The cost of periods over your lifetime will surprise you.

Image: SNL.

We all have a bit of a love/hate relationship with periods. Yes, they’re necessary but if we’re being honest, most of the time they’re a (literal) pain in the stomach.

But have you ever stopped to think just how painful the are for your poor wallet?

Huffington Post US recently did the maths to see just how much your period will set you back over your lifetime. Taking into account pads, tampons, pain relief, birth control, new underwear and of course chocolate, the resulting figure was just shy of $23,000 (AUD).

To take into account price differences, we did some digging into the possible amount it’d cost you in Australia – and we’re guessing it’d be around the$19,000 mark.

They worked on the basis that a woman has her period from three to seven days, and the average woman menstruates from about 13 years-old to age 51. (Post continues after gallery.)

All your period supplies.

Liners

Menstrual cups

Tampons

Pads

Chocolate (because obviously)

This means that the average woman endures around 456 periods over 38 years, which is roughly 2,280 days or 6.25 years of her life.

Unbelievable, right?

Now, I have no problem with buying expensive things but I do believe you should at least have a choice in where you want to spend your money.

A fantastic leather coat or designer bag? Sure. Packets of what are basically rocket-shaped cotton sticks? Not quite the same desirability.

Because sanitary items are still classified as "luxury items" - which anyone who has ever had a period knows is so, so far from the truth - they are taxable.

The GST on sanitary products means that a woman will spend up to an additional $1000 on female hygiene in her lifetime.

Condoms and lubricant are exempt from the tax - go figure.

Unsurprisingly, there have been numerous calls for change in this area, with petitions and campaigns designed to show just how unfair and what "a bloody outrage" the classification is.

Not only do women get paid less than men (around 81.2 cents for every dollar) but a consumer report has found that personal hygiene products can actually be 50 per cent more expensive for women. (Post continues after video.)

Because that makes sense...

Studies into the so-called 'pink tax' have shown that it affects everyday products from razors, shampoos and deodorants.

Often the only difference between the products marketed to woman and men is the packaging and the smell.

In reality, any chance of change is in the power of the purchaser - you, the consumer.

Given the situation, I think it's high time women were given government-subsidised ice-cream and Netflix accounts for the time of the month. Cookies and cream for me, please.

Popular forms of birth control

Contraceptive pillThe Pillis the most popular form of birth control. There are two types: the combined pill, containing two hormones, and theprogestogen-only, or mini, pill, which only contains one female hormone. The combined pill works by preventing the ovary from releasing an egg each month. The mini pill changes the mucus at the entrance of the uterus, which stops sperm from entering. Both are 99.7% effective; however, they don't offer protection from STDs.

Vaginal ringVaginal rings are soft plastic rings that contain the same two hormones as the combined pill - oestrogen and progestogen. The ring is inserted into the vagina, where the hormones are absorbed into the body and then prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs. Once inside the ring can't be felt, and it needs replacing every three weeks (with one week's break in between). When used correctly, this method is more than 99% effective.

DiaphragmLike the male condom, the diaphragm is a barrier method of contraception. It's a shallow silicone dome that's inserted into the vagina andcovers the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus. It's held in place by the pelvic muscles, and works by preventing sperm from entering the uterus. After sex, diaphragms need to remain in placefor another six hours, in which time the sperm inside the vagina die. This method is 88 to 94% effective at preventing pregnancy, although this rate increases with experience.

Intrauterine deviceIUDs are small, T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus by a doctor in order to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of IUD: copper, which affects the movement and survival of sperm in the womb while changing the lining of the womb;and hormonal, which releases progestogen (a synthetic version of the naturally-occurring hormone progesterone) into the uterus. Although IUDs have a success rate of more than 99%, only around 2% of Australian women currently use one.

CondomsThe male condom is a barrier contraception that prevents both pregnancy and the transmission of STDs. They work by collecting semen so it doesn't enter theman's partner's body. Condoms are 95 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

The female condomThe female condom is a pre-lubricated sheath, which loosely fits inside of the vagina. The condom has a removable ring, which helps to insert the sheath and keep the condom in place. A larger ring remains on the outside to cover the opening of the vagina. They are designed to fit all women and can only to be used once. Due to misuse of the product it is only 79 per cent effective.

Birth control implantThis is a 4cm-longimplant that is inserted into a woman's upper arm, just under the skin, by a doctor. It releases a hormone called etonogestrel, which prevents ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix, which can stop sperm from entering. Contraceptive implants - usually sold as Implanon - are removed under anaesthetic every three years, and are close to 100% effective.

Depo ProveraDepo is a long lasting hormonal injection. The synthetic form of progesterone is administered every 12 to 14 weeks to woman, preventing pregnancy within this ongoing time period. The injection, which is given in the buttock or muscle of the upper arm, prevents ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix, helping to block sperm. The injections are 99 per cent effective but do not protect against STDs. Male contraceptive injections are currently being trialled

The morning after pillEmergency contraception (popularly referred to as the morning after pill) is used to prevent a pregnancy following unprotected sex. Other reasons include missing a contraceptive pill or a condom breaking. It is common in Australia to use the progestogen-only method. This entails a dosage of EC pills containing progestogen or the synthetic version. A doctor can prescribe the pill or they can be bought over the counter at a pharmacy without a prescription. Emergency contraceptionis 85 per cent effective in reducing the risk of pregnancy.

SterilisationSterilisation is a permanent form of contraception. For women there are two types of sterilisation: tubal ligation, in which clips are placed on the fallopian tubes, or tubal occlusion in which a device is inserted into the tubes. These methods work by preventing the sperm from reaching the egg. Tubal litigation is 99.5 per cent effective. The Vasectomy (for men) works by cutting and blocking the tubes called the vas deferens, preventing sperm from leaving the testicles. The chances of impregnation with a vasectomy are 1 in 1000.

Do you think the cost of sanitary products is too high?

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This is how much your period will cost you in your lifetime.

All your period supplies.

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