# College Athletes: Here’s How to Get Aunt Flow in Your Locker Room

October 5, 2023

Preparation is a major key to success on and off the field, but sometimes your period still makes an unexpected early appearance. We’ve all been there.

According to [a recent study](https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-020-01149-5) in the BMC Women’s Health journal, 1 in 10 college students struggle to afford menstrual hygiene supplies. That’s why we, at Aunt Flow, are on a mission to make period products available to all for free (yes, even if you need it [for a nosebleed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofIzQbTGQ2E)).

If you’re looking for a way to make a difference on campus, this one’s for you.

## Start the Conversation with Your Athletic Department

The first step to getting free period products in your locker room is to start a conversation with your athletic department. Reach out to your coach, athletic director, or relevant administrative staff using [this handy template](/content/the-gist/?utm_campaign=The%20Gist&utm_source=email&utm_medium=text-link&utm_term=paid-ad&utm_content=feature-2#email-your-school/index.html) asking for free pads and tampons to be provided in the locker rooms on campus. You can further explain how this would positively impact your performance, [reduce stress](/content/blog/the-impact-of-stress-on-your-period/index.html) and anxiety, and improve comfort and overall well-being.

## Research Any Existing Policies

Some [colleges and universities](/content/universities-student-government/index.html) have already implemented policies to provide free period products in their facilities. Check if your institution has such a policy in place. If not, use this as an opportunity to advocate for its creation.

## Organize and Mobilize

To drive change, gather support from your fellow athletes and create a united front. Together, you can advocate more effectively for free period products in your locker room and help break the stigma associated with talking about your period, especially for [girls in sports](https://theconversation.com/period-shame-stops-countless-girls-from-continuing-sport-the-womens-world-cup-can-help-break-this-stigma-205570). Form a student-athlete committee or join an existing student organization focused on women’s health or gender equality.

## Promote Education and Awareness

In addition to securing free period products, focus on raising awareness about [menstrual equity](/content/blog/title-ix-period-equity/index.html) and [breaking down period stigmas](/content/blog/4-ways-you-can-help-destigmatize-periods/index.html) within your athletic community. [Education is essential](/content/advocacy-resources/index.html) in ensuring everyone feels comfortable discussing and addressing these needs. We like to call this leveling the playing field, one cycle at a time.

The ✨inspo✨you didn’t know you needed: [Here’s how](/content/blog/guest-blog-ohio-state-athletics-facilities-aunt-flow/index.html) Aunt Flow teamed up with former Ohio State tennis star Irina Cantos to add over 30 Aunt Flow [tampon and pad dispensers](https://shop.goauntflow.com/products/estrogen-model-e-dispenser?utm_campaign=The%20Gist&utm_source=email&utm_medium=text-link&utm_term=paid-ad&utm_content=feature-6) throughout the locker rooms in the Buckeyes’ athletics department.

### Sami Sharfin

Sami is the Brand and Communications Manager at Aunt Flow.