What if instead of stuffing, sealing, and stopping your bleed, you simply let it flow?

Free bleeding is a conscious choice to menstruate without relying on tampons, pads, or cups, which provides an opportunity to consciously connect with your menstrual blood and challenge societal taboos.

But free bleeding isn’t just about ditching products. It’s a quiet rebellion against everything we’ve been told about our periods: that they’re messy, shameful, or something to hide. It’s about reclaiming the natural rhythms of our bodies and remembering that menstruation isn’t an inconvenience, it’s a profound cyclical reset.

The free bleeding movement isn’t new. Women have bled freely for centuries, before pads and tampons entered the scene to help us “carry on as usual.”

But when did usual become the goal? Bleeding was never meant to be business as usual. It’s a time to slow down, to feel, to release. And now, more women are remembering this truth and returning to an ancient wisdom that asks us to be present with our bodies, not push them aside.

My Personal Journey: Listening to My Yoni’s Needs

I started exploring free bleeding because my yoni started telling me that she doesn’t like anything inside her (including my menstrual cup!) while bleeding.⁠

I “heard” this message from her through the physical and emotional irritation I began experiencing when I would use a menstrual cup or tampon.

Personally I have found that since making this shift to free bleeding, I feel way more in tune with the magic of menstruation.⁠

This practice has allowed me to connect more deeply with my menstrual cycle, understanding its rhythms and how it affects my emotions and energy levels.

✨I feel more grounded⁠

✨I feel more feminine⁠

✨It’s been easier to slow down to hear the wisdom that comes through at this time of month⁠

✨I have acknowledged & felt even more emotions & stories related to menstruation (anger, grief, disempowerment, etc.)⁠

✨I’ve realized how primal I feel at this time of month and feel even more embodied as a result⁠

In addition to using my Free Bleed® Blanket, I have switched to Period Panties and am loving them.⁠

I am careful not to say that any form of menstrual care (cup, pad, tampon, panties…) makes it so “life can go on as normal” because I don’t believe it’s supposed to when we bleed.⁠

It’s an important time to slow down, tune in, listen to what needs to be let go of, and set new intentions.⁠

Tools to Support Free Bleeding

The Free Bleed® Blanket

The Free Bleed® Blanket isn’t just something you throw on your bed to catch a mess, its a declaration that your body’s release isn’t something you have to tiptoe around. It transforms your space into a sanctuary where you can bleed, rest, release, and even make love, all without worrying about “cleaning up after.”

Why You’ll Love It:

• Liberation Over Restriction: You can stretch out, fully relaxed, without that small voice asking, “Is this going to leak through?”

• Handles It All: Blood, tears, oils, or body fluids… it catches every drop. Its absorbent, waterproof layers don’t just protect your mattress; they create a safe container where you can fully release without worrying about stains.

• Effortless Maintenance: Toss it in the wash when you’re done. There’s no need to stress about stains, the blanket fabric is stain resistant and even blood comes out easily on a gentle washing machine cycle.

• Multipurpose Comfort: The Free Bleed® blanket is not just for menstruation, it’s also designed to protect bedding during all kinds of sensual explorations. Use it like a squirt mat, as bedwetting protection for children, or even to protect your furniture from your pets.

At 2 x 1.5 meters (80 x 60 inches), it covers a full-sized mattress, giving you space to sprawl, sleep, bleed, and rest.

Period Underwear or Period Pants

While the free bleed movement generally encourages women to bleed within the slow, comfortable privacy of home or nature, and to embrace menstruation as a powerful time to turn inwards, period-proof underwear is a useful alternative for when you want to venture into public without the mental gymnastics of worrying if you’re leaving a trail behind you.

Why They’re a Game-Changer:

• Confidence in Public: Allow your body to flow & release without panic about stains or smells.

• Sustainability: Period underwear and pants are reusable and washable, making them a more eco-friendly choice if you’re transitioning away from disposable products.

