A recent post about a free-bleeding woman running a marathon has been viral. People everywhere are sharing this post all over their social media pages, and there has been mostly positive, encouraging words like, "Wow, she's so brave!" or "That's right! There is nothing to be shameful about periods."
First off, let me establish here that period-shaming is ultimately disgusting and uncivilized. The menstrual cycle is proof that women have an important process going on in their bodies to enable reproduction to happen. This in itself shows that women are, in fact, powerful and should therefore not be shamed for having periods.
Things like carrying sanitary pads/tampons or even mentioning the word 'period' can cause social discomfort, not to mention seeing a blood stain on the back of a girl's pants being completely taboo. This is all caused by culture. Periods should not be an embarrassing issue. The symptoms of PMS have been joked about: jokes about infamous mood swings are the ultimate stab at a girl's femininity. These are all unnecessary and totally uncalled for, but this is culture and that's how things are.
The weirdest thing, though, is the fact that free-bleeding is now a thing. Has feminism reached a point where a stand can only be made by jeopardizing your own hygiene? Is it really necessary to run a marathon, in full view, while bleeding through your pants? I see the good intentions, but I don't agree with the execution. Do you not feel uncomfortable? Doesn't it feel like you're wetting your pants? Okay, maybe you are truly daring enough to televise your courageous act, but have you not forgotten why women's hygiene supplies were invented in the first place? There are many women in third-world countries who are extremely grateful for the reusable pads they receive from healthcare organisations, and here you are, bleeding freely?
It makes me sound closed-minded and probably quite ignorant, but I see the free-bleeding movement as unnecessary. Not only does it put your own health at risk, it also soils public hygiene. I mean, what's the point of having clean chairs when all you're gonna do is bleed all over it? Doesn't sound too great to me.
Once again, let me say that period-shaming is offensive, degrading and pointless. But if you want to take a stand against it, preserve your own dignity, please. And don't dirty the chairs.