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Data has revealed that more women are using contraceptive to stop their monthly cycles. As a result, tampon sales have dropped signigicantly by a quarter over the last four years.

In 2012, tampons sold more than $67 million; but in 2016, sales dropped to $51 million. In terms of packs sold, there was also a decrease of 5 million per year. Supermarkets are now giving smaller shelf spaces for tampons. The data was collected by Kantar Worldpanel.

However, the number of women using liners and pads four years ago did not change significantly. Women who opt to use contraceptives will find they have shorter and lighter periods which eliminate the use of tampons, but not the pads and liners.

Starting 2012, 400,000 more women started taking progesterone-only contraceptive pills. A rise in usage of contraceptive implants has also increased four per cent according to Public Health England.

Long term contraception method is convenient and has benefits according to Natika Halil, the chief executive of the Family Planning Association. Women do not have to remember to take pills every day.

A group of feminist activist campaigned against tampons being taxed as luxury items instead of essentials in 2015. Lifting sales tax on tampons and sanitary pads could mean almost $5 million a year savings for women. Representative Sharon Wylie said that pop should be taxed instead of diapers and sanitary products.

Lauren Feltham, the strategic insight director at Kantar Worldpanel, said that the declining trend of tampon sales can also be attributed to, aside from using contraception, the ageing population as more women are reaching the post-menopausal age.

However, a report titled "Global Tampons Market 2016-2020" forecasts the global tampon market to grow 5.87 per cent. The data was based on an in-depth market analysis from industry experts. Emerging markets such as Brazil, China and India has provided opportunities to increase tampon sales.