Period scooping is the new viral trend all over TikTok. Videos about ‘scooping’ on the platform have reached over 6.6 million views as influencers claim you can avoid your period completely by “scooping” out the contents of the vagina.
Popular methods involve using your fingers to completely clean out the blood and uterine lining, or douching by washing out the vagina with water, a shower head, or soap.
Medical misinformation is ripe on social media. That is why Dr Rupa Parmar, GP, Medical Director of Midland Health, and expert in women’s health, is warning about the risks of this trend and spreading awareness of the importance of proper menstrual education.
Dr Rupa Parmar said, “Inserting your fingers inside your vagina comes with a risk of injury from fingernails and can also introduce germs and really throw off your vagina’s pH. 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.
“This trend isn’t new. Menstrual extraction, a manual vacuum technique, was developed in the 70s by feminist abortion activists and allowed access to early abortion without medical assistance or legal approval. Its historical origins served a real purpose, but now, with abortions and birth control accessible in the UK, there are better options than trying to remove your period physically.
“Period blood isn’t gross or embarrassing, and a period is not something to be scooped out; unlearning that starts with proper education about women’s health, something that is really lacking in this country.
Shame generally leaves people to rely on medical myths passed through friends or social media rather than accurate, science-backed information. This lack of education can also impact health outcomes, as people may not be able to recognise what is normal or when to seek medical advice.
“This problem is made worse by the rise of online health misinformation. Social media platforms are flooded with misleading claims about menstruation, and influencers without medical expertise can spread these ideas quickly. They can feel more trustworthy than traditional sources despite being wholly inaccurate. But you should always second-guess what you see online and seek out credible sources to confirm or deny the information you see. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to health.”
