San José State offers free menstrual products for students but it may not be meeting students’ needs.
The Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021 requires that all schools in the California State University system (CSU) provide an adequate amount of menstrual products, according to the California Legislative Information bill.
Avalon Allen, a fourth year public relations student, believes that SJSU can do more to support menstruating students.
“I think SJSU should not only provide a wider range of period products, but also be more (inclusive) toward the struggles that menstruating folks might endure,” Allen said.
The menstrual products provided by public institutions must be accessible to students by making them free and providing them around campus, according to the 2021 bill.
“I think it's also pertinent that SJSU provides as (many) resources as possible for their students to be able to attend class or school,” Allen said. “I know many people who've had to skip out on an event because their period started and they don't have the proper menstrual products on hand to deal with it.”
Menstruation can lead to several significant medical issues like premenstrual dysphoric disorder and premenstrual syndrome, according to an Office on Women’s Health page.
SJSU alumna Varsha Ponnuraj said that the quality of the products provided by the school were poor.
“The lack of options was very disappointing because everyone has a different flow and it felt as though the university did not put much thought into it,” Ponnuraj said.
Jessica Short, the Gender Equity Center program coordinator, believes these products aren’t the best fit for students.
“Menstrual products are really expensive but comfort is very important so if we’re cheaping out on the products we buy for campus, like the products that are in those metal boxes,” Short said. “That’s like providing an emergency solution for someone who doesn’t have that product on them.”
Period poverty means not being able to afford and access menstrual products, sanitation and hygiene facilities which is caused by the stigma surrounding menstruation and the high cost of products, according to a May 24, UN Women article.
Ponnuraj believes that every restroom should be equipped with enough products, especially for students who can’t afford them.
Something else that causes period poverty is the “tampon tax” on menstrual products which classifies them as “luxury products,” making them more expensive, according to an Alliance for PERIOD supplies article.
“That issue of stigma and access feed each other because if there’s stigma around something and people are afraid to talk about it, then nobody talks about it and nobody knows that the resources are needed,” Short said.
Although there are over 2 billion people who menstruate around the world every month, millions of menstruators cannot afford menstrual products, according to a UN Women article.
Short said SJSU has pads and tampons available for students free of charge at multiple locations on campus. Several centers, such as the PRIDE Center and the Gender Equity Center provide pads, tampons and liners from the company Aunt Flow.
“Feeling miserable all day because of your period because of the products you’re using doesn’t enhance your ability to do well in school, at your job and everything else,” Short said.
This tax is still present in more than 20 states and many cities and counties impose local sales tax, according to the same article.
“These diagnoses can cause people a huge amount of pain, distress, lethargy, depression and more,” Allen said. “I personally wish that SJSU was more aware and understanding towards these issues and would provide disability accommodations for them.”
Pads absorb moisture from period flow, creating a higher risk of bacteria and fungi forming, especially if you are wearing a pad for longer than it’s meant to be used, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention page.
“We know that using products that might cause skin irritation for you or just feel(ing) uncomfortable leads to a lot of negative outcomes and can lead to things like UTIs and bacterial vaginosis,” Short said.
Short believes that people who cannot afford menstrual products are forced to use the bad options that are available to them.
Premenstrual syndrome can lead to extreme fatigue, tiredness, difficulty with concentration, mood swings and depression, according to the Frontiers study.
“PMSing is another thing that’s something with so much stigma,” Short said. “In reality, its hormones change in your body and that can lead to so many mental health side effects.”
Accommodating students’ needs are important when they are menstruating because of the physical and mental struggles associated with menstruation, according to a Frontiers study.
“Depending on the professor, students are limited to the amount of absences or “sick days” they can take,” Allen said. “While I fully appreciate that professors are under a lot of pressure to teach a great deal of information in one semester, a time limit for how long you can recover from a monthly recurring event that's notorious for causing pain and discomfort is a bit unfortunate.”
Ponnuraj also said she believes that SJSU should do more to support its menstruating student population.
“There should be more programs and resources to educate the community and build a more inclusive environment,” Ponnuraj said. “SJSU should integrate financial assistance into the existing financial aid services. This would allow students to focus on their education without having to worry about these basic necessities.”
Menstrual products, other than the ones that are available at several bathrooms on-campus, are available at the Gender Equity Center, PRIDE Center, Student Wellness Center and the Student Pantry, according to a SJSU web page.
Short said the Gender Equity Center tries to create workshops to help destigmatize periods, such as the Embracing The Menstrual Cycle Event on Oct. 16.
“It’s understandable that menstruation is associated with “grossness,” but it’s an association that is ultimately damaging not only to the individual but the culture around female health as a whole,” Allen said.
