Schoolgirls who resort to using rolled up socks or newspaper because they can't afford basic sanitary products are putting their health at risk, campaigners in Solihull have warned.
A local branch of the Red Box Project, which helps provide tampons, pads and other items to secondary schools in the north of the borough, has spoken of the devastating impact that period poverty can have.
While volunteers believe that there is growing awareness about the difficulties many families face, the group has said that politicians both locally and nationally need to do more to tackle the issue.
Struggling to afford hygiene products is known to force girls to take time off school and can impact on their education, but those who try and get by with makeshift sanitary items also risk health problems.
A spokeswoman for the Red Box Project said: "Some girls are using other things like rolled up newspapers and rolled up socks, which also jeopardise their own health."
These desperate measures or using sanitary items for an extended period can carry the risk of urinary tract infections or, in the most serious cases, toxic shock syndrome - a potentially life-threatening condition.
The Red Box Project was first launched in Portsmouth in March 2017 and in the two years since the idea has been taken up in communities across the country.
In North Solihull, the scheme was set-up last year and aims to provide support in areas including Chelmsley Wood, Smith's Wood and Castle Bromwich.
The rising cost of living and lower incomes are said to be fuelling the problem, with items like tampons left off shopping lists by families who are struggling to make ends meet.
According to national research, one in 10 women aged 14 to 21 have been unable to afford sanitary wear, while 49 per cent of girls have missed school as a result of their periods.
"It's so very wrong," the spokeswoman added. "The statistics are awful ... it is a ridiculous amount [who are suffering] and it is a frightening and harrowing thing for girls to be going through.
"It is good that people talking about it, but the people in authority, the people who have the power to change things aren't doing anything about it.
"It is very, very frustrating that they are leaving it for charities to do."
The group is working hard locally to provide boxes stocked with products to local schools, but it relies on donations from the community and as word of mouth spreads the demand is growing all the time.
It has called on Westminster to scrap the controversial taxes on sanitary products and for councils like Solihull to provide help to initiatives such as the Red Box Project.
A motion, urging the local authority to take a proactive role in dealing with the issue, was presented at Full Council earlier this month.
The Green Party, who had introduced the topic, was frustrated by the fact that the ruling Conservative group had decided to refer the matter to the relevant cabinet member - Cllr Ken Meeson - rather than allow a debate.
Tweeting afterwards, Cllr Ben Groom (Smith's Wood), who presented the motion, said: "I will push, and fight, and cajole, and irritate, and even cooperate, until #periodpoverty is sorted on my patch."
A council spokeswoman this week confirmed that the issue will be looked into by the department for children, education and skills, with officers to carry out an assessment on the situation locally.
While the timetable has yet to be confirmed, a report could be presented to Cllr Meeson's decision session in the next couple of months.
To find out more about the Red Box Project in North Solihull, or if you would like to make a donation or become a volunteer, visit the group's Facebook page.
