Access to Menstrual Resources as a Public Health Issue in the US and Scotland

Abstract

Introduction: Menstrual health is an important and complex topic, one aspect of which is access to menstrual resources. Resources in this case will be understood to mean such factors as menstrual products, education, safe restroom facilities, and appropriate and accessible healthcare. Objectives: The objective of this paper was to answer the research question: "in what ways is access to resources related to menstruation a public health issue in the US and Scotland?"Methods: The Social Ecological Model (SEM) was used to structure analysis of the factors related to access to menstrual resources. Applying the SEM offers a novel approach to engage critical menstruation studies, and better understand how access to resources affects menstrual health and the experience of menstruation in the US and Scotland. Results: Factors explored at the four levels of the SEM were: individual (education, socioeconomic status), relationship (stigma and discrimination), community (menstrual leave, access to restrooms and healthcare), and societal (safety, sanitation, tampon tax, and national policies). Discussion: Study of access to menstrual resources through the SEM allowed for exploration of the separate and interconnected nature of factors at all levels. Understanding these interconnections is imperative to work toward equitable experiences of menstruation for all menstruators. Conclusion: The aim of this paper is to begin a conversation into the ways in which the different factors that relate to access to menstrual resources form a collective public health issue. Future research is needed to continue to track and to understand this issue over time.