A powerful new trend is on the rise amongst members of the Gen Z community seeking to liberate themselves from the cost, inconvenience and dangers of period products.
Known as 'free bleeding', the process sees women and people who menstruate abandoning tampons, sanitary pads, moon cups and anything designed to soak up your flow. Instead, they choose to bleed freely.
These individuals might do so for a number of reasons - including the hefty price tag on sanitary products, the pain or discomfort caused by the likes of tampons, or concerns for either hygiene or health.
Despite having sky-rocketed in popularity in recent years, 'free bleeding' isn't without its risks, doctors say.
Why do people choose to free bleed?
People decide to shun both period products for a multitude of reasons, including resisting against patriarchal expectations, suffering from period poverty, and not wanting to pollute the Earth further with disposable products.
Advert
In 2015, Kiran Gandhi chose to free bleed while running the London Marathon in an effort to tackle menstrual stigma and raise further awareness for people who were unable to access sanitary products.
In the decade since her race, Gandhi has continued to advocate for menstrual equity, has participated in conversations at the UN and has continued to champion the normalisation of periods in sport, as well as in everyday life.
Why is Gen-Z obsessed with free bleeding?
Period tracker Flo stated the free bleeding movement first gained momentum in the 1970s as a response to the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Four decades later, and it appears it’s having somewhat of a resurgence thanks to TikTok.
Advert
Thousands of TikTokers who menstruate have posted videos on the platform discussing why they’ve chosen to go without traditional sanitary products.
These young people are also showing others how to embrace the practise in 2025.
Over on X, one person wrote: “Chose the red skort this morning and now I'm free bleeding. Feminine intuition.”
Advert
A second typed: "Free bleeding in white sweatpants. Goodnight everyone because I dont give a f**k.”
Benefits of free bleeding
There are some apparent benefits to the controversial practice, including the fact that multiple studies have suggested there may be traces of lead, arsenic and potentially toxic chemicals in some well-known tampon brands.
Free bleeding is also guaranteed to save you money on buying period products, which cost people who bleed around £5000 in their lifetime, as reported by Superdrug.
Advert
And, because you’ll no longer be using products, you’ll be doing the environment a favour because you wont be making any disposable waste.
Moreover, some researchers have claimed that if you stop wearing tampons, it may decrease pelvic pain and discomfort during your period, as per Healthline.
Other people have reported that their cramps decreased once they stopped using products, but there is a lack of scientific evidence to back this claim up.
Advert
The main benefit of free bleeding though, is that you may feel more powerful and comfortable in your body—and who doesn’t want that perk?
Risks of free bleeding
According to limited studies on the subject, there are no apparent health risks if you do choose to free-bleed.
However, Healthline reported that period blood has the ability to carry bloodborne viruses like Hepatitis C, which is able to live outside of the body for up to three weeks, while Hepatitis B can remain viable for at least seven days.
The agency therefore advises anyone who is free bleeding to avoid ‘through-the-skin exposure’.
Other risks include the chance of a strong smell emanating from your underwear while you have your period, and the fact that you could make a lot of mess.
So, you may want to exercise caution!
Topics: Periods, Gen Z, TikTok, Health, Women's Health, UK News
Ella Scott