Since half of the human population menstruates, some of us will find ourselves unprepared when the inevitable period arrives. I don’t see the big deal with any of it.
To put it plainly, it’s all due to the stigma associated with being a woman in today’s society.
Menstruation, an indication of reproductive health and, thus, the ability to perpetuate our race, is stigmatised and treated as a source of guilt from a young age.
The term “free bleeding” describes the method of menstruation management in which no absorbent material such as pads, tampons, or menstrual cups is used.
Free Bleeding: What Is It?
The free bleeding movement advocates for women to forego the use of any form of sanitary protection throughout their menstrual cycles. Women who adhere to the trend don’t use tampons or pads, not even while they’re out in public when having their periods.
So, why not use the available tools to make periods less of a hassle and embarrassment? In a nutshell: it’s a kind of protest.
The so-called “tampon tax” is something you have undoubtedly heard about. This refers to the unfair taxes on feminine hygiene goods, so women have to shell out more money for the ‘luxury’ of using things like tampons and pads when they have their periods. This significant movement is a reaction to the prohibitive cost of menstrual hygiene products, affecting millions of women and girls worldwide.
It’s a demand that governments stop seeing menstruation as a luxury and stop taxing women for having it.
Even though the tampon tax was eliminated in the United Kingdom (after 20 years of fighting), it is still in effect in many other nations and a major contributor to period poverty worldwide.
Because of these levies, many women worldwide cannot purchase sanitary products, and the free bleeding movement recognises and supports these people. Also, it’s a statement against the wastefulness of single-use items and the discrimination that women face because of their periods.
Free Bleeding: Pros
The hazards of toxic shock syndrome and other reactions to the dangerous ingredients in various period products are eliminated when bleeding naturally occurs. Some women also report that when they let their periods flow naturally, their periods are shorter, and they have less pain during menstruation.
Even though there haven’t been any definitive studies done, these anecdotes make sense because menstrual blood is supposed to depart the body before a new cycle begins.
Less Discarded Sanitary Products
Saving money and helping the planet by reducing your consumption is a win-win. Even though you may need to use anything on the worst days of your period, letting your blood flow freely on the lighter days might help you save a lot of money.
Overcoming The Prejudice That Has Been Attached
There is still pushback against the free bleeding movement (mostly from those who don’t menstruate), but the concerns it raises are crucial for everyone to consider. There are genuine monetary and psychological benefits to eliminating the taboo surrounding menstruation. Doing so also helps normalise the simple things, like freely discussing what it’s like to menstruate or wear a pad in public.
Free Bleeding: Cons
Let’s take a look at the negative aspect as well.
Hygiene
You’ll need to change your clothing frequently if you try free bleeding. When left out in the open, blood from a woman’s menstruation soon provides a breeding ground for germs that emit a foul odour.
Bloodstains
The most bothersome aspect of spontaneous bleeding is the resulting blood stains. What measures can you take to safeguard your belongings?
Cleaning blood from furniture is more difficult than cleaning blood from clothing, which may be removed by soaking the stained item(s) in cold water as quickly as possible and washing it with bar soap. Some individuals choose to sit on towels or wear protective clothes to alleviate the issue.
Viruses And Bacteria That May Spread Through Blood
Diseases like hepatitis C and hepatitis B, which may live in blood for days or even weeks outside the body, may be present in menstrual blood, though this is quite uncommon. That’s why it’s important to take precautions while dealing with a wound that is bleeding freely; it might lead to the spread of infectious illnesses.
How to “Free-Bleed?”
If you’re interested in free bleeding, consider the following:
- Take charge and decide what to do. To bleed on, what would you like? Can you tell me when you’d want to do it? Where? When you’ve got all the info, you can confidently give it a go.
- Bring a spare set of underwear and a change of clothes. Knowing that your period might soak through your regular clothing while you’re out and about, you might want to bring a couple of spare pairs of underwear and a change of trousers, just in case.
- Get things going in a risk-free zone. That’s often at home, but it may be anywhere you feel most at ease. You may learn the ins and outs of your period and what to expect from your flow if you do this.
- Feel free to go outside only if and when ready to do so without worry. It would help if you only did this after your cycle when your blood flow is at its lowest. There’s also the option of publicly bleeding for the duration of your menstruation.
- When you sit, wipe your bum with a cloth. Some people only bleed freely in the privacy of their own homes, and even then, they take precautions like sitting on a towel to avoid staining the upholstery. Starting, this is a solid plan of action to follow. Also, laying a towel across your bed before turning in might assist.
Conclusion
Free bleeding may be an effective way to bring attention to the problem of period shame, which persists in many parts of the globe even today, as well as the predicament of the millions of women and girls who do not have access to menstrual products.
Your method of period management may be quite individual. However, if you’re interested in giving free bleeding a go, you may do it whichever way and whenever it suits you; it’s hygienic, has been around for a long time, and has no restrictions.
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