National Tampon Shortage in 2022
We are all familiar with the recent and continued baby formula shortage. After all, no one wants babies struggling, and not everyone can breastfeed. Some simply cannot, others are fostering or adopting, or others could have, but since they hadn’t – they no longer have the option.
Now, America faces a national shortage of tampons. This impacts almost all manufacturers because the supplies are the same raw materials used in some medical supplies. Health agencies get priority. Even if the manufacturers could get the raw materials, they are prohibitively expensive.
This national tampon shortage has been going on for months but only recently became a publicly discussed shortage after an article in the Times. The Tampax brand is partly blaming the deficit on its recent marketing campaign and its success, and they believe this campaign has caused the shelves to be cleared for the last two years.
Unlike other shortages such as toilet paper, tampons don’t affect everyone. And they only affect a specific population and haven’t been given the priority this shortage needs.
But with so many choices, how do you know which one is right for you? And how do you navigate the tampon shortage itself?
Here are some tips to find the tampons you need:
1) If your usual tampon brand is unavailable, try a different tampon brand.
2) If your usual brand is unavailable and the only one available is too thick or thin, consider switching to a reusable cloth pad or cup instead. They’re more eco-friendly than disposable products and won’t run out! You can find reusable products on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and more.
3) Scour all local stores. Don’t rely on just the pharmacy you usually shop at.
4) Join local Facebook groups that may be keeping an eye on products in shortage areas. For example, one such group may have members chiming in as soon as they see COVID tests, baby formula, tampons, and more, and they usually say where they saw them and how many.
5) Check health food stores that may carry organic brands that may be less well known, but it may be the perfect time to make the switch.
6) Consider buying tampons online if your local store runs out of stock. You’ll pay more shipping costs than what you would have paid in-store (unless they match Amazon prices), but this may be worth it if getting your period supplies becomes a monthly headache.
If you were to look into shopping for tampons online, you can find tampons for a lot less at different supply stores. For example, on Tampax’s (Procter Gamble) Amazon store, you can buy a 100-Count 2 pack for $82.77, plus shipping. With expected shipping time sitting at around 3 to 4 weeks.
Whereas on the wholesale medical supply store bttn, you can buy a case (24 boxes of 20 = 480 tampons) of Tampax Original Cardboard Applicator Tampons, Super Absorbency for $97.66 plus free shipping (on all bttn orders over $40).
Aside from Tampax tampons, you can find other tampons and personal care supplies available at great prices and with free shipping too.