Go With the Flow: What You Need To Know About Free Bleeding

Being caught without a pad, tampon or menstrual cup during your period can be a real bummer. But does it have to be? More and more women are embracing the concept of free bleeding.

Gynecology physician assistant Katherine Murad, PA-C, explains what it is, why it’s becoming popular and how to do it safely.

What is free bleeding?

Free bleeding is exactly what it sounds like: it’s letting your period blood flow, instead of catching it with a tampon, pad or menstrual cup.

You can free bleed into specially made absorbent clothing — particularly “period panties.” Or you can dress in dark colors that hide the stains. Or maybe you want your blood to be visible. (More on that in a bit.)

The “when” of free bleeding varies from person to person. You can choose to free your flow:

• All the time, regardless of how heavy your period is
• During certain times of day (like while you’re asleep)
• On days when your period is lighter

Reasons why women choose free bleeding

Free bleeding may seem unorthodox. But Murad is quick to point out that this method has been around as long as humans have. Here are some of the reasons you might opt out of period products:

• Empowerment. You may associate your period with embarrassment or anxiety. Taking at least some of the stress out of the equation may promote body positivity and build confidence.
• Financial concerns. You might choose to free bleed to save money and avoid the “pink tax.” But Murad notes that not everybody who free bleeds stops using menstrual products by choice. Some women simply can’t afford them.
• Accessibility. Inserting tampons, placing menstrual cups and even opening pad wrappers requires a surprising amount of flexibility and hand strength. You also have to change them throughout the day. Free bleeding may be a better option if you have disabilities.
• Safety. Free bleeding is a way to reduce exposure to the chemicals and synthetic materials found in some menstrual products. It also reduces the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
• Self-awareness. Free bleeding can help you understand how your period changes day by day. That knowledge is useful if you’re trying to get pregnant or have chronic medical conditions that impact your menstrual cycle.
• Sustainability. All those single-use period products can really add up! There are environmentally conscious options on the market, like menstrual cups and reusable pads (stay far away from reusable tampons!). But they still create more waste than using nothing at all.
• Physical comfort. “Some women get contact dermatitis or irritated skin from using pads,” Murad reports. And tampons sometimes cause painful vaginal dryness. Free bleeding fixes those problems.
• Symptom relief. Another possible benefit? Some people report that skipping tampons and menstrual cups reduces the severity of their cramps. There’s no scientific proof for this claim, but if your cramps are bad enough, it may be worth trying anyway.
• Politics. Many cultures view menstrual blood as dirty or shameful — something women need to hide. Free bleeding is one of many ways activists challenge those beliefs.

Is it safe to free bleed?

From a health perspective, free bleeding is about as safe as it gets. At least, it’s safe if you’re maintaining good personal hygiene.

“There’s a mild risk of infection if menstrual blood gets left on your skin for long periods without cleaning,” Murad clarifies. “But as long as you’re cleaning yourself appropriately, the risk is minimal.”

That doesn’t mean free bleeding is the right choice for everyone. Here are some of the most common concerns around the practice.

• Smell. Your menstrual blood isn’t dirty. But Murad says prolonged exposure to moisture down there can cause bacteria buildup, which is a recipe for (treatable) odor.
• Blood-borne illnesses. Like all blood, menstrual blood can carry infectious diseases. Free bleeding is not a high-risk activity. But still be sure to use bleach to clean blood off hard surfaces like floors.
• Skin irritation. “Sitting in wet clothing for too long may cause discomfort, chafing or skin irritation, especially if you have a heavy flow and sensitive skin,” Murad explains. Wearing breathable fabrics and changing into dry clothes throughout the day can help prevent this.
• Clothing. If you find it hard to keep up with your laundry, free bleeding could be a real challenge. After all, staying clean and dry means going through more clothes than usual.
• Clean up. If you aren’t using absorbent period clothing, anticipate extra time spot treating stains. Your bloody clothes can go in the wash with everything else, but you need to run them in cold water to lift the stain.
• Stress. At its best, free bleeding makes you feel liberated. At its worst, it becomes a source of anxiety. If the thought of free bleeding stresses you out, it’s probably not worth it.

What to consider before free bleeding

Are you suddenly feeling the urge to toss your tampons into a fire and dance on their ashes? We can’t blame you! But there are a few things to keep in mind before you go out collecting kindling.

• Know your flow. Get a good idea of your cycle before you make the switch to free bleeding. Once you have a sense of how consistent your period is, how long it is and how heavy it can get, you can decide if you want to free bleed all the time (and plan your wardrobe accordingly).
• Change out your towels and linens often. If you choose to free bleed, make sure to clean your towels and bed linens daily or as needed based on your flow. Placing a towel or waterproof pad on your bed can prevent stains and may make sleeping more comfortable.
• Maintain good personal hygiene. Wash your genitals and surrounding skin with mild, unscented soap and water at least twice a day. This removes blood, reduces bacterial growth and prevents odor.
• Wear the right clothing. It can be helpful to wear dark-colored leggings, skirts or loose clothing to hide stains and feel more at ease.
• Try period clothing. If you don’t want to risk staining your clothes, consider investing in a few pairs of period underwear or absorbent shorts instead.
• Anticipate leaks. Carry a spare pair of underwear or pants when you go out, just in case your period’s unusually heavy. You can even bring a small towel to sit on.

Final thoughts

Everybody experiences their period a bit differently. And there’s no right way to approach it. Free bleeding has grown in popularity in recent years because it’s safe, sanitary and — for some women — empowering. And it’s an option that’s always available!

Only you know if free bleeding is right for you. So, rest assured: Whether you go for period panties or pads, tampons or menstrual cups — or just relax and ride the wave — you’re making a good choice.