Menstruation invisible to homelessness support services
Stigma, male-centric systems and structural neglect have rendered homeless women's menstrual health largely out of sight and out of mind, according to the authors of a study by the University of Southampton.
This study by the University of Southampton highlights how menstrual health receives little attention in support services for the homeless in the United Kingdom. Researchers found that stigma, male-centric systems, and structural neglect have rendered the issue largely invisible. Homeless women frequently struggled to access sanitary products, proper disposal facilities, and private spaces to manage their periods.
Stigma prevented open discussions about menstrual needs and created internalized shame among women experiencing homelessness. Male-dominated service design also posed barriers to providing adequate facilities. Interviews revealed that both homeless women and support staff desired greater support and training, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift to openly address menstruation within homeless care.
Recommendations include staff training, policies based on lived experience, free menstrual products, and accessible toilets with safe disposal.
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