Have you had a hard time finding your go-to tampon brand recently? Theyre also made in different styles for different gender expressions, so you can find everything from lace-trimmed cheeky briefs to boxers. Tampons and menstrual pads are the most recent items falling victim to shortages in 2022. Simply put, free bleeding is bleeding without the use of a tampon, pad, panty liner or other disposable product. But the shortage may also be vulnerable to another element of product shortages: panic buying, or what Instacart, the delivery service that employs someone else to do your shopping for you, called "stock-up behavior." Edgewell produces Playtex and O.B. A win win! Cassandra Stone
But unlike disposable pads, these ones, usually made of cloth, are made to be washed and worn again. Tracy said GladRags has faced its own supply issues, although using local manufacturing has helped alleviate that. 
Here's what we know about what companies are saying about the tampon shortage, what different kinds of menstrual care products (like period underwear) exist and more. In the meantime, alternative products are more accessible than ever, though they arent immune to supply chain issues either. Dana Marlowe, the founder of I Support the Girls, says the organization has received half as many tampons this year compared to the same time last year, and over 60% fewer donations compared to 2020. A Procter & Gamble spokesperson also said theres been increased demand thanks to an ad campaign featuring comedian Amy Schumer (which turned into its own joke), but its not the only tampon maker having troubles. "If a local store is temporarily out of specific products, we work to replenish those items as quickly as possible," the spokesperson said. Like cups, they are a more environmentally friendly option because theres no waste. Do you want to create your own online store? 
Now there is a Tampon shortage! The combination of tampon shortages and increasing prices for the product is leaving some users in a bind, Dr. Cybill Ruth Esguerra, assistant professor of gynecology and obstetrics at John Hopkins Medicine, told The Hill in an email. According to a report from Bloomberg, citing NielsenIQ, the average price for a box of tampons rose 9.8% in the year leading up to May 28. Typically, tampons have a shelf life of around five years, and you're not supposed to use them once they're expired. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. 
All rights reserved. According to Rogers, a myriad of factors are contributing to the shortage. tampons as well as Stayfree and Carefree pads and liners. Some have taken to social media to voice their frustrations over the supply shortage of the menstrual product. Just search KOAA News5, download, and start watching. "We are working with our retail partners to maximize availability, which has significantly increased over the last several months. Hanna said higher demand for the materials has also inflated prices, leading manufacturers later to raise their own prices to maintain their margins. However, rather than going through boxes of tampons, you only need one menstrual cup and it can be reused each cycle. says Renee Beebe, the Executive Director of Crossfire Ministries in Colorado Springs. They offer a subscribe and save and best of all, each purchase gives health education and pads to girls who need them. According to Time, Procter & Gamble, which makes Tampax, said it was having issues sourcing raw materials. Their applicator free tampons are comparable in price to competitors but without all the chemicals. "Cotton is one of they keys to the whole shortage because, obviously, it's a key component to tampons, or pads, or whatever it is," says Zac Rogers, an Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management at Colorado State University. All of our products are made to last a minimum of five years, although we have plenty of customers who've been using them for much longer, so once you have them, youre all set for your monthly period needs, she says. and Playtex, said in a statement. America to moms: Best of luck with all that!
Tampons and menstrual pads are the most recent items falling victim to shortages in 2022. (Or see this as a sign to try a menstrual cup or period undies!). Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. ", A spokesperson for Kimberly-Clark, which produces the popular U by Kotex brand, said that the company isn't experiencing a product or supply shortage, however.. Heres what consumers are looking for as tampon alternatives, and the DTC brands that sell them. This will be delightful! one user tweeted. These cups (popular brands include Diva, Cora and Lunette) are reusable, usually rubber or silicone, and seal around the cervix, collecting the menstrual blood from your uterus before it leaves your body. Several makers of tampons, like Procter & Gamble and Edgewell Personal Care, have acknowledged the lack of the feminine hygiene products on the shelves. COLORADO SPRINGSThere is no shortage of shortages. And unlike some other products with shortages or price increases due to inflation, period products arent optional for those who menstruate. Its become more expensive to have a period. She's from the Midwest, studied investigative reporting at the Missouri School of Journalism and is now based in NYC. tampons, told the BBC its supply is being impacted by COVID-19-related workforce shortages. If you have an IUD but want to try a menstrual cup, talk to your doctor about the best cup to use, and how to use it safely. 1998 - 2022 Nexstar Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Pads may be the preferred choice for people with very heavy periods (sometimes in addition to a tampon) and others have difficulty inserting a tampon. So we'll see it happen, but you know the cotton needs to grow first.". Edgewell pointed to workforce shortages from COVID-19 as one of the reasons why their inventory and production have been impacted. "In the event a local store experiences a temporary product shortage, our teams have a process in place to replenish supply.".
