Free bleeding as a choice

 

Every month, a week before my period, cramps from my cervix flow into every bodily crevice.

Alongside the pain, my mood drops with a crash.

My periods are brutal because of endometriosis – a condition that causes body-wide pain due as endometrial tissue grows outside the womb. The pain is constant beyond bleeding days, and the actual menstruation? Savage. 

To prepare, I charge my TENS machine (a pain relief device) and electric hot water bottle, and stock up on painkillers.

What is free bleeding and why choose it? 

Free bleeding is the practice of menstruating without using tampons, pads, or other menstrual products to absorb or collect blood. Instead, individuals allow menstrual blood to flow naturally and stain clothing or other surfaces.

 It’s often associated with rejecting societal taboos around menstruation, promoting body positivity, or advocating for environmental sustainability by avoiding disposable products. Some use it to challenge stigma or protest lack of access to menstrual products, while others may find it impractical due to hygiene or social concerns. 

The term gained traction in feminist and activist circles, notably around 2015, with debates on its cultural and practical implications.

The history of free bleeding is tied to cultural, feminist, and activist movements, though it lacks a clear linear timeline due to its informal and varied practice. Below is a concise overview based on available information:

Early Context (Pre-Modern Era)

• Ancient Practices: Before modern menstrual products, many cultures managed menstruation with minimal or no absorbents. People used rags, cloths, or simply bled into clothing, depending on socioeconomic status and cultural norms. In some societies, menstruation was ritualistically isolating, with women secluded in menstrual huts, where free bleeding was common due to lack of resources.
• Lack of Products: Until the 19th and 20th centuries, commercial menstrual products like pads and tampons were nonexistent. Free bleeding wasn’t a deliberate choice but a necessity for many, especially in poorer communities.

Emergence as a Modern Concept (20th Century Onward)

• Feminist Roots (1970s–1980s): The second-wave feminist movement began challenging taboos around menstruation. Activists questioned the commercialization of menstrual products and societal shame surrounding periods. While not explicitly called “free bleeding,” some women rejected early disposable products (like bulky pads) in favor of natural methods, including bleeding freely, as a form of bodily autonomy.
• Environmental Concerns (1980s–1990s): As awareness of environmental issues grew, some criticized disposable tampons and pads for their ecological impact. Third world countries lacked sophisticated sewage and disposal infrastructure and modern solutions to a woman’s period became problematic. 
• This led to interest in reusable options (like cloth pads) and, for some, free bleeding as a radical rejection of consumerist menstrual management.

Rise of the Term “Free Bleeding” (2010s)

• 2014–2015 Catalyst: The term “free bleeding” gained prominence around 2014, largely through online feminist communities and social media. A key moment was the 2015 hoax involving a supposed “free bleeding marathon” by runner Kiran Gandhi, who ran the London Marathon while menstruating without products to protest period stigma. Though initially misreported, Gandhi embraced the narrative, sparking global discussions.
• Viral Moments: Social media platforms, including Tumblr and Twitter (now X), amplified free bleeding as a feminist statement. Posts and hashtags highlighted it as a way to normalize menstruation, reject shame, and critique the inaccessibility of menstrual products in many regions. Activists like Rupi Kaur also challenged censorship of menstrual imagery (e.g., her 2015 Instagram photo of period-stained clothing).
• Cultural Debates: Free bleeding became a polarizing topic. Supporters saw it as empowering and a protest against “period poverty” and patriarchal norms. Critics argued it was unhygienic or impractical, especially in public spaces, and questioned its accessibility for those with heavy flows.

Contemporary Developments (2020s)

• Activism and Awareness: Free bleeding remains a niche practice but continues to be discussed in feminist and environmental circles. It’s often tied to broader movements for menstrual equity, advocating for free or affordable menstrual products globally. Organizations and campaigns, like those addressing period poverty in Africa or South Asia, indirectly reference free bleeding by highlighting how lack of access forces many to bleed without products.
• Cultural Shifts: While not mainstream, free bleeding has influenced menstrual product innovation, with increased popularity of sustainable options like menstrual cups and period underwear. It’s also part of ongoing discussions about destigmatizing menstruation in media and education.

Challenges and Criticisms

• Practicality: Free bleeding is often seen as less feasible for those with heavy periods or in professional/public settings due to social norms and hygiene concerns.
• Privilege Debate: Some argue free bleeding, as a deliberate choice, reflects privilege, as it assumes access to clean clothing and spaces where staining is socially acceptable, unlike those in poverty who have no choice.
• Misinformation: The 2014 hoax and sensationalized media coverage sometimes misrepresented free bleeding as a widespread trend, leading to confusion about its intent.

Conclusion

No single definitive history exists, as free bleeding is more a cultural phenomenon than a formalized movement. Information draws from web sources like Healthline, Wikipedia, and posts on X discussing its feminist and environmental ties.