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’.
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.”
“Neither I’m free-bleeding using period underwear.”
“Does that count as free-bleeding?”
“No idea.”
by catbalss48 July 02, 2025