Last month, I found myself in the kind of situation you wouldn’t want to be in—emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder. Now, that ordeal was dramatic enough. But this story isn't about the surgery itself. It's about a moment, a little window, that opened my eyes to something that should be considered a basic human right: access to period products.
To set the stage, let’s talk about my period. When it comes, it comes with a vengeance. Without diving into too many graphic details, let's just say it’s beyond heavy. Given my history, I went into surgery wearing a super pad, thinking that would tide me over. But it didn’t occur to me that I'd need to bring spares—who expects a hospital not to have basic sanitary products?
Lying in the recovery room, I started feeling the telltale signs of breakthrough bleeding. A clotting kind of situation. I turned to the nurses and said, “I’m really sorry, but I’m going to need to change. Do you have a spare pad?”
To my surprise, they returned to me with options that were nothing short of baffling. Option one was what they described as a “pad” but was actually a strip of gauze with no backing, which wouldn’t stand a chance against my heavy flow. Option two was an adult diaper that didn’t fit properly. I was horrified. How, in an Australian hospital, could I be in this position—asking for something as basic as a pad and finding there wasn’t one available?
Lying there, post-surgery, in a vulnerable state, I had two choices: a flimsy strip that would last five seconds or an ill-fitting diaper that felt degrading. Thankfully, I have friends and family who could rush out to buy what I needed, once I got back to the ward. But what if I didn’t? What about the women who don’t have anyone to turn to for help in such a situation? They’re left alone, vulnerable, with options that are either unhygienic or humiliating.
This experience left me angry, bewildered, and deeply saddened. Our healthcare system failed to provide even the most basic menstrual products, leaving women to fend for themselves in moments of extreme vulnerability. And let’s be clear: this isn't just about periods. It’s about dignity, respect, and the right to basic human needs.
While our organisation, is dedicated to supporting women as they transition through later phases of life, this experience was a stark reminder that our work isn’t limited to periods or menopause. It’s about advocating for dignity—for the recognition that period products are not luxuries or extras but essentials.
For me, this was a wake-up call. No woman, at any age or stage, should have to face such an undignified choice in a place meant for healing. And as we move forward, we want to keep raising awareness, pushing for change, and supporting the fight for access to basic menstrual care in all public facilities. It’s time we start treating period products for what they are: a basic human right.
If this story resonated with you and you feel as passionate as we do, Share the Dignity is an Australian charity that believes no woman should have to endure period poverty. Please show them your support!
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