The Beach Is Your Friendjust Like The Pool
You can swim in the ocean just as freely as your backyard pool. Obviously, the amount of water in the ocean is going to dilute the chances of germs being spread through bodily fluids. And if youre worried about sharksdont be. A shark will sense menstrual blood in the water just like any other fluid, but youre just as likely to be bitten by a shark when youre on your period as when youre not . So noJaws wont be after you just because youre dealing with Auntie Flo.
Can You Wear A Menstrual Cup While Swimming
Like tampons, menstrual cups are worn internally and can be worn while swimming in any kind of water. Menstrual cups will add to your options for pool day period solutions but there are some important things to consider. If youâre looking to pack light and make room in your beach tote, a menstrual cup might be a good choice since theyâre made of medical grade silicone and are reusable, you only need to pack or wear one and can use it swim after swim for up to one year. Itâs invisible and mostly sensation-free if inserted in the right position. Good new, since you can wear a Tampax Cup for up to 12 hrs at a time, it allows you the freedom to insert at home and remove at the end of the day. A downside though of period cup is because they are reusable, if you need to clean and reuse while out and about, you will need to clean it by rinsing with mild soap and water every time before you reinsert it, which could be challenging in a public restroom at swimming pools, lakes, or beachesâ¦you do not want that menstrual cup getting any amount of sand left on it. Yikes.
Can You Recycle Tampon Applicators
Sadly, the answer here is no. Because tampons have been in contact with what is defined as human waste, they cannot be recycled in conventional city or country recycling streams. While tampon applicators canât be recycled, all Tampax boxes can be recycled and many of them are actually made from recycled materials. If youâre interested in reusable period products, try a menstrual cup like the Tampax Cup â a medical-grade silicone cup that you insert into your vagina to capture period blood for up to 12 hours. Where a tampon works by absorbing the blood to contain it, a cup simply holds it until youâre ready to change it. When youâre done, all you have to do is remove it, dump the contents into the toilet bowl, and wash it thoroughly to sanitize. Good for you, good for your period, and good for the environment.
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What If Blood Leaks Through My Undies And Pants
Oh, no! There’s blood on the back of your pants what do you do? It happens to just about every girl at some point. Sometimes it happens when you aren’t at home, so you can’t change right away. But if you’re wearing a sweater or jacket, you can take it off and tie it around your waist. Then get a fresh tampon or pad so that it doesn’t bleed through your pants more than it already has.
Change as soon as you can. You’ll need to rinse your underwear and pants with cold water as soon as possible. Sometimes, the stain comes out and sometimes it doesn’t. To avoid this problem, change your pads and tampons regularly and keep extras in your backpack or locker.
For extra protection on heavy days, some girls use a tampon and wear a pad or absorbent period underwear. You also might want to wear dark-colored underwear and pants during your period.
Can You Swim On Your Period
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People often write to us asking if itâs okay to swim while menstruating. Willyou get terrible cramps, catch an infection or be eaten by sharks? Not likely.
If you enjoy swimming during the rest of your cycle, thereâs no reason to stopjust because you have your period.
Still, life is not a âif youâd rather lie on the sofa and eat pizza, thereâs no shame in that. Read onfor answers to all your period swimming questions.
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Can You Go Swimming On Your Period Facts Options & Strategies
Swimming on your period can be stressful, but it doesnt have to be. As with anything in life, how you choose to deal with it is up to you! Its your body, your life, and your choice. And for the rest of the time, theres KT by Knix. Happy swimming!
Dealing with your period can always bring on a bit of anxiety, but swimming on your period can put you into full-on panic mode. Growing up, I was enrolled in swimming lessons year-round as I worked towards my lifeguarding certification. Like most young girls, I started out using pads to deal with period leakage, not tampons. Pads cant be worn in the water because they absorb water from the pool, instead of your period leakage. For about two years before I was comfortable using tampons, I would skip swimming lessons while on my period because I was afraid of leaking.
