Reducing period poverty through interventions, innovations, policies and multilevel barriers and facilitators: A systematic review.
Ishrat Islam, Andrew Walters, Christine McKnight
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review synthesised evidence on menstrual health interventions, innovations, policies, and barriers and facilitators related to period poverty in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Searches identified 8,385 records, of which 49 studies were included; heterogeneity led the authors to use narrative synthesis. The review found that multidimensional responses—combining product access, education, stigma reduction, and enabling infrastructure—were associated with the strongest reported benefits. Education improved menstrual literacy and confidence, while product-access strategies reduced absenteeism and social withdrawal in specific studies.
Key findings
- The review included 49 studies across school, community, workplace, humanitarian, and policy settings.
- Education improved menstrual literacy and confidence; product-access strategies reduced absenteeism and social withdrawal in specific studies.
- Reusable and biodegradable products and community-managed pantries expanded access, but faced WASH constraints, stigma, and cultural concerns about insertable products.
- Policy measures showed promise, while funding and implementation gaps persisted.
Why it matters
Period poverty affects health, dignity, education, and socioeconomic participation across diverse settings. The review indicates that access to products alone may be insufficient: education, stigma reduction, infrastructure, and policy implementation also shape whether responses work. This supports considering menstrual health as a context-dependent, multilevel public health issue rather than a single-product access problem.
What to keep in mind
The included studies were substantially heterogeneous, requiring narrative synthesis and limiting direct comparison of intervention effects.