Embracing Freedom: My Journey Into Menstrual Liberation

Each month, one week prior to my period Cramps originating from my cervix spread through every part of my body.

Alongside the pain, my mood drops with a crash.

My menstrual cycles are extremely painful due to endometriosis – a disorder that leads to body-wide pain Due to endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus. The pain persists constantly, even beyond the days of bleeding, and during menstruation? It’s excruciating.

To get ready, I power up my TENS unit (a pain management tool) and the electric heating pad, and restock on analgesics.

But since I ditched menstrual products and began adopting the age-old tradition of free bleeding Rushing to purchase pads and tampons is one fewer thing to worry about. I can never imagine reverting to my previous ways.

"Oh, a time slot for the contemporary, socially aware, feminist?" I can imagine you complaining. That's not quite what it is.

People have bled freely for centuries, especially before underwear became common in the 1800s. If you want women to return to ‘traditional femininity’, you can’t get more femme.

In the 1970s, the term emerged during an increase in menstrual activism, gaining traction because of concerns surrounding these issues. toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare and potentially fatal condition that can be caused by improper tampon usage.

In 2015, the movement surged again when Kiran Gandhi ran the London Marathon Without a tampon. Her decision ignited worldwide debate, drawing everything from praise to outrage.

I had thought about free bleeding during my time at university, where I struggled with it. thrush And sometimes couldn't always manage to buy sanitary pads. Accounts from medieval times about women allowing blood to flow onto their skirts fascinated me. However, the stigma surrounding periods kept me restrained.

Even though she was brought up by a feminist matriarch, social period stigma It had a significant impact. Throughout my twenties, I discreetly placed tampons in my sleeve to prevent others from noticing them and constantly worried about even minor leaks. I was taught that menstruation was fundamentally negative, that men would attribute any emotional changes to 'PMS,' so I believed keeping this private was best.

However, I couldn't find a menstrual solution that suited me. Disposable sanitary napkins led to yeast infections or vaginal irritation for me. Using tampons was unpleasant and intimidating. Although reusable pads were gentler and free from chemicals, they still caused skin irritation, plus constantly having to rinse them took up too much of my time.

Period pants came out as the overall winners, but during summertime, their fabric would make my groin area feel like it was burning up.

After cycling through menstrual cup Options – exploring my inner self, particularly in a public restroom, completely deterred me – I chose to embrace free bleeding starting April 2024 and have never regretted it.

It doesn’t cause any irritation, nor does it have any odor, and fewer expenses . The average annual cost of period products is around £128 for disposable products. I haven’t spent a penny in over a year.

I no longer fret over having sufficient pads or spend time saturating reusable ones.

I also bleed less. Although I don’t have any scientific evidence, I used to go through up to eight pads or four tampons a day, and now I rarely get through my underwear. I only bleed for three to five days, instead of up to eight. I don’t know the exact source of this menstruation miracle but I’m not questioning it!

Similarly, I’ve also noticed far less cramping.

Instead of dousing my vulva with Sudocrem or Canesten after a long day of discomfort, I just wear dark clothing and usually change my underwear once, usually about mid-afternoon.

On lighter days, I manage with just one pair for the entire day; however, on less frequent heavy days, I could use up to three pairs. To be more cautious, I also sit on a blanket, yet after over a year of practicing free bleeding, it has never shown any stains.

On days when I'm working from home, I occasionally skip wearing undergarments or clothing to allow my vulva some air. To manage any bleeding, I use a towel for absorption and might freshen up with an additional shower if the blood makes contact with my thighs, as I typically bathe two times daily during menstruation.

Besides the additional chore of doing laundry, the sole drawback has been staying away from the swimming pool.

Everybody ought to experience free bleeding at least one time. It’s more economical, eco-friendly, and incredibly liberating—I've developed a stronger bond with my body and now accept all its functionalities without feeling ashamed.

Comment now Have you ever tried or considered free bleeding? Share your thoughts below Comment Now

Many people picture heavy bleeders with blood pouring everywhere, forming pools as they move around. However, most individuals typically shed just about two to three tablespoons of blood during each menstrual cycle. This isn’t anything like the gory scenes from horror movies you might be envisioning.

As I've mentioned before, nobody has ever criticized me when I share – simply because my period is personal to me and how I handle it does not affect others. I'm thankful for reducing even a small amount of stress from my already hectic life. chronically ill life .

If you're interested, try it out on a lighter day towards the end of your cycle to ease into it. Opt for darker colors and heavier materials, then assess how well it works for you. You may find it’s not to your liking, or you could turn into a fan.

Despite ongoing menstrual taboos, my intention is to continue being an unrestricted menstruator for as long as I experience periods.

Would you like to share your story? Reach out via email for more details. jess.austin@.co.uk .

Share your views in the comments below.

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