The survey ‘Let’s Talk About Menstruation’ aimed at diagnosing the current state of menstrual health in Portugal, engaging 7,495 women between July 9 and August 12, 2024.
Among those surveyed, 4.7% reported that the quantity of menstrual products available was never sufficient for proper hygiene. This lack of access was particularly noted among those aged 50 and over (17.4%) and was least prevalent in the 30-39 age group (10.9%).
The survey findings come at a time when schools and local health units have begun distributing menstrual products, including sanitary pads, tampons, and menstrual cups.
The Ministry of Youth and Modernization announced that this distribution would be phased nationwide throughout April.
When asked if they faced difficulties obtaining menstrual products over the past year, 9.6% affirmed they did, with 0.7% experiencing these difficulties consistently.
The age group with the highest percentage of difficulty accessing these products is 10-19 years old (13.8%). According to the study published on the Directorate-General of Health’s website, this percentage decreases to 6.9% for those aged 40 and above.
The study also reveals that 97.7% never missed school or work in the past year due to a lack of menstrual products.
For the 2.3% who did miss school or work for this reason, 0.3% occurred always or frequently, and 1.8% sometimes, with the issue predominantly affecting women aged 30-39 (98.7%).
According to the survey, 91.6% of respondents never had free access to menstrual products.
Additionally, 31.6% reported missing school or work due to menstruation-related symptoms in the past year.
“The percentage of those who missed school or work for this reason is higher among those aged 10-19 (55.6%)” and in the group between the 10th and 12th grades (42%).
The survey results indicate that the lack of access to menstrual products negatively affected 23.9% of respondents in terms of social relationships and daily activities such as meeting friends or exercising, affecting mainly younger individuals aged 10-19 (27.6%).
Among participants, 73.3% reported receiving information about menstrual health, yet 61.6% believed it was insufficient.
The Directorate-General of Health’s study highlights the urgent need to promote “access to accurate and age-appropriate information about the menstrual cycle and menstruation, as well as self-care and menstrual management practices.”
It also recommends effective access to menstrual products and the availability of facilities and support services to ensure bodily care in comfort, safety, and privacy. Timely access to diagnosis, treatment, and care for menstrual cycle-related discomforts and disorders should include access to appropriate healthcare services, pain relief, and self-care strategies.
The Directorate emphasizes the importance of fostering “a positive and respectful environment regarding menstruation, free from stigma and psychological distress,” and promoting “the freedom to participate in all spheres of life throughout all phases of the menstrual cycle, free from exclusion, discrimination, and violence related to menstruation.”
