Millions of women worldwide are facing shortages of sanitary products, price hikes, and worsened stigma while managing periods during the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reported, quoting the Plan International charity.

About three-quarters of health professionals in 30 countries surveyed by Plan International, from Kenya to Australia, reported supply shortages, while 58 per cent complained of rising and prohibitive prices of sanitary products.

Around half the respondents cited reduced access to clean water to help manage periods, and a quarter worried about greater stigma or discriminative cultural practices linked to menstruation for women who were trapped at home by lockdowns.

In many countries, period products have become scarce and vulnerable girls and young women, in particular, are going without, she said, urging governments to include menstrual hygiene in virus response plans and invest in water and sanitation services.