Woman who’s been ‘free bleeding’ her whole life has powerful reason for doing it despite controversy
The act of free bleeding is gaining momentum among women and people who menstruate - with many having incredibly powerful reasons for doing it.
While the term 'free bleeding' isn't a new concept - it is ramping up in popularity for a multitude of reasons and being spoken about much more freely online and between friends.
To free bleed is to menstruate without the use of a tampon, sanitary pad, menstrual cup or anything else designed to soak up your flow.
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While one reason people do it is simply for personal preference or comfort, others include resisting against patriarchal expectations, refusing to adhere to period shame, the substantial cost of period products, and to draw attention to the effects of period products on the environment.
Despite all of the reasons being completely legitimate, the mere mention of 'free bleeding' still manages to enrage people.
With free bleeding being embraced online in recent months and sparking debate, Tyla spoke to one woman, Anna, 35, who has never used tampons and always opts to free bleed, to hear her story.
When asked why she chooses to free bleed, it turns out Anna has been doing it before she 'even knew the term existed', and has done so 'pretty much [her] whole life as a menstruating adult.'
Rebelling against the system
She says that her choice is in part fuelled by 'rebelling against the system.'
Anna explains: "[In previous years] I resented the fact tampons were considered a luxury tax and cost more than similar products marketed to men - whatever I can do to quietly rebel against the system.
"From an environmental standpoint, it also just doesn’t make sense to me to have to repeat buy monthly this product I deemed unnecessary for myself only to make a mess of, or use once and then bin them."
She adds: "I remember as a teenager keeping quiet in social situations when the likes of periods and tampons were being spoken about because I never used anything, but could never admit it in those tender years for fear of being seen as weird by my classmates."
Tampons felt 'completely unnatural'
It is a rarity to hear from a woman who has avoided the use of tampons. As Anna explains, they 'were definitely seen as the cooler, more grown-up option for menstruation use – much more so than sanitary pads.'
As for why Anna has never used one, she says: "The idea of forcing a manmade item into my body and having it just exist inside me for hours at a time seemed bizarre and wrong to me.
"I got as far as getting the tip of the tampon in and it was an immediate no for me. It felt completely unnatural."
Anna acknowledges that she has a lighter flow than some other people - but as for taking precaution for bleeding into clothes, she says: "My underwear is black", before adding: "I’ve gotten pretty good at getting the occasional blood stains out when needed over the years."
'Women are socialised not to complain or talk about their own bodily functions'
Anna adds that while choosing to free bleed was 'more of an unconscious choice than a conscious one [as a teenager]', now it totally 'feels right'.
Anna's openness, along with the recent resurgence of discussion surrounding free bleeding online, follows in the footsteps of others who have chosen to do so publicly rather than privately.
In 2015, Kiran Gandhi famously free bled while running the 26-mile London Marathon in a bid to tackle period secrecy and pervasive taboos.
Backlash followed, and Gandhi refused to be shamed, later speaking out about her decision.
She said at the time on her blog: "Women are socialised not to complain or talk about their own bodily functions, since no one can see it happening - and if you can’t see it, it’s probably 'not a big deal'.
"Why is this an important issue? Because [period shame] is happening, right now."
Topics: Environment, Health, Politics, Social Media, Periods
Kya Buller