Menstrual care products are having their Boston Tea Party moment

Last week, with the panache of a group of angry citizens throwing tea into an ocean harbor, eight period-care brands formed a coalition to reimburse any of their customers who pay the “tampon tax.”

What is the tampon tax?... The phrase refers to the sales tax levied on menstrual products, which are often taxed similarly to luxury items rather than being exempt from state sales tax, such as other necessities like medicine. Critics say this is discriminatory against women.

But, if you listen closely, you should be able to hear the winds of change. As recently as a decade ago, 41 states taxed menstrual products – now, that number is down to 21. And in most of those 21 states, consumers now have the "Tampon Tax Back" campaign to fall back on.

• How to claim the reimbursement: Consumers who go to the Tampon Tax Back coalition’s website within 10 days of purchase and submit their receipt will be reimbursed via Venmo within 24 hours (clarifying note: the originally purchased product must be from one of the eight brands involved in the coalition).

These aren’t the only companies fighting the “tampon tax,” however. CVS agreed last year to eliminate the sales tax on its branded menstrual and feminine care products in states where absorbing the tax is allowed. At the same time, the company announced it was dropping prices on its private-label period products by 25%.