So, is it ok to swim on your period? Yes. Were going to go over some of the most common questions associated with swimming on your period and the best solutions if you want to hop in the water while Aunt Flo is in town.
Your Period Stops When You Get In The Water
Don’t fall for this myth, and get yourself into a sticky situation! “Your period doesn’t slow down or stop in waterit just may not flow outside the vagina because of the counter pressure of the water,” says Dr. Nucatola. “When you’re in the bathtub or the shower your period does not stop and it’s no different than being in a swimming pool or the ocean.” So, if you’re hitting a pool party, youll still want to grab a tampon or menstrual cup.
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Period Pads For Swimming
If menstrual cups arent an option, you may still be wondering how to swim on your period without a tampon.
Getting into the water with a pad is a bit trickier when compared to using tampons or a menstrual cup. Pads are super absorbent if they come into contact with water, they will become useless.
When disposable pads get wet, they can slip out from under your swimsuit.
A pad without wings will be the most discrete, as it wont peek out from your clothes. Instead of getting your whole body wet, you may decide to sit at the edge of the pool with your feet dangling in the water. If youre at the beach, you can wade through the water, which will keep your pad dry.
If you do choose to get in the water, you can wear dark-colored shorts over your swim bottoms. This will make the pad less obtrusive and hide any leakage.
Having Your Period Should Never Hold You Back From Doing The Things You Love Living Life To The Fullest And Having A Great Time
This includes going on vacation, visiting the beach, or having a pool party with friends. What about swimming on your period with a pad?
Can you go swimming with a pad?
Swimming on your period with a pad is not advised.
Pads are made out of absorbent material that soaks up liquids within seconds.
Submerged in water like a pool, a pad will completely fill with water, leaving no room for it to absorb your menstrual fluid. Plus, it may swell up into a big soppy mess. No fun.
Water can also make the sticky backing that keeps your pad in place ineffective. This is why itâs not a good idea to swim on your period with a pad.
However, if youâre just lounging poolside or sunbathing on the beach, feel free to wear a pad. You may want to wear a pair of shorts or a cover-up over your swim bottoms to make yourself more comfortable. However, if you plan on taking a dip in the water, itâs better to wear a tampon.
While weâre at it, letâs put your mind at ease about a few more things girls wonder about swimming while on their period:
BTW – getting your pad wet wonât cause you any harm. So, if your pad gets wet by accident, donât sweat about it.
You can swim with a pad from a physical standpoint. It wonât hurt you in any way. But from a protection standpoint â no, you canât swim with a pad.
If youâre comfortable using tampons, go ahead and put one in and dive right into the water.
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Put The Barrier On Outside Of The Pool
If youre using a condom, I would recommend placing it on outside of the water, says Jackie.
And if youre using a dental dam, she recommends having the receiver of oral sex sit on the ledge of the pool where it may be less likely to slip.
To be very clear: While these precautions help, pool chemicals and poolside products can still reduce the effectiveness of these barriers and make pregnancy and STI transmission risk high.
How Does A Tampon Work
Unlike pads, which catch blood after it comes out of the vagina, a tampon is put in the vagina. It’s made of soft material with a string for easy removal. The opening to the vagina is between the urethra and the anus .
It may take a little time to get the hang of using tampons. Tampon applicators can be plastic or cardboard, and you can use whichever one you like better. Inside each box, there’s an instruction booklet that will tell you how to insert a tampon.
Tampons come in different absorbencies. Try starting with regular and then switching if you need to. You should change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours or when it’s filled with blood.
If a tampon ever does feel “stuck,” it’s only temporary. It can’t get lost inside you because there’s no way out except through the vagina. Relax and wait a few minutes, and then you should be able to get the tampon out.
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Myths About Swimming And Menses
Most of the information that you find recommending restricting your physical activity during your period is based on cultural beliefs, taboos, and myths about menstruation. Being in the water while you are menstruating does not put you at an increased risk of infection.
Also, there are no changes in your body during your period that would make you more susceptible to injury while swimming.
