A new viral trend on TikTok called 'period scooping' is raising concerns among health experts. The trend claims to shorten menstruation through various methods, including contracting pelvic floor muscles or douching with water and soap.
While contracting pelvic muscles to expel fluid is not dangerous, it does not shorten periods, as menstruation is driven by hormonal changes in the womb lining. More worrying are posts advocating vaginal douching, which can disrupt the vagina's natural pH and increase the risk of infections like bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Experts note that these trends highlight a gap in menstrual education, especially given the availability of effective products like menstrual cups and period underwear. Other viral claims, such as consuming lime juice or spices to stop periods, lack scientific basis, as diet cannot abruptly alter the menstrual cycle.
Some influencers also promote menstrual blood as a face mask, but skin acts as a barrier, preventing any anti-ageing effects. However, research into menstrual stem cells shows promise for diagnosing conditions like endometriosis and aiding wound healing.