• Flow Freely: Unlike tampons or cups that plug and stop your bleed, these garments let you feel your flow without interference, they simply catch and hold what your body releases.

Free-Bleed.com

Free-Bleed.com is a home for anyone desiring to more deeply embrace the biological and spiritual gifts of menstruation. Here you’ll find everything you need to know to feel informed, inspired, and supported when it comes to free bleeding.

At Free-Bleed.com, you’ll find all of the signature Free Bleed® waterproof intimacy blankets that are also available in The Empowered Woman shop.

Free Bleeding is Better For The Environment

Have you ever stopped and wondered where your used tampon or pad goes after you throw it away? Or how many you’ve already used in your lifetime? For most of us, the answer is no, because period care has always been marketed as a “set it and forget it” part of life. But that convenience comes with an environmental cost, one that’s both staggering and sobering.

Each year, over 200,000 tons of waste is generated in the US from disposable menstrual products, pads, tampons, applicators, wrappers, and packaging. The average person uses around 11,400 tampons or pads in their lifetime, most of which end up in landfills. That adds up to millions of non-compostable items taking up space, leaching chemicals, and contributing to environmental destruction.

Plastic and Periods: What You Might Not Know

Many pads are up to 90% plastic, a shocking percentage that includes the backing, adhesives, and even the leak-proof layers. Those disposable pads and tampon applicators you’ve used? They can take 500 to 800 years to decompose. Some tampons flushed down the toilet end up in our oceans and can linger there for 20 years, a small item contributing to a much larger issue of marine pollution.

When we break it down:

• In Europe and the U.S., over 87% of menstrual products end up in landfills.

• A year's worth of disposable menstrual products creates a carbon footprint equivalent to 5.3 kilograms of CO2.

• These products often contain synthetic materials like rayon and artificial fragrances, releasing toxins as they break down.

All of this waste comes from the effort to manage something that’s natural!

Reclaiming the Sacredness of Your Blood

Menstruation has been taught to us as something “dirty”, something to hide, plug up, or erase. But ancient traditions tell a different story. Menstrual blood was once considered sacred and nourishing, even used as a natural fertilizer to enrich the soil. It was recognized for what it is: life-giving, nutrient-rich, and deeply connected to the cycles of birth, death, and renewal.

When we choose to free bleed, we reject the narrative that our periods need to be contained. Instead, we honor our bleed as a symbol of our power and vitality.

Free bleeding helps us remember that our cycles are not an inconvenience, they’re an invitation to slow down, reflect, and reset. When we embrace our blood as sacred, we rewrite the story that menstruation makes us unclean.

The Emotional and Spiritual Impact

There’s something deeply grounding about free bleeding. It brings you into your body, reminding you that you’re part of something bigger. When you let yourself flow, you’re not just aligning with your cycle, you’re aligning with the Earth itself.

For me, free bleeding has been a way to heal the shame I didn’t even realize I was holding. It’s brought me closer to the practices of my ancestors, women who bled freely and rested unapologetically. It’s taught me that the blood I once tried to hide is actually a source of wisdom, strength, and power.

Is Free Bleeding Safe?

Yes, free bleeding is completely safe when practiced in clean, comfortable environments, as menstrual blood is a bodily fluid that needs to be managed hygienically. Unlike tampons, which can carry the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), free bleeding eliminates the worry of harmful bacteria buildup inside the body. Instead of plugging or absorbing your flow, you simply let your body do what it’s designed to do, release.

If you’re prone to irritation, infections, or sensitive skin, free bleeding provides a gentler option compared to using synthetic products that disrupt your natural balance.

Period Poverty and Accessibility

Free bleeding brings attention to an uncomfortable truth: for millions of menstruating women around the world, access to period products isn’t a given, it’s a luxury. This is what’s known as period poverty. It means having to choose between buying a box of pads or putting food on the table. For many, free bleeding isn’t a statement or a choice, it’s a necessity born out of a lack of access.