Another common fear about swimming in the ocean during your period is the thought that menstrual blood will attract sharks. Although potentially a compelling reason to pass up on a swim, the consensus among shark experts is that people who are menstruating do not attract sharks.
The most important thing to consider when swimming with your period is to be sure that you have adequate protection to control your bleeding.
Manage Your Pms Symptoms Or Skip Your Period Entirely
Unless youre one of *those people* who enjoys exercising on your period, it can sometimes be rough doing strenuous activity during shark week. Keep track of your cycle, and take the appropriate dose of painkillers the night before your beach day to stop cramps in their tracks. To be fair, light exercise like swimming is said to alleviate cramps naturally, so if your PMS symptoms are mild, you might be in the clear!
Alternatively, if you are on hormonal birth control like NuvaRing or the pill, you can consider consulting your doctor about skipping your placebo week no period, no problem !
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Help I Already Swam With Contacts
If youre reading this article because you already swam with contacts and now your eyes are telling you that you shouldn’t have, it’s going to be okay.
If you can, take out your contact lenses immediately and throw them away. Use whatever eyedrops you have on hand to help flush irritants from your eyes. This will hopefully remove the bacteria from the pool water that entered your eyes. The drops will then moisturize your eyes, recreating your tear film layer.
Before you put new contacts in, make sure your eyes aren’t still irritated. Yes, you may have to wear your glasses for the rest of the day. But if you have to put contacts in right away, wash your hands and face before you put in the new ones. It’ll stop the bacteria from getting on your new lenses.
Youre More Likely To Get An Infection If You Go Swimming On Your Period
Swimming on your period shouldnt increase your chances of vaginal infection. There are, however, a few things to consider.
The chlorine used in swimming pools as well as the sediment in the sea may irritate the vagina or vulva . Thats why its recommended you always shower after swimming. If this is something youre worried about, getting changed out of wet swimwear may also reduce the likelihood of irritation or infection.
As a Mooncup Advice Assistant, I can assure you that vaginal infections are not an uncommon complaint around the time of your period, but they should not be ignored. Generally, the vaginal pH is acidic but, during menstruation the vaginal pH becomes more alkaline. Because of this, some people are more prone to getting a non-serious bacterial infection at this time regardless of whether they are swimming or not. If you feel you may have an infection or have noticed any change to your vaginal discharge , you should get it checked out by a doctor or nurse who will be able to help.
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What To Do When You Hit The Beach
If youre on a beach, make sure you position yourself not too far from the nearest café or toilets, so you can change tampons easily. If youre out in the wilds and there are no toilets close by, you may need to hide behind some bushes or improvise with a beach umbrella. Whatever you do, dont buy into the notion that swimming on your period is a no-no. Just make sure you plan ahead and have fresh protection with you.
Do You Fear You’re Going To Leave A Trail Of Blood In The Pool
Will you get terrible cramps or catch an infection? Women often come across these questions when they think of swimming while menstruating. If you enjoy swimming during the rest of your cycle, there’s no reason to stop just because you have your period.
Female health app Clue has answered eight commonly asked questions about swimming when you’re on your period, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
Is it unhygienic to swim while menstruating?
There’s nothing unhygienic about swimming during your period. If you use a tampon or menstrual cup, it’s unlikely that any blood will be released into the water while you swim. Even if your period started while you were swimming and a small amount of blood came out, this would be diluted by the water. Swimming pools contain small amounts of bodily fluids like urine and sweat, but the water is usually treated with chlorine to prevent the spread of disease. In other words, you are not endangering anyone’s health by swimming during your period.
Will I leave a bloody trail in the water?
Water pressure can stop your flow temporarily while you swim, but if you laugh, cough, sneeze, or move around, the pressure can change and a small amount of blood might come out. The good news is it probably won’t be visible. When you get out of the water your period will flow again normally, so it’s a good idea to use a tampon or menstrual cup while swimming. Sanitary and pantyliners aren’t a good option because they will absorb water and become ineffective.
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