A woman who made the ‘tough’ decision to ‘free bleed’ whilst staying at her mother-in-law’s home, has divided the internet with her ‘inconsiderate’ behaviour.
Many menstruating people elect to use sanitary pads, tampons and other alternative hygiene products to successfully absorb their period blood.
But others—perhaps through allergy or activism—have decided to shun these items and instead practice a movement called free bleeding.
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To free bleed is to menstruate without using disposable period products, with specially designed period underwear and reusable cloths often being reached for instead.
Last year, a Reddit user known as @Plastic-A-5568 posted their honest and raw experience with free bleeding at their mother-in-law’s house.
The anonymous woman prefaced her story by explaining how she was allergic to period pads and couldn’t use popular alternatives.
Due to her sensitivity, she explained that she regularly chooses to free-bleed or use small cloth pads instead.
The Redditor continued to explain she wasn’t due on her period but decided to bring a handful of cloth pads to her mother-in-law’s house just in case.
However, on the first night of their four-day stay, she began menstruating.
“I tried to use some disposable pads I picked up but I broke out in a rash and have blisters everywhere they should not be, so two days ago I decided to say what the hell and free bleed like I do at home,” she wrote.
“I bring my own towels to my MILs, so I have been sitting and sleeping on those. I have bled through twice but cleaned the mess and left no stain.
“My MIL is p****d off to say the least,” the woman confessed. “She's disgusted by my lack of decorum and carrying my bloody towel around everywhere.
“She also hates that I'm washing them in her machines and is now saying we need to pay to have them professionally cleaned (which we will do).”
The user then claimed her husband’s mum accused her of ‘behaving like an animal’ and asked her to leave her home.
“[That] isn't possible (one car, I can't drive that far, especially not with the amount of pain I'm in),” she explained. “My husband is on damage control but I just feel so s****y. Am I in the wrong here?
“I understand that it's not super sanitary but my health matters more than some bed sheets. I'll replace them if she wants.”
The woman added that she was ‘close’ to just suffering through the pain of putting on a pad and asked whether she was an a**hole.
Following the candid confession, thread users flocked to the comments section to have their say, with one writing: “YTA. What in the hell did I just read? You can’t just bleed all over someone’s house.”
“YTA-if you want to free bleed, that’s fine, just do it in your own home,” commented another. “It is disgusting to do it in someone else’s home. It is rude and inconsiderate of you.”
An empathetic third user commented: “That’s a really tough position you are in. I think the best option is for you both to go to a hotel.
“Have you tried period panties like knix? Or cotton disposable pads?I react badly to most period products also but the all natural cotton pads work the best for me. I hope you find relief soon.”
“Have you tried those period panties? Those might be a good alternative in general,” echoed another user, while a fifth said: “YTA, also please read The Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden, it may help with your symptoms.”
Topics: Health, Periods, Reddit, Social Media, Women's Health
Ella Scott