But even in places where menstrual products are readily available, affordability is another barrier. Enter the Pink Tax, the implicit cost of being a woman. Menstrual products, which are essentials, are taxed in many regions as “luxury items.” Luxury? There’s nothing luxurious about managing your body’s natural flow. When you add up the cumulative cost of tampons, pads, cups, and liners, the financial burden can be staggering, especially for low-income communities.

Some numbers to put this into perspective:

• In the U.S., 20 states still tax period products as non-essential goods.

• The average menstruating person will spend nearly $18,000 on menstrual products over their lifetime.

Period poverty doesn’t just impact wallets, it impacts dignity, education, and health. Many girls and women around the world miss school or work because they can’t afford products, reinforcing cycles of poverty and inequality. By addressing period poverty, we can help normalize menstruation and reduce the stigma associated with it.

Public Figures Who Normalize Free Bleeding

Some influential women have used their platforms to challenge menstrual stigma and elevate conversations around free bleeding:

Kiran Gandhi

The musician who played drums for M.I.A and activist who made headlines when she ran the 2015 London Marathon while free bleeding to raise awareness about period stigma. Her message? Menstruation shouldn’t stop anyone from moving through life on their terms.

Rupi Kaur

The poet who shared a striking image of herself lying in bed with a bloodstain on her pants, a photo that sparked viral conversations after Instagram initially removed it for “violating guidelines.” Her post made waves, reminding the world that our blood is not obscene. The caption of her post has a powerful message.

How to Start Free Bleeding

1. Start Small: Begin in a space where you feel safe like your bed, your couch, or your favorite cozy corner in your home. Lay out a Free Bleed® Blanket, remove any clothing from your lower body, and let yourself bleed freely. No products. No “what ifs.” Just your body, your flow, and a place that holds you without judgment.

Notice the way your body feels when you let go of control. Understanding your menstrual cycle can help you better anticipate your flow and manage it effectively while free bleeding. Feel the quiet comfort of knowing there’s nothing to adjust, no string to check, no pad to reposition. This is your time to let your body lead without interruption.

Many women discover that when they let their blood flow freely, they first experience shame or discomfort - but this quickly transforms into freedom and even pleasure. It is common for women to find that letting their blood flow freely becomes an empowering, pleasurable, sensual experience!

2. Ritual: Create a ritual around your bleed. Maybe you journal by candlelight, meditate, or just close your eyes and breathe.

Ask yourself:

• What is my body asking me to release this cycle?

• What emotions or stories are surfacing that I need to feel?

• What intentions am I planting for this next chapter?

Free bleeding creates space for you to listen. And when you listen, you heal.

3. Go at Your Own Pace: There’s no badge of honor for bleeding perfectly. Some days you might use period panties for ease; other days, you might let your blood flow freely into a blanket at home.

This isn’t about doing it all at once. It’s about asking, What feels true for me today?

Free Bleeding is a Personal Choice

Free bleeding isn’t a rejection of all period products, and women who choose to still use them should not be shamed. It’s about creating a menstrual experience that honors your body’s needs, not society’s expectations.

Maybe you free bleed at home and wear period-proof clothing when you’re out. Maybe you still use your menstrual cup but choose one day each cycle to release freely. It’s about listening and choosing what aligns with your rhythm.

Your body will guide you if you let it.

An Invitation to Reclaim Your Bleed

Free bleeding isn’t about being reckless, it’s about being real.

It’s about sitting with your flow instead of stuffing it away, trusting that your body knows what it’s doing. It’s about rewriting the story that bleeding is something to tolerate instead of honor.

So, here’s your invitation: slow down, lay out the soft waterproof blanket, and let yourself rest into your body’s wisdom. Remember, that your bleed isn’t a barrier, it’s a birthright.

Your body is asking for presence. Let it lead you.