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Imagine choosing between food and staying clean during your period.
Every month. Every January, Every February, Every March, Every April, Every May, Every June, Every July, Every August, Every September, Every October, Every November, Every December.
For a majority of the 250,000+ homeless women in the United States, it's not an imagination.
It's their reality.
The Problem.
Many people forget that among the 250,000+ women living in shelters, on the streets, in tents, or in cars, a significant number still need to manage their periods.
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Yet, due to period poverty, they often cannot consistently or confidently care for their menstrual health and hygiene, putting them at risk for serious health issues and causing shame and depression.
Period Poverty?
But, what is
Menstrual products can be costly, particularly for those with extremely limited or fixed incomes, making homeless women especially vulnerable to the challenges of period poverty.
It's the inability to consistently access menstrual products.
But, it can also include:
+ Lacking privacy to change menstrual products.
+ Lacking access to safely wash oneself.
Currently, homeless women use a variety of options to manage their menstrual cycles.
(And most of them aren't healthy or safe)
01 | Buy them
Difficult due to repeatedly purchasing while on a limited budget and stigma restricting store access. Many wear menstrual products longer than the recommended duration to save money.
02 | Make them
From socks and plastic bags to repurposing pads into tampons, these methods increase the risk of gynecological infections. Thus, it’s critical to ensure affordable, hygienic menstrual care products are available.
03 | Steal them
​Sometimes it’s the only choice due to high prices, urgent needs, and other challenges.​​ The risk of public shame, infection, or soiling one's clothes is too great to avoid stealing.
04 | Find donations
​Often lack the variety, sizing, or absorbency needed to meet their actual needs. Reported staff gatekeeping access or creating uncomfortable interactions. Women feel exposed when they have to disclose their menstrual status.
05 | Do nothing
Many end up having no choice but to bleed on themselves and their clothes. Compromising their health and affecting their appearance, leaving them with blood-stained clothes. This creates a catch-22 because the lack of menstrual care leads to visible challenges, like blood stains, which undermine their efforts to appear clean and not homeless, further stigmatizing their situation.
How can we help?
After nearly a year of research, interviews, and tests with shelter staff and clients, Off the Rag has designed a working prototype of an innovative menstrual product to alleviate period poverty and invite menstrual equity for all.
everyone!
The Highlights.
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Reusable. (Money Saver)
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Portable & Compact.
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Holds more blood than the average disposable pad and tampon.
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Cleanable with and without water.
Progress.
Transparency is important when striving for change
Funding​
Sources
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Grants
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Donations
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Angel Investors (Seed)
Current Goal: $9000
Patent Protection
Search
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Estimated $1000
Utility​​​​​
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Estimated $4500
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Design
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Estimated $2500
USPTO Fees
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Estimated $400+
Future plans
Product Design Firm > Minimum Viable Prototype.
Minimum Marketable Release + Tests & Refinements
Broader scale testing and user feedback
Market-Ready Version to distribute, sell, and donate
WAIT!
Did you know that 1/4 teens and adult women in the United States experience period poverty?
Although homeless women are disproportionately vulnerable to period poverty due to their financial limitations, period poverty isn't exclusive to low-income women.
The principles and goals of Off the Rag are for all.
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