Period underwear, or period panties, are underwear built with an absorbent layer. The shortage of raw goods like cotton and rayon have driven up prices. Simply put, there are high standards for manufacturing tampons and their materials because people use them internally every month for roughly a week., In addition to the possibility that some brands of pads may also be harder to find right now, many people need to use tampons when they're swimming or exercising, for example. Now its tampons. Others may find the feel of a pad uncomfortable., Some people choose to use pads and not tampons. Instacart Trends Expert Laurentia Romaniuk said in a statement that the company is beginning to see "tampon turbulence" in response to the shortage., "To help locate in-stock tampons, women can utilize Instacart's universal search functionality and type 'tampons' into the search bar within the app to quickly search across all stores in their area," Romaniuk said. They may feel uncomfortable leaving the privacy of their home while theyre on their period, which interferes with work and life.. Smaller period-care companies may also be affected as customers start turning to newer tampon brands while their regular brand is out of stock. And thats been very much disturbed.. By June 13, 2022. There's a learning curve on how to insert it, but many people who try menstrual cups swear they'll never go back. Additionally, tampon prices are up 10% from a year ago, according to Bloomberg. The White House underscores the seriousness of the formula shortage: A critically important issue, CoCoMelons Live Tour is comingheres where and when you can see JJ and the gang, Jennifer Garners beauty advice to her daughters is what we all need to hear right now, TBH, Wren Eleanor TikTok controversy inspires moms everywhere to remove kids from social media. ), Procter & Gamble said in an April earnings call that sourcing and transportation of the materials needed for tampons have been "costly and highly volatile," according to many media reports. Because they sit outside of your body rather than inside, there's not the big sterility issue tampons carry., The FDA discourages against reusable tampons because they may carry an increased risk of fungal and bacterial infections, and no reusable tampons have been cleared by the agency for safety. Between this and the infant formula shortage, the publicspecifically birthing and menstruating peoplehave been left abandoned by companies and the supply chain when it comes to being able to access basic resources. And she said there is likely higher seasonal demand for tampons because people wear more tampons in the summer during activities like swimming, for example. As the first organic and natural menstrual care brand, Natracares products are all made from renewable, biodegradable and compostable materialsno plastic ever. As Time pointed out, tampons are made with cotton and rayon, two materials that have been in high-demand for personal protective equipment throughout the pandemic. You can shop around to find the best size of menstrual cup for your body and heavy, medium or light flow. In the meantime, there are alternatives to tampons and pads that you should be aware of. Hanna also said there are not enough truckers to both deliver those raw materials to plants and later deliver the finished products to retailers. Additionally, Rogers says many farmers chose to produce wheat instead of cotton when the war began because it would be more profitable. Only the National Bureau of Economic Research gets to decide, GOP senators are skeptical damaged Trump can win in 2024, according to NielsenIQ, Bloomberg reported, Man arrested for allegedly making bomb threat against Arizona state election official, More missing texts, this time from Trump DHS officials, raise new Jan. 6 questions. Got picky eater power struggles? ), Menstrual discs are a similar concept to cups, and they come disposable or reusable. By entering your email, you agree to receive marketing emailsfromShopify. Estimates on how popular tampons are compared with other menstrual products vary, but up to 70% of menstruating people in the US use tampons, by one count. Fortunately, we make our products locally here in Portland, Oregon, so weve been able to keep our products in stock and flowing to our customers, rather than stuck in ports.. "We can assure you this is a temporary situation. Apparently theres a tampon shortage because being a woman wasnt already a big enough pain in the a, quipped another user on Twitter. Jessica is a Wellness News Writer who wants to help people stay informed about their health. (While toxic shock syndrome is rare, using a higher-absorbencytampon than you need may be a risk factor for developing TSS.) Pricie Hanna is a founding partner of the Price Hanna Consultants firm, which focuses on key raw materials and nonwoven and hygiene absorbent items, among others.
