How do women who are homeless in Saint John deal with their menstrual cycles?

Periods. Menstruation.

It's an uncomfortable topic, especially for some men — but it's an even more uncomfortable, monthly reality for women.

And for women who are homeless or living below the poverty line, pads and tampons can be prohibitively expensive, making getting one's period (even more) crummy and embarrassing.

The goal of a new Saint John charity, Code Red, is to make sure women of all income levels don't need to worry about these basic necessities.

Lack of access 'demoralizing'

Code Red founder Pamela Wheaton, owner of Saint John indie fashion shop Heartbreak Boutique, said she came up with the idea after watching a video created by the news site Bustle about how women who were homeless in New York City coped with their cycle.

Wheaton found that "there's a real lack of accessibility to these products" for low-income women in Saint John, as well. 

When tampons and pads aren't readily available, women often use "makeshift" measures such as toilet paper or socks, wihich are "unsafe" and unhygienic. Others leave tampons in too long — putting them at risk for deadly toxic shock syndrome.

Not only does it jeopardize women's health, "but it's demoralizing to resort to that," Wheaton said.

'Health and dignity'

Recent estimates place the number of Saint John women who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, between 80 and 100.

Code Red plans to make 50 packs of feminine hygiene products available every month. Eventually, the group hopes to increase the number to 100.

Donations of tampons, pads, sanitary wipes, or cash can be dropped off at Wheaton's shop at 94 Germain St.

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The products will be distributed at the Coverdale Centre for Women, AIDS Saint John and other locations throughout the city, "no questions asked," Wheaton said.

"It's one of those things that people are a little embarrassed to talk about. Because it's only half of the population, maybe it doesn't occur to people that it's as much of a necessity as food or shelter.

"But it is a necessity, not a luxury. It's about health and dignity."

More information about Code Red can be found on its Facebook event page, as well as at various shelters and not-for-profits in Saint John.