People manage their periods in different ways, finding their own methods to deal with the pain, discomfort, and inconvenience that can come with menstruation. But now, experts are warning against a practice known as “period scooping.”
Being on your period can be uncomfortable, painful, and tiring. Throughout history, women have done all sorts of things to make it more manageable. Some take hot baths, others take pain medication, many use contraceptive medication that allows them to skip their monthly flow, and others use… more unexpected ways of dealing with their period.
Something you may have heard of on social media lately is “period scooping,” which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – consciously washing or “douching” the vagina, or in some cases even inserting fingers or objects to “scoop” out menstrual fluid.
One Reddit user recently shared: “When i’m in the shower i kind of try ‘scooping’ the blood out – I feel like I can ‘wash away’ gobs of blood before they get on my pad,” according to Tyla.
“Part of me also hopes this might make my period shorter even though I know that’s not likely.”
What is “period scooping”?
Immediately, another user replied: “I do this also since I have endometriosis and really I can’t help but do anything I can to get the clots of blood out as soon as possible.
“I am going to pass them one way or the other, so may as well be in the shower.”
And while some people believe this can make their period shorter or make menstrual bleeding easier to manage, experts are warning that the practice can come with risks.
Dr. Rupa Parmar, a GP, Medical Director of Midland Health and an expert in women’s health, said it can introduce germs and disrupt the vagina’s natural pH balance.
“Having a balanced pH level ensures your vagina is healthy and infection-free, but in some cases, it can become unbalanced. Things like infections, hormonal changes, and sex can cause a change in the vagina’s environment, but so can douching or washing with harsh soaps. It’s recommended to wash your vulva, but not the inside of your vagina, so as not to wash away the healthy bacteria and cause infections like thrush or bacterial vaginosis,” she said.
Experts are warning against it
And when it comes to shortening menstruation, that’s not how the human body works.
Christie Cobb, MD, FACOG, told SELF: “The duration of the menstrual cycle is determined by the shedding of the uterine lining, which passes through the cervix and the vagina prior to leaving the body.
“Removing what is in the vagina with the fingers is essentially the same as inserting and immediately removing a tampon. It might flush what is present in the moment, but will not change the flow from the uterus.”
She added: “This is definitely not something to be attempted at home. First, there is the risk of injury from scrapes or cuts to the vaginal mucosa or cervix from finger nails.”
So while some online users might recommend “period scooping” as a way to manage menstrual bleeding, the practice won’t make your period end sooner. If you have questions about managing your period, it’s always best to check with a medical professional.
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