Free bleeding means allowing menstrual blood to flow naturally without relying on tampons, pads, or cups.
Free bleeding can feel like menstrual trailblazing — a bold rebellion against stigma and the period product industry.
While it can be liberating, there are challenges to consider. Maintaining hygiene can be tricky, and the occasional leak or stain can be inconvenient. But with frequent bathroom visits and period-friendly underwear, you can keep the crimson wave in check.
Here’s what to know about free bleeding and its potential risks and benefits.
At its core, free bleeding is about allowing your menstrual flow to do its thing without using tampons, pads, or menstrual cups. But there’s a bigger picture.
Free bleeding aims to change the conversation surrounding “that” time of the month. It’s a multifaceted move that:
- Empowers you. Take back the narrative! It’s your body, your flow, and you can reclaim control in a society that often shames or hides menstruation.
- Breaks taboos. Free bleeding can challenge taboos and the stigma surrounding menstruation that has been hanging around for way too long.
- Challenges the status quo. No need for pricey menstrual products that are still subjected to luxury-level sales tax. By free bleeding, you’re taking a stance against the hefty profits raked in by corporate giants.
- Champions period poverty. In a world where 1 in 3 people miss work or school due to period poverty, free bleeding is a call for equality. Managing periods is a right, not a privilege.
So, when you embrace free bleeding, you’re not just celebrating your beautiful body — you’re also joining a red rag rebellion!
Free bleeding has many advantages. Here are a few:
- Embrace your flow: Free bleeding encourages you to sync up with your body’s unique rhythms, empowering you to understand your menstrual needs better.
- Save money: Say goodbye to costly tampons and pads, leaving you with extra cash for things you love.
- Support the environment: If you’re into eco-friendly choices, free bleeding is a great option. It’s a sustainable option that reduces the environmental impact of disposable period products.
- Normalize menstruation: By challenging societal taboos, free bleeding opens the door to candid conversations about menstruation, helping to break down barriers and promote understanding.
- No TSS risk: Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a potentially life-threatening condition that’s been linked to tampons. Although the risk is small, with free bleeding, the risk drops to almost zero.
Pro tip: A little prep can make all the difference. Try free bleeding out on your lightest days and when you can be home. See how you feel. You don’t have to go all out at first, but if you choose to, carrying some spare clothing can help boost your confidence.
Free bleeding is safe for most people. However, there are a few hygiene considerations to keep in mind.
The main concern is the possibility of menstrual blood coming into contact with clothing, bedding, and other surfaces. Blood, including menstrual blood, could carry viruses like hepatitis C and B, which can hang around in the environment for several days to weeks.
So, when it comes to free bleeding in public, you might want to take some precautions to protect your surroundings and personal comfort levels.
Yep, you can free-bleed in period undies. That said, for many, free bleeding is a rebellion against menstrual products and their high prices.
Period undies are just like regular, natural-feeling underwear but with some extra monthly magic sewn in. They’re an ingenious invention that offers an extra layer of protection and keeps you dry and comfy.
Free bleeding puts the power back where it belongs — in your capable hands. It’s your show, your stage, and your flow.
If you’d like to give it a try, pick lighter days when Aunt Flo isn’t in full concert mode and test the (red) waters in the comfort of your own home. Period panties could also be a valuable investment.
But hey, even if you’re not hopping on the free-bleeding bandwagon, just having these conversations about breaking period taboos is a step in the right direction.
