Girl Math explained... period edition

If you’ve ever spent $15 at the chemist on emergency tampons and thought “that’s fine”… but then stared at the price of a reusable menstrual disc like it’s a luxury purchase, you’re not alone 😅

The girl maths around period care has been wildly upside down for years.

Because somehow:

• Spending thousands on disposable period products over a lifetime = normal
• Buying one high quality reusable product that lasts years = “expensive”

And honestly? We don’t think periods should cost women this much in the first place.

At Hey Zomi, we believe period care should make sense.
For your body, your health, your lifestyle, and your bank account.

The Hidden Cost of Having a Period

Periods are a biological reality for millions of Australians. Yet period products are something many people quietly budget around every single month.

Pads, tampons, liners, overnight products, emergency pharmacy runs, spare underwear after leaks… it all adds up.

Research has shown many Australians experience “period poverty”, where the cost of period products creates financial stress or limits access to essentials. Organisations like Share the Dignity have spent years advocating for better access to period products and helping people who cannot afford them.

And while removing stigma around periods matters, affordability matters too.

Because no one should have to choose between period products and other essentials.

The “Girl Math” of Disposable Period Products

Let’s do some quick period maths 👀

The average person menstruates for around 40 years.

If you spend roughly:

• $15 to $25 per month on pads and tampons
• across 12 months
• for decades…

That could easily total $7,000 to $12,000+ over a lifetime.

And that doesn’t include:

• leak replacements
• pain products
• overnight protection
• emergency convenience store runs
• period swimwear or backup underwear
• the mental load of constantly restocking

Now compare that to reusable period care.

Why Reusable Period Care Just Makes Sense

A reusable menstrual disc can last for years.

Our Hey Zomi menstrual disc is designed to last up to 5 years with proper care.

That means:
✨ less period admin
✨ fewer last minute chemist runs
✨ less waste
✨ fewer products sitting in landfill
✨ potentially saving hundreds over time

Instead of constantly rebuying disposable products every single month, reusable period care is more like an upfront investment in yourself.

And when you break it down yearly, monthly, or even per cycle… the maths starts mathing.

So… Is a Menstrual Disc Actually Cheaper?

One of the most searched questions online is:
“Are menstrual discs cheaper?”

Short answer: over time, yes.

While a reusable menstrual disc costs more upfront than one box of tampons, it’s designed for long term use.

Disposable products are designed to be thrown away and repurchased constantly.
Reusable products are designed to stay with you for years.

That’s why so many people who switch say things like:

“I wish I tried this sooner.”

Because the savings are not just financial.
They’re emotional too.

Less stress.
Less leaking anxiety.
Less remembering to buy products.
Less carrying tampons everywhere.

The Tampon Tax in Australia: A Huge Win

For years, period products in Australia were taxed with GST, despite being essential items.

After years of advocacy from campaigners and organisations including Share the Dignity, the “tampon tax” was officially removed on 1 January 2019.

This meant menstrual products were finally recognised as essential healthcare items, not luxury goods.

Honestly? About time.

Because period care is not optional.
It’s not a beauty product.
It’s not a luxury.

It’s healthcare.
It’s dignity.
It’s participation in everyday life.

Cheap Period Products vs High Quality Period Care

Another common search people make is:
“What’s the cheapest menstrual disc?”

And while affordability matters deeply, we also think quality matters.

A high quality menstrual disc should be:

• made from medical grade silicone
• comfortable and safe to wear
• durable enough to last years
• properly designed for real bodies
• backed by education and support

Cheap products that fail, leak, or need replacing constantly don’t actually save money in the long run.

That’s why we focus on creating reusable period care that genuinely works for people and supports them long term.

Because everyone deserves access to period care that helps them live better, not just “get by”.

Period Care Shouldn’t Cost You the Earth

Literally.

Disposable pads and tampons create enormous amounts of waste over a lifetime, much of which ends up in landfill for hundreds of years.

Reusable period care offers another option.
One that can be better for the planet and your wallet at the same time.

And while we know reusable products are not accessible or suitable for everyone, we do believe people deserve the choice.

The choice to save money.
The choice to reduce waste.
The choice to feel comfortable and confident during their period.

We Need Period Care That Just Makes Sense

At the end of the day, this isn’t really about “girl maths”.

It’s about the fact that women and people with periods have quietly carried the financial burden of menstruation for generations.

We think period care should:

• be affordable
• be shame free
• actually work
• support your health
• support your lifestyle
• and not cost you the earth

And honestly?
That just makes sense 💛