Former Olympian Dr Jana Pittman has worn many hats (or should that be running shoes?) throughout her career. However, her most recent role as Hey Zomi Ambassador has educated her on the problems of period poverty. Here are her thoughts on the importance of access to innovative period care products. And, what we can do to help achieve it.
Period problems
For most women, periods are a natural part of life. Yet, the products available to manage them have remained largely unchanged for generations. This old-school approach to period care takes its toll on women; emotionally, physically and financially.
A recent study revealed that 84% of teenage girls stopped participating in sports and fitness activities after starting their period, with a further 23% saying they feel embarrassed to take part during their menstrual cycle.
As a doctor, a mother and a professional athlete who has faced the challenges of competing on a global stage while on my period, I understand these feelings completely – and it breaks my heart.
Fostering a love of exercise and sports at a young age can have an enormously positive impact on the self-esteem of young women, not to mention their long-term physical and emotional health.
It saddens me that a lack of access to innovative period care products and the continuing stigma around menstruation is denying young girls – and the women they become – the chance to harness their talents and explore their passions.
This is why I am so excited that the tide seems to be changing. Australia is leading the way when it comes to period care innovation, with the market expected to reach over $1 billion by 2030. This growth reflects not only the increasing demand for effective products but also the shift in attitudes toward menstruation.
No longer something to be endured in silence, periods are being recognised as a natural and even empowering part of life. Thanks to innovation and a focus on women’s health, menstruators are gaining access to smarter, more sustainable solutions that align with their lifestyles.
Menstruation care that works
Leading the charge when it comes to the Australian period care revolution is Hey Zomi, the country’s first and only locally owned, designed and manufactured menstrual disc company. As a passionate women’s health advocate, I love that Hey Zomi’s menstrual discs offer an alternative product for women who feel that traditional pads, tampons and even period cups hold them back.
I vividly recall breaking a world record while on my period – a moment that transformed how I viewed menstruation. It taught me that embracing this natural rhythm can be a superpower, not a setback.
As a Hey Zomi ambassador, my wish is for all women to experience that same sense of empowerment by finding a period product that works for their lifestyle. I want girls to compete in their school swimming carnival or run around with their friends without feeling the uncomfortable chafing of a pad. I want women to enjoy intimacy with their partners without worrying that it will be too messy.
Hey Zomi’s menstrual disc has already made this a reality for women all over the country – imagine what can be achieved if we continue focusing on period care innovation.
A more sustainable and affordable option
Period care innovation also holds the key to solving two of the biggest problems surrounding period products: their impact on the environment and the financial burden they put on women who need them.
The average woman spends approximately $10,000 on period products over their lifetime, disposing of up to 15,000 pads and tampons in the process. The environmental and financial impact is significant, yet many traditional products fail to meet the needs of modern lifestyles.
The rising cost of living has made sustainability an even more pressing concern for many Australians. Disposable pads and tampons contribute significantly to household expenses and landfill waste. By putting the focus on innovative period care products, we can create more cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives that help people save money and reduce their environmental impact.
Hey Zomi’s reusable menstrual disc is a perfect example of how impactful these innovations can be. With proper care, one disc can be used for years, replacing countless disposable products and saving the average woman hundreds if not thousands of dollars along the way. With six million menstruators in Australia alone, the positive impact this could have on the environment and on the lives of women cannot be overstated.
As a doctor and mother of six, I’m both excited and inspired by a future where period care allows women to live life to the fullest. For many people, periods can feel like a burden, but my hope is that this wave of innovation shows young girls and women that they deserve options that truly work for their lifestyles. By prioritising freedom, flexibility, sustainability, and comfort in our products, we empower ourselves to embrace our periods with confidence and ease.
About Hey Zomi
Female-founded femtech brand Hey Zomi gives menstruators the power to have periods on their terms with the first and only Australian-made and designed disc. Founded by sisters Mika Koelma & Zoe Fehlberg (with Jana, main feature image), Hey Zomi empowers people who menstruate to have easier, more comfortable and convenient periods than ever before.
Hey Zomi’s ultimate mission is to give menstruators the confidence to have periods on their terms. The disc helps people live freely with more flexibility to better manage their needs: whether that’s hiking, working long hours or chasing after the kids.
The Hey Zomi Disc provides a leak-free, lifestyle-focused solution, holding up to four pads or tampons’ worth of menstrual fluid and offering up to 12 hours of wear. Designed to fit bodies and manage flows better than other period products on the market, Hey Zomi is a driving force behind Australia’s period care revolution.
Jana Pittman is a respected women’s health doctor, former Olympian, and mother of six. Her career has been marked by exceptional achievements in athletics and a dedication to improving women’s health and wellness.
This story was originally published on The Carousel.
