Period Products a New School Standard
At COS, we’re committed to supporting schools in normalising periods and making period products accessible to every Australian student. Our initiative brings period products like pads and tampons to school bathrooms where students can access them for free, it also reduces absenteeism, stress, and embarrassment and helps to make students feel more comfortable, allowing them to focus on their work without worry.
Supporting Students, Period!
By partnering with COS, you can offer practical support that will foster a more positive and nurturing environment for students. Keeping dispensers regularly filled with reliable period products, and providing students with convenience and confidence demonstrates positive change in your school community.
Australian Schools Have Stepped Up to Support Student Wellbeing
A senate inquiry investigating poverty in Australia showed evidence that current welfare payments are insufficient to meet the cost of period products and other essential items. Period poverty is a real problem and can be detrimental to teenage girls’ lives, even preventing them from going to school, or engaging in extra-curricular activities. It can also
have lasting effects on their mental and emotional wellbeing.
In April 2023, Plan International Australia commissioned YouGov to collect data on the cost-of-living crisis and period poverty. The report found that there is a need for
greater education about periods in schools. By talking to girls about period shame and stigma early on we can help to address period poverty. Period shame can be caused
by limited access to period products or feeling anxious about leakage, this can have a huge impact on the wellbeing and educational opportunities of young women.
1. QUT Study 2022
Our Partners
Order COS period products for your bathroom and demonstrate your commitment to a more positive school experience.
For a total period care solution for your school’s bathrooms, or for large bathroom support, contact your account manager to find out more about our dispenser options.
Femme Organic
Made with 100% organic cotton, biodegradable, plastic free, and hypoallergenic. It’s period care that is not only gentle on the body, but also good for the planet.
Libra
For over 30 years, Libra has produly crafted their period products in Australia, unwavering in their commitment to accessible period care for all.
Join us in making a positive change today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Having to go to school during your period is no fun, but there are a few ways you can make it less of a pain. Try to dress for comfort, avoiding tight, restrictive clothes. Stay hydrated, water aids in digestion, and will boost your energy and concentration so you won’t miss out on anything important in class. Avoid salty foods as they can cause water retention and painful bloating. Also remember that caffeine can increase cramps, so best to steer clear. Self-care is your best friend during your period, so be kind to yourself, take some time outs and do your breathing exercises.
Hopefully your school bathroom has a period product dispenser with pads and tampons available, but if not make sure you have plenty on hand and be sure to have a stash of pain killers in your bag or locker.
Pads should never be flushed down the toilet, they have a plastic backing and are notorious for blocking plumbing. It’s a commonly held myth that tampons are fine to be flushed down the toilet, but that’s not the case. Like pads, tampons should be wrapped and placed in a bin. Schools, workplaces, and public bathrooms usually have special bins in each cubicle to dispose of period products. If they don’t, simply wrap it up with toilet paper, or your fresh pad’s wrapper and throw it away in the nearest bin.
When deciding between pads or tampons it’s really about what makes you feel most comfortable during your period. Many women mix it up, using a mixture of pads and tampons of varying sizes during their periods. Others are loyal to one brand and size of one or the other. It’s a very personal choice and one that you will come to after a little testing and time.
Heat is your best ally when it comes to period pain relief. When you’re at work or school a hot bath is out of the question, but if you can manage it, a hot water bottle or heating pad will help to relieve those cramps. It might feel like the last thing you want to do but exercise is a great way to relieve cramps, it works by relieving stress and tension in the muscles.
There are lots of over-the-counter painkillers available to help with cramps but if you find that your period pain is so bad that you can’t go to work or school, you really should see your doctor.
