Home / Business and Economy / Menstrual Product Prices Soar, Sales Plummet Amid Inflation
Menstrual Product Prices Soar, Sales Plummet Amid Inflation
22 Mar
Summary
- Menstrual product sales decreased by 6% since 2022 despite a 30% dollar sales increase.
- Inflation in personal care products surged 22.1% in February from January 2020.
- Tariffs on cotton-containing menstrual products collected $115 million in 2025.
Sales of menstrual products, including pads and tampons, have seen a notable decrease of approximately 6% since 2022, despite a nearly 30% rise in dollar sales over the same period. This trend suggests consumers are purchasing fewer units even as prices increase.
Overall consumer packaged goods have experienced a 2.7% rise in dollar volume year-to-date, aligning with broader inflation. Specifically, personal care product inflation in the U.S. jumped by 22.1% between January 2020 and February of the current year.
Beyond general inflation, menstrual products face additional costs from U.S. tariffs. In 2025, $115 million was collected through tariffs on menstrual products containing cotton, a significant increase from $42 million in 2020. The majority of these products were imported from Canada, China, and Mexico, countries subject to varying tariffs.
These added expenses compound the issue of the "pink tax," where some states impose sales tax on menstrual products. As of 2025, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Indiana have the highest sales tax rates at 7%. The combination of inflation, tariffs, and sales taxes is forcing consumers to make difficult choices regarding essential personal care items.