Brands have said these shortages are temporary, and theyre working to bring supply back up. Look professional and help customers connect with your business, Find a domain, explore stock images, and amplify your brand, Use Shopifys powerful features to start selling, Sell at retail locations, pop-ups, and beyond, Transform an existing website or blog into an online store, Provide fast, smooth checkout experiences, Reach millions of shoppers and boost sales, Sell your products wholesale to retailers from across the US, Reach buyers in new markets with international selling tools, Get paid faster, avoid monthly fees, and manage your finances. Disposable tampons and pads are the most common menstrual products youll see on store shelves, but theyre far from the only options. But why exactly is the United States seeing a supply chain shortage with tampons, and why now? "We're working closely with our retail partners to keep shelves stocked," they said, adding that the company is on track to donate more than 6 million period products to the Alliance for Period Supplies, a nonprofit that distributes period products to those who can't afford them. He says economists predicted a higher level of cotton production in 2022 than in 2021. Crossfire Ministries provides free food, clothes, feminine hygiene products, and anything else people struggling financially may need. "Getting raw and packed materials to the places we need to get them to continues to be costly and highly volatile," said Andre Schulten, Procter & Gamble's chief financial officer, on a recent earnings call, per CNN. ), Read more: Menstrual Cups, Panties and Organic Tampons: 5 Brands Making Your Period Easier. The Tampon Shortage of 2022 and What Consumers Are Doing About It, facing the same supply chain and labor issues, ad campaign featuring comedian Amy Schumer, Home Business Ideas You Can Start on the Side, Things to Make and Sell: The Business of DIY, Print-On-Demand Services for Selling Your Own Custom Products, How to Find a Manufacturer or Supplier for Your Product Idea, T-Shirt Templates and Mockups For Your Clothing Line, Cheapest Way to Ship a Package: Beginner's Guide, How to Measure a Box for ShippingDimensions & Instructions, How To Find the Right Supplier for Your Business, How This LGBTQ Book Store Moved From Online to IRL, Shipping Shopping: 8 Types of Shipping and What They Mean for Your Business. We invite you to join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter. Whatever their reason, people choose and know the menstrual products that best suit their bodies and their lifestyles. And shoppers trying to fill those requests dipped down to a 67% found rate, which is the lowest rate for tampons since April 2020 at the very beginning of efforts to address the pandemic in the US.. McCarthy says he does not recall Jan. Watch live: Karine Jean-Pierre holds press briefing, Watch live: Pelosi holds weekly press conference, Watch live: Trump speaks in Washington, DC, Watch live: White House Summit on the Future of COVID-19 Vaccines. "We have been operating our manufacturing facilities around the clock to build back inventory and anticipate returning to normal levels in the coming weeks," the spokesperson said. If you get periods, you know better than anyone the products that work for you, and chances are you have a favorite brand. Tampon prices rose nearly 10% in one year, according to a Bloomberg report, and the price for pads went up by more than 8%., "We can assure you this is a temporary situation, and the Tampax team is producing tampons 24/7 to meet the increased demand for our products," P&G told CNET. While the price for a box of tampons is likely higher than you'd find on a drugstore shelf, August says its tampons are 100% organic and fully biodegradable., Cora tampons and period products are also organic and available online, though the company noted that a big increase in demand for them might affect supply in the coming months. The impacts could be greater for low-income individuals who are not able to afford tampon alternatives, such as menstrual cups. The war in Ukraine may also be affecting raw material prices and availability. Weve got a class that can help! Some tampon manufacturers are experiencing supply chain issues, so many products may be harder to find on store shelves. Great! Meanwhile, nonprofits that provide people in need with free feminine hygiene products are hoping they will be able to maintain stock. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. https://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/3ciBRI5YeR, Good Morning America (@GMA) June 13, 2022, CVS tellsUSA Todaythe store is trying to keep shelves stocked: "We're working with our suppliers to meet the current demand forfeminine care products," spokesman Matt Blanchette said in a statement to the outlet. If stains are a concern, you can lay a towel down or wear old and/or dark underwear. They have to make some hard decisions, some gut-wrenching decisions - Do I buy the tampons? There's another concern. Whether you're able to get your preferred tampon brand (or any tampon that'll do) may depend on where you live and which store you frequent.. Suppliers haven't been able to fulfill the full orders placed by each company, resulting in sparsely stocked shelves and higher prices for tampons and other period products. Several tampon manufacturers have confirmed that they are indeed facing supply issues in 2022, leading to a tampon shortage. The Hill has removed its comment section, as there are many other forums for readers to participate in the conversation. Get free online marketing tips and resources delivered directly to your inbox. A spokesperson for the company said in a statement that workforce issues caused by omicron surges in two different countries -- the first in a US manufacturing facility in late 2021, and the second in early 2022 that impacted a Canadian supplier -- had an effect on inventory.
