Feminine Hygiene Products In Florence, Italy

Purchasing feminine hygiene products in Italy is similar to the purchasing process in the United States. These items (tampons, pads, panty liners) can be found in a variety of shops, including: farmacie (pharmacies), supermarkets, and vending machines. Feminine hygiene products are slightly more expensive than in the United States. For example, a box of 20 tampons could cost around 6 or 7 euros at a Florence supermarket, which equates to approximately 7 or 8 dollars. In comparison, it is typical to find a box of 36 tampons for 7 dollars in the United States. Unlike the United States, however, pad-use is much more common, with a package of ten pads costing 4.20 euros in Florence.

While a variety of products are available in pharmacies and supermarkets, products can sometimes be 70% less absorbent than the usual brands in the United States (Tampax, 2013). Pharmacy products run around 12 to 15 euros while the supermarket is cheaper, running around 6 to 7 euros. The supermarket is cheaper but the pharmacy has a larger selection and better overall products. Despite this, 81% of Italian women choose to buy their menstrual products from mass markets (Cotton Incorporated, 2015).

As previously mentioned, pharmacy vending machines are another place to purchase feminine hygiene products, including tampons, pads, and other genital health related items. There are a variety of pharmacy vending machines available in the Florence city center, often located near pharmacies and heavy foot traffic areas. The purpose of the vending machines is to offer consumers a quick and efficient way to purchase pharmaceutical goods, as well as offer privacy for the purchase of intimate items. These vending machines are typically located outside of pharmacies, with available items including: feminine hygiene products, condoms, vibrators, lubricants, water, pregnancy tests, and snacks.

In the United States, flushing tampons down the toilet is an available option, but is discouraged due to the risk of clogging the toilet. In Italy and other European countries, flushing a feminine hygiene product presents an even higher risk of toilet issues. Locals have informed us that toilets in Italy are generally less powerful and have smaller pipes, so this rule of flushing applies to most facilities. Large signs in restrooms are commonly seen informing users to avoid flushing these products. The restrooms typically provide small feminine hygiene waste baskets to conveniently discard used products rather than flushing them.   

The experiences in which women obtain and discard these products is similar in Italy compared to the United States.  Menstruation is a shared experience for women worldwide,  and the similarities in how women manage their periods highlights one of many connections between our cultures.

This post was jointly composed by the 13 undergraduate students participating in Dr. Andrea DeMaria’s study abroad program as part of a classroom writing exercise. These students are rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors studying in various programs, including public health, health sciences, and nutrition, at Purdue University. You can learn about their adventures on this blog, and also by following #SexInTheCitaly, #PurdueFUA, #WomensHealth, and #BoilersAbroad on various social media platforms.

Cotton Incorporated (2015). Global Feminine Hygiene.