The Tampon Shortage of 2022 and What Consumers Are Doing About It

First it’s baby formula. Then sriracha. Now it’s a tampon. Shortage and supply chain issues have been a constant headache for consumers throughout the pandemic, and essential hygiene products are not immune.

The headlines about the tampon shortage started appearing in the early summer of 2022, when Thestreet wall journal reported that 7% of tampons were out of stock nationwide. Across the US in particular, shoppers looking for their brand of choice, or any brand at all, have been welcomed empty store shelves.

Tampon makers face the same supply chain and labor problems that have plagued many industries over the past two years. This means tampon alternatives—such as menstrual cups, cloth pads and period panties—are becoming increasingly attractive options. Such products are washable, reusable, and only need to be purchased once.

“During the pandemic, we’ve definitely seen an increase in interest when people can’t easily leave the house, go to the grocery store or buy disposable products because of shortages,” said Tracy Puhl, President of GladRags, which sells alternative period products.

“Part of the benefit of reusable products, apart from the environmental and cost-saving aspects, is that you always have your menstrual care products. So there’s no need to worry about what’s on the grocery shelf.”

Is there a shortage of tampons?

Some tampon manufacturers have confirmed that they will indeed face a supply problem in 2022, leading to a shortage of tampons. follow Time, Procter & Gamble, which makes Tampax, said it was having trouble getting raw materials. A Procter & Gamble spokesperson also said there was an increase in demand due to an ad campaign featuring comedian Amy Schumer (which turned into a joke of its own), but it wasn’t the only tampon maker experiencing problems.

Edgewell Personal Care, which makes Playtex and ob tampons, told the BBC its supply had been affected by a labor shortage related to COVID-19.

Overall, tampon shortages in 2022 are due to the same factors as other shortages—access to raw materials, shipping problems, and labor issues. USA Time points out, tampons are made with cotton and rayon, two materials that have been in high demand for personal protective equipment throughout the pandemic. The war in Ukraine may also affect the price and availability of raw materials.

On the labor side, COVID-19 has caused higher than usual absenteeism. Fewer workers means fewer tampons are produced and reach stores.

According to Bloomberg, the shortage is not the same everywhere, with Alaska, Hawaii, and West Virginia seeing the most significant shortages. The brand says this shortage is temporary and they are working to restore supplies.

Why are tampons so expensive?

Even without taking into account the shortage of tampons, period products are becoming more expensive. According to a report from Bloomberg, citing NielsenIQ, the average price of a box of tampons rose 9.8% in the year to May 28. For pads, the increase was 8.3%.

Shortages of raw materials such as cotton and rayon have pushed up prices. Additionally, prices are rising for applicator components such as plastic.

It’s getting more expensive to get a period. And unlike some other products that experience shortages or price increases due to inflation, menstrual products are not an option for those who are menstruating.

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Alternative menstrual products

Disposable tampons and pads are the most common menstrual products you’ll see on store shelves, but they’re far from the only options. There are other types of products that menstruating people turn to that are more sustainable, reusable and cheaper to use in the long run.

Tracy from GladRags says this product “eliminates disposable waste, costs less in the long run, and is also more comfortable.

“All of our products are made to last at least five years, although we have many customers who have used them longer, so once you have them, you’re set for your monthly needs,” he says.

Here’s what consumers are looking for as tampon alternatives and the DTC brands that sell them.

Menstrual cup

Usually made of soft silicone, menstrual cups are inserted to collect menstrual blood and can then be removed, washed, sterilized and reused. Despite the learning curve, menstrual cups are a popular choice for tampon users because, like tampons, they can be inserted and used for hours before changing. However, instead of going through a box of tampons, you only need one menstrual cup and it can be reused every cycle.

Menstrual cup brands:

Period underwear

Period underwear, or period underwear, is underwear built with an absorbent lining. Like reusable pads, they collect menstrual blood, but instead of being thrown away, they can be washed and worn again. Like the cup, it’s a more eco-friendly option because there’s no waste. They’re also made in different styles for different gender expressions, so you can find everything from lace-trimmed cheeky pants to boxers.

Period underwear brands:

Reusable pads

Like the pads you buy at the pharmacy, cloth pads are attached to the underwear to add an absorbent protective layer. But unlike disposable pads, these pads, usually made of cloth, are made to be washed and worn again. It keeps pads out of landfills and they often come in fun colors and patterns.

Brands of reusable pads:

When will the tampon shortage end?

Tampon manufacturers have said they are working hard to ramp up production and end shortages, but it remains unclear how long customers will have to wait. US senators have even begun to put pressure on these companies to address the shortage.

Meanwhile, alternative products are more accessible than ever, although they are also not immune to supply chain issues. Tracy said GladRags has had its own supply problems, though using local manufacturing has helped alleviate them.

“We’ve seen a lot of delays and price increases in material costs,” he said. “Fortunately, we make our products locally in Portland, Oregon, so we can keep our products in stock and flow to our customers, rather than being stuck at the port.”

Image courtesy of GladRags.

source: https://www.shopify.co.id/blog/tampon-shortage-2022-and-alternatives