Fewer workers means fewer tampons being produced and making it to stores. "They're using cardboard and duct tape, ripped-up sheets," she said. Shopify Shipping vs ShippingEasy: What should you use for your ecommerce store? Find a niche or business idea and get started, Practical steps for starting a business from scratch, Learn the 11 steps to starting a business, Start a business selling in-demand products, Everything you need to know about selling t-shirts, Sell customized products without holding inventory, Learn about dropshipping and how it works. Decreased access to menstrual supplies can be a significant stressor for women, she said. ", If you are able to donate items to Crossfire Ministries, you can get involved here._____. Try Shopify free for 14 days, no credit cardrequired. 2022 CNET, a Red Ventures company.
"Cotton is one of the keys to the whole shortage because, obviously, it's a key component to tampons, or pads, or whatever it is," says Zac Rogers, an Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management at Colorado State University. Generally speaking, it's a good idea to sterilize (or purchase already sterile) any product you put in your vagina. Kinzinger slams McCarthy over Hutchinson comment: I dont trust a thing he says, Last Uvalde victim injured in shooting discharged from San Antonio hospital, The institution of marriage cannot be erased, Regular Joes and elites should team up against special interests, Biden administration falls into blame game with local authorities over monkeypox response, Biden takes a big gamble to secure Griner, Whelans release from Russia, Is there a recession? If you're in a pinch and need to stock up, try these! Typically made of soft silicone, menstrual cups are inserted to collect period blood and then can be removed, washed, sterilized, and reused. While getting started with period underwear may be a little pricier than buying a box of tampons if you buy a few pairs to get you through your period (a good pair of period underwear starts around $14), you'll save money in the long run., There are a variety of brands to choose from and they're made to suit people of all sizes with all types of flow. The answer is the perfect storm of supply chain issues, inflation, labor shortages and possibly higher demand due to seasonal usage. Weve seen a lot of delays and price increases in the cost of materials, she says. However, that prediction was proven wrong due in part to the war in Ukraine, drought conditions in high-agriculture states including Texas, and an increased level of cotton being exported to China. As well, prices are up for applicator components like plastic. Tracy from GladRags said these products eliminate disposable waste, cost less in the long run, and are comfier too. I Support the Girls, an organization that provides menstrual products for people experiencing economic hardship, has seen a huge drop in product donations in recent monthsmeaning the shortage may have been going on for longer than most people realize. The Growth Strategy HVMN Used to Break Beyond Their Niche, Simple and Low Cost Ways to Build a Memorable Brand Identity, Boost Sales with Digital Lookbooks and Lifestyle Photography. But keep in mind that the overall demand (and possible panic-buying) may start affecting the stock of these companies, too., Augustsells sustainable period-care products online, including tampons. Theres a formula shortage. While they continue to have products, the spokesperson added, it may only be specific brands for the duration of the supply disruption. One of your options is to switch temporarily to a disposable menstrual pad. Build your business with confidence. In a statement to CNET, a spokesperson for Walmart said that the retail giant is "not experiencing a shortage" and isn't out of stock of menstrual products, including tampons. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. , There are a few names that dominate the drug store shelves, but you can also get tampons elsewhere from newer, smaller or organic period-care companies, sold mostly online. Audrey Goodson Kingo (@AudreyNGoodson) June 9, 2022. Tampons are regulated as medical devices by the US Food and Drug Administration, and tampons that are cleared are typically made out of cotton, rayon or both. (L, another maker of organic tampons, is out of stock, according to itswebsite. So theres no need to worry about whats on grocery shelves.. ", Related: The White House underscores the seriousness of the formula shortage: A critically important issue. Production, and therefore inventory, of these products was impacted due to extensive workforce shortages caused by two separate Omicron surges in the U.S. and Canada in late 2021 and early 2022, respectively, the tampon manufacturer, whose brands include o.b. If you've been searching high and low for tampons and other period products, you're not alone. Its reusable and quite durable, lasting in some cases for years. And no one can say for sure precisely when these dire situations will improve. Ukraine is a major exporter of fertilizer but operations stopped when the war with Russia started, meaning farmers were unable to get fertilizer in order to grow cotton. While many people who menstruate probably would use one in a pinch, they're made to go into your body and stay there for a while, and going against their designed use can open you up to harmful infections like toxic shock syndrome., As Tampax puts it on its website: "Obviously, tampons won't deteriorate immediately once five years is up, but bacteria and small particles of mold can find their way into your tampons after they've expired.". The newest essential care shortage that primarily affects women (the other being thebaby formula shortage) impacts roughly34 million peoplein the US who use tampons.