A process done by someone on their
period that involves not using a tampon or sanitary
pad and instead “free-bleeding”.
Reasons a person would choose to free-bleed include(in no particular order):
1. Extreme ‘
feminist’ beliefs that using tampons/sanitary pads, having been invented by
men, endorses the patriarchy and tricks women into “raping themselves”
2. Religious reasons/beliefs that prohibit the use of things like tampons and sanitary pads, such as some interpretations of older Orthodox Judaism, Islam, some Hindu communities(unconfirmed), and certain Christian denominations such as Catholicism.
3. A person is uncomfortable with using tampons and/or sanitary pads and instead choosing to free-bleed, often opting for
period underwear/absorbent undergarments so there won’t be a lot of mess. It is unclear whether or not using
period underwear is/should be considered ‘free-bleeding’.
“Are you using tampons or
pads for your
period?”
“Neither I’m free-bleeding using
period underwear.”
“Does that count as free-bleeding?”
“No idea.”
