What is a period? No, it is not a dot at the end of a sentence. A period or Menstruation: a discharging of blood secretions from the uterus that recurs in women.

Every month, ladies are losing blood for 3-7 days. During these 3-7 days of pain, us gals tend to be moody, emotional, and experiencing the worst cramps ever. Most of us are fortunate enough to go out and purchase medicine and tampons- a wad of absorbent material introduced into a body cavity to absorb secretions- at the store. Now imagine you are living on the streets and it's your time of the month, and you do not have access to feminine products to take care of it, and your last resort may be to spend most of the money you have been saving for a burger .

There are 564,708 people who are homeless as of 2016. 40 % -217,268 people- of that population are women who are homeless. Let me repeat myself, 217,268 women are homeless in the United States, 217,268 women aging from 10- 45 are experiencing their menstrual cycle every month with little to no aid, 217,268 women struggling to live.

On top of that 550,000 young adults from the age of 24 and younger are homeless as well. Puberty starts around the tween years - age 10-16- it varies per gender and child. Girls!, Aging between 10 to 14 your period adventure is about to begin, how exciting it is your transition into womanhood.In addition, if you are apart of the 550,000 young adults roaming around the United States by themselves without the proper necessities can be a liability to your well being. By not having the correct products when you are on your menstrual cycle it can cause a UTI- an infection of any part of the urinary system- if not treated right.

Personal hygiene is crucial to maintain. Having bad hygiene can lead to bad health and other health risks. Homelessness people can maintain their personal hygiene by staying at a shelter or using public restrooms. However, for the vast majority out there they are on their own. Women and girls if you do not keep your body clean, it can cause a UTI. UTI’s are not lethal, however, if not treated, then it can cause bigger issues such as diabetes, e.coli, kidney stones, etc. Ladies, to keep a healthy personal hygiene, you will need certain items such as; wipes, tampons, pads, etc. Tampons alone cost around $7-$10 not adding in wipes, heating pads, diva cup and other necessities that can easily cost up to $20. For a human being in poverty just living off of spare money it is ten times harder to sustain a good personal hygiene.

Homelessness women who struggle with debating what is more important, their starvation or to maintain a clean personal hygiene face a difficult decision. There are shelters that offer home and other needs for ladies, but there isn't enough for everyone, keep in mind about the 217,268 women that need tampons, wipes, pads etc. Not every shelter can provide that amount of supplies for every single woman, not only are these shelters providing for women they also provide for the other homeless men and children out there.

To improve this issue we should donate more to shelters or spread the word about this problem to inform the general public that these homeless women they call “hobos” are not just bums who failed in life. They are actual human beings who have suffered through problems and they need help. More people should start making period kits to donate to their local shelters.




Reference page
2016's Shocking Homelessness Statistics. (2017, January 09). Retrieved April 17, 2017.
FAQs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2017.
Johnson, J. (2017, April 11). The Importance of Good Personal Hygiene. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
McIntosh, J. (n.d.). Urinary Tract Infection: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
"Menstruation." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
Posted under Health Guides. Updated 3 May 2016. Related Content. (2016, May 3). Menstrual Periods. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
Solutions, B. T. (2017). Top Causes of Homelessness in America. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
Stöppler, M. M. (2017). Puberty: Stages & Signs for Boys & Girls. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
"Tampon." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.