Would a man know the color of blood better than a woman? Probably not.
Pale, dark, reddish, brownish, watery, gooey, chunky, sticky- blood play in roles with women like no other. And if you didn’t already know, on average, a woman bleeds for seven years in her lifetime. Poetically, one could say an ovum left unfertilised is a woman bidding farewell to a life that never began.
For some, periods are sacred- a mark of womanhood. For others, it’s an every-month horror of cramps, mood swings, and unpredictable leaks. From mud, animal skin, ash, cow dung, clothes, pads, cups, tampons, period underwear and discs, women use various helpers to hold it between. But beyond just dealing with the flow, what if blood wasn’t just discarded but repurposed? Yes, people do that.
Menstrual Masking: Blood for Skin
Yup, some women apply period blood on their faces in what’s called menstrual or moon masking- a DIY skincare trend that claims to give you clearer skin by “reabsorbing nutrients and stem cells” from your blood. Sounds mystical?
Skin ‘glow’ or ‘no’ depends on individual’s choice. But dermatologists strongly warns against it, calling it unsanitary and risky. Doctors see no chances of blood penetrating the upper layer of the skin, like in PRP treatments using blood plasma. There’s zero scientific proof it actually works.
Menstrual Art: A Bloody Medium
Some women don’t just bleed, they create with it. Using period blood as paint, they transform their cycles into art.
Artists have made headlines with photos of period stains on bedsheets and with their “bloody” paintings. Why period blood is considered offensive while other types of blood aren’t? Some artists have turned to menstrual blood art to challenge this stigma, making it a form of rebellion on canvas.
While some see it as cool, others call it unhygienic and disturbing. Either way, it’s blood on canvas with a purpose.
Period Jewellery: Wear the Flow
Believe it or not, menstrual blood jewellery exists. Mixed with resin, blood is preserved in rings, pendants, necklaces etc. Why? Probably to celebrate womanhood, fertility, and the body’s natural cycles or maybe they’re just creative.
May not be mainstream yet, but it’s part of a growing movement to turn menstruation from something hidden into something worn with beauty, pride.
Menstrual Manure: Feeding the Earth
Some eco-conscious folks collect their period blood, dilute it with water, and feed their plants. The idea? Menstrual blood is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, iron, phosphorous and potassium, which helps plants thrive. Just like many of the store bought fertilisers.
Might sound bizzare but not very unconventional though. This can be connected to some ancient traditions where menstrual blood was seen as a sacred gift to the earth. Why waste something that can literally help things grow?
Blood Magic: Little Witchcraft
If you think period talk makes people uncomfortable, wait till you bring up menstrual blood in spells.
Some believe it can be used in love magic, protection rituals, or even energy work. One common belief? A drop of menstrual blood in a partner’s food or drink can bind them to you. (Wouldn’t recommend trying it, though.)
This idea isn’t new. Menstrual blood has been linked to witchcraft, divination, and fertility rituals for centuries. Whether you see it as real power or just superstition, one thing’s for sure- it adds a whole new layer to ‘period talk’.
So… Movement or Madness?
For some, all this is about embracing change. For others, it’s straight-up gross. But here’s the thing, people are breaking taboos in the boldest and creative ways possible. Maybe that’s the real revolution- turning what’s hidden into something seen, celebrated, and redefined.
