New Hampshire

New York

Oregon

Rhode Island

Tennessee

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Utah

Virginia

Washington

What’s more, several states offer funding for free menstrual products but don’t have a mandate for schools to offer those supplies. They are:

Georgia

North Carolina

Missouri

How do I get free tampons and other period products?

Here are some organizations that can help you find free menstrual supplies :

Food banks, diaper banks, and shelters typically offer free menstrual products.

Alliance for Period Supplies is an organization sponsored by U by Kotex. If you or someone you know needs period supplies, text 211 or visit 211.org to find a location near you that offers free tampons and pads. They are associated with food banks and diaper banks in more than 120 locations across the country.

Some Planned Parenthood sites have menstrual aid pantries that provide free products.

#HappyPeriod is a Black-led nonprofit organization that provides menstrual hygiene kits to people all over the country. The group aims to support people with low incomes, including the unhoused. It also offers menstrual education to teens. Women In Training is an Alabama-based menstrual equity and education nonprofit that engages youth, people with low-incomes, and nonbinary people. Founded by twin sisters, the organization provides kits that include menstrual supplies and other hygiene items. She Supply makes sure that unhoused women in north Texas have adequate supplies to maintain dignity and cleanliness. The organization assists volunteers in throwing porch parties to collect donated period products. Free The Period is a student-led movement working to end period poverty in California’s K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.

What other menstrual products can I get for free?

Along with tampons and pads, you also can also find liners, menstrual cups, and period underwear for free depending on an organization’s sponsors and donations.

Tips for cutting costs on period products

Although many states have gotten rid of the tax on period products, the costs can still add up. Here are some ways to save money on period products : Switch to generic products: Store-brand supplies are generally less expensive than the brand names. Buy in bulk: Buying larger quantities can cost more upfront. But it can be cheaper in the long run because the price per item is less. Buy online: You may be able to access savings online that aren’t available in stores.

Hunt for discounts: Use coupons and track sales at your local retailers.

Use your FSA or HSA: You can use your flexible spending account ( FSA ) or your health savings accounts ( HSA ) to buy menstrual products with pre-tax dollars. Try period underwear: This fairly new product is washable and reusable. Period panties can be cost-effective and long-term alternatives to disposable period products. You might want to try one pair to make sure these underwear work for you, because they can be pricey.

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What can I do if I run out of tampons or pads?

If you run out of period products and can’t afford more — or haven’t found a source for free products — you have some options:

Toilet paper and paper towels can be used in an emergency.

Diapers can substitute as makeshift pads.

Rags or old clothes can be used as a last resort.

Why aren’t period products free for everyone?

They are in at least one country. We’ll discuss that later. Period stigma is one reason that period products are not free. Shame is associated with having a monthly cycle, which prevents people from addressing menstruation as a public health issue and sharing information. This lack of dialogue contributes to access issues and the tampon tax. In addition to free supplies in U.S. schools and a growing number of states banning the tampon tax, there has been progress. In October 2022, CVS Health lowered the price of its store-brand period products by 25% and absorbed the sales tax on menstrual supplies in 12 states. What’s more, Scotland became the first country in the world to offer free menstrual health products to anyone who needs them in response to the global effort to end period poverty. Since August 2022, free menstrual supplies have been offered in public spaces including community centers, pharmacies, and youth clubs. The bottom line Menstrual hygiene supplies are not luxuries, but basic needs for dignity. Period products can be costly and going without is called period poverty. Even so, you can get free tampons, pads, liners, cups, and period underwear in many places — including schools in some U.S. states. Some states have even gotten rid of sales taxes on period products. In addition to nonprofit organizations that provide supplies to people in need, free menstrual products are often available at food pantries and diaper banks. To save money when you shop, choose store brands, buy in bulk, use coupons, look for discounts online, or access sales in stores.

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