Period Products Cost Calculator
Understand what you spend on menstrual care. Mix disposable products, reusable gear, and custom habits to plan with confidence.
Average duration ranges 3–7 days. Adjust to match your cycle.
12 is common. Increase or decrease for irregular cycles or hormonal birth control.
Disposable Products
Include pads, tampons, liners, discs, wipes, or other single-use items.
Reusable Items
Capture menstrual cups, discs, period underwear, reusable pads, or heating pads. We spread the cost over their lifespan.
Your Cost Summary
Cost per period
$10.40
Includes disposables and reusable amortization
Average per month
$10.40
Based on 12.0 cycles/year
Total per year
$124.79
Disposables $80.89 · Reusables $43.90
Disposable Breakdown
Tampons
$0.31 per day
$3.75 per period · $3.74 per month · $44.94 per year
Pads
$0.25 per day
$3.00 per period · $3.00 per month · $35.95 per year
Reusable Breakdown
Menstrual Cup
$0.53/month
$6.40 per year · $0.53 per period ( amortized over lifespan)
Period Underwear
$3.13/month
$37.50 per year · $3.13 per period ( amortized over lifespan)
How to Use This Calculator
Set your cycle basics
Enter how many days you typically menstruate and how many periods you experience each year.
List the products you rely on
Add disposable items (pads, tampons, liners) and reusable gear (cups, underwear, warmers) with their costs and usage.
Review the breakdown
See per-period, monthly, and yearly totals so you can compare options, plan savings, or track reimbursements.
Formula
Disposable Cost per Period = (Cost per Pack ÷ Units per Pack) × Units used per Period
Reusable Annual Cost = (Upfront Cost × Quantity) ÷ Lifespan (years)
Total Annual Cost = Disposable Annual + Reusable Annual
Example: $7.49 ÷ 36 tampons × 18 per cycle = $3.75 each period. Over 12 cycles that's $45.05 per year.
Reusable example: A $32 cup used for 5 years costs $6.40 per year. That's just $0.53 per period for a 12-cycle year.
Making Period Care Budget-Friendly
Menstrual care can be a significant recurring expense. Tracking costs empowers you to build a realistic budget, explore reusable alternatives, or advocate for workplace and school supplies.
What the numbers reveal
- Disposables add up: Pads and tampons often exceed $120 per year for many menstruators.
- Reusables pay off: Cups and underwear require higher upfront cost but drop monthly spending after 6–12 months.
- Hybrid approach: Many people mix products for overnight, heavy, or light days—this calculator captures that variety.
Tips to save or plan
- Watch for sales and stock up on essentials when discounted.
- Use health savings (HSA/FSA) dollars where eligible.
- Rotate reusable items to extend their lifespan—follow care instructions.
- Track symptoms in period apps to forecast heavier months and adjust supply purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I estimate usage if my flow varies?
Track one or two cycles and log how many products you use on light, medium, and heavy days. Enter the average totals here.
Can I include pain relief or supplements?
Yes—add them as disposable products with the number of doses you take per period to see the full financial picture.
What if I share supplies with family members?
Duplicate the products for each person or adjust units per period to represent the combined household usage.
Do reusable products really last that long?
It depends on care and brand. Cups typically last 2–10 years, while period underwear ranges 1–3 years. Adjust the lifespan to match manufacturer guidance.