New Data Reveals Long-Term Cost Burden of Pads and Tampons in Australia

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – May 2025 – As Australia grapples with rising living costs, new attention is being paid to a quietly compounding expense for half the population: period care. With supermarket prices steadily increasing, the cost of pads and tampons is adding up in a way that’s forcing many Australians to seek long-term alternatives. Now, emerging data reveals just how expensive menstruation can be – and why more people are switching to reusables.

Australians who menstruate are estimated to spend up to $10,000 over their lifetime on disposable period products. Even over just five years, the average cost can exceed $675, and that’s assuming a light-to-average flow. For many, it’s a cost that recurs every month without fail.

Disposable Products: The Numbers Behind the Normal

With a standard pack of pads or tampons retailing for $5.50 to $8.50, and most people using 20–25 products per cycle, the average monthly spend sits at $11.25. That may not seem dramatic at first glance – but over five years, that’s $675. Over 10 years, it’s $1,350. Over a menstruating lifetime, which can span 35–40 years, it adds up to $4,500–$10,000, depending on flow and product choices.

And those numbers don’t account for additional items like panty liners, overnight protection, pain relief, or emergency purchases during travel or work.

Government Programs Are a Step Forward – But Limited in Reach

To help alleviate this burden, the Victorian Andrews Labor Government, rolled out its pads and tampons in schools program in 2020, providing free disposable period products in all public schools across the state. In 2023, this initiative was extended to include select government buildings, such as public libraries and service centres, ensuring broader access to period care in community spaces.

While these programs are a positive step toward normalising periods and improving access, they remain limited by geography and scope. Many Australians – especially adults outside Victoria – continue to face the full financial burden of monthly period care.

One in Five Are Using Unsafe Alternatives

In 2024, a national survey revealed that 1 in 5 Australians had resorted to using improvised materials such as toilet paper, socks, or tissues during their period because they couldn’t afford proper sanitary products. The statistic highlights the urgent need for accessible, affordable, and safe solutions – particularly for low-income households and young people.

More Than 60% Struggle to Afford Menstrual Products

Research also shows that over 60% of girls, women and gender-diverse individuals in Australia have struggled to afford period products. For many, period poverty is a recurring and deeply personal stressor. And with inflation affecting everyday essentials, even basic menstrual care has become a budgeting challenge.

The Reusable Shift: How Menstrual Discs Are Changing the Equation

For those looking for long-term savings, reusable menstrual discs offer a cost-effective, sustainable alternative. One of the most awarded and talked-about options in Australia is the my mimi menstrual disc, which retails for $49.95 and is designed to last up to 5 years.

Recognised for its innovation and impact, my mimi was Awarded ‘Best Sustainable Period Care Solution in Australia for 2025’ by an independent consumer panel – highlighting its effectiveness, comfort, and growing popularity among people looking to move away from disposables.

Price Comparison:

A single my mimi disc can replace more than 2,500 disposable products over five years, making it one of the most cost-effective and sustainable choices on the market. Even if replaced twice over a decade, the total cost remains under $100 – compared to over $1,350 for traditional products

Comfort, Capacity and Confidence

Unlike menstrual cups, menstrual discs sit higher in the vaginal canal, don’t rely on suction, and can be worn during penetrative sex. The my mimi disc is available in two sizes and holds up to 61ml, offering extended protection for up to 12 hours.

Its thoughtful design, which includes a loop tab for easy removal, makes it ideal for beginners and anyone who’s found cups difficult or uncomfortable in the past.

Environmental and Emotional Benefits

The benefits go beyond cost. Australians throw away more than 300 million disposable period products each year – most of which end up in landfill and contain non-biodegradable plastics. A single my mimi disc can reduce that waste dramatically.

It also removes the stress of monthly re-purchasing and the fear of running out – something that brings emotional relief for many, especially during travel or unexpected cycle changes.

User Experience

“I thought reusables were weird – until I tried my mimi.”

“I used to think reusable period products were gross. Honestly, the idea of washing something after that didn’t appeal to me at all. I was using tampons and pads, and they were fine… until they weren’t. I’d leak during PE, constantly worry about running out, and hated the bin always smelling weird at home. Plus, pads at school? Not exactly subtle.

Then one of my older cousins told me about the my mimi menstrual disc. She said it was actually comfy, lasted ages, and that you couldn’t feel it at all once it was in. I was super nervous the first time, but the instructions were clear, and after a few tries, I got the hang of it.

Now? Total convert. I only have to deal with it twice a day, and I can even wear it when I swim or sleep. The best part? No more surprise leaks during class. Also, my parents are stoked we’re not constantly buying boxes of tampons.

It sounds dramatic, but it’s honestly changed how I feel about my period. I feel more in control, and that’s pretty empowering for someone still figuring all this out.” – By Maddy from Carlton, Victoria (17 years old) my mimi user since July 2024

Rethinking the Monthly Routine

The rising cost of disposable products, paired with limited access and ongoing stigma, has created a tipping point. While state-run programs like Victoria’s are helping in specific settings, the wider adoption of affordable, sustainable period care will depend on education and accessibility.

For Australians ready to break the monthly expense cycle, switching to an award-winning, reusable product like my mimi offers a practical, long-term solution – with savings, comfort, and confidence built in.