Is It Hygienic To Swim On Your Period
Most people pay close attention to their hygiene during their period. Depending on your comfort level, you may feel more cautious about swimming at this time. Nevertheless, its absolutely possible to swim during your period.
Both indoor and outdoor swimming pools add a halogen to the water either chlorine or bromine.
What do these chemicals do? They kill the bacteria and other microbes that accumulate in a warm, wet place where lots of people swim. In treated water, the chance of getting an infection when swimming in a pool is, thankfully, low. Some doctors recommend avoiding lake or ocean swimming due to a greater risk of infection, as these bodies of water cant be treated with a halogen.
If you wear sanitary products, make sure to keep any used ones out of the water because they could pose a health risk to other swimmers.
What’s The Best Period Protection For Swimming
While pads and panty liners won’t help you in the water, you have a few period protection options when it comes to swimming: tampons, menstrual cups, and menstrual discs.
When in comes to tampons, you want to pick the size and protection level that will make you feel comfortable, but with the lowest absorption possible. Higher absorbency tampons have been linked to an increased risk for toxic shock syndrome a bacterial infection that can be deadly.
Its important to avoid leaving tampons in for more than eight hours, says Gianni Rodriguez-Ayala, MD, who works in obstetrics and gynecology at Northwell Health. Selecting the right tampon for your particular body and flow can make it easier to avoid habits that could lead to TSS. Whether you want a more traditional tampon, or the organic variety, is up to you.
If you’re worried about TSS or just find tampons uncomfortable, a menstrual cup or disc can be a great option . If you’re new to reusable period protection like cups and discs, use this handy guide to learn how to insert and remove them.
Another option? Period-proof swimwear. With a similar construction to period-proof underwear, period-proof swimwear can help you avoid any leaks or stains when you’re menstruating. Brands like Ruby Love offer cute options that can act as your sole protection or as backup to a tampon or cup.
What Happens If I Don’t Have Pads Or Tampons Handy
If this happens, here are your options: Borrow from a friend, buy some from a restroom dispenser, visit the school nurse if you’re at school, or call home so your mom or dad can bring you what you need. If you are desperate and trying to keep your clothes from staining, you can fold up some tissues or toilet paper and place them in your underwear. That won’t work for long, so you’ll need to get some pads or tampons quickly.
If you’re nervous about telling the school nurse, a teacher, or another adult about what you need, write it down on a piece of paper or use code words. You might say that “it’s that time of the month” or that you need some “personal supplies.” Even better, keep extras in your backpack, locker, or gym bag.
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Can I Swim Without A Tampon Or Cup If My Period Is Light
With all the above in mind, you might get away with not wearing anything at all whilst swimming if your period is suuuuuper light. It’s unlikely that you’re going to *gush* whilst in the water, especially if you’re at the very end of your cycle, and darker bathers will help mask any accidental leaks, should they happen .
If you’re not willing to risk it, go with the lightest possible tampon absorbency you can for your flow .
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.
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Benefits Of Swimming During Your Period
Not only is it safe to go swimming during your period, but it is also a good idea. Staying active has been shown to help ease the cramping and fatigue that some people experience during their monthly period.
Swimming, in particular, can be very helpful. Since your body is buoyant in the water, you may not notice the discomfort of the bloating that you may have during your period. Gentle nonswimming aquatic exercise has also been shown to be very helpful in managing painful periods.
Swimming or other aquatic exercises might be a great way to get pain and stress relief during your period. Even if you are simply wading at the beach, dont let your period stop you from enjoying a nice day in the sun. Just dont forget to pack a few extra tampons along with your sunscreen.
How Do You Insert A Tampon For Swimming
The same way you would if you weren’t swimming, Moxette. But if you’re new to tampons, here’s what to do: choose the tampon absorbency that best suits your flow , wash your hands, get in a comfy position and follow these easy how to instructions on how to insert a tampon.
Remember to change your tampon at least every 4 – 6 hours and never leave it in for more than 8 hours at a time).
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Swimming With A Cold Might Be Ok But Know The Risks For You And For Others
There are times of year when it seems nearly impossible to avoid catching a cold or the flu. Everyone in the office and at your kids school is sick and youre bound to catch something. You might need to stay home to get better and to avoid giving your illness to other people. But you might also feel like theres no need and you want to get back to swimming.
There are some issues, though, with swimming with a cold. And in addition to worrying about your illness and exercise, you should take into consideration the chance of others catching your cold.
Can You Go To The Bathroom With A Tampon In
Absolutely! A quick anatomy lesson for you: You actually have two different holes down there. Period blood comes out of your vagina, which is connected to your uterus. Urine comes out of your urethra, which is connected to your bladder. So when you insert a tampon, itâs going into your vagina and leaving your urethra clear to urinate normally. But, you might be wondering, what happens if I get pee on the string? Nothing really, but if the thought of walking around with a pee-soaked tampon string has too much of an ick factor for you, just hold the string to the side and out of the way when you pee. Problem solved.
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Are Tampons Safe For Swimming
Tampons are generally ‘safe’ to use during your period whilst swimming , though they have been associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome . TSS is a very very rare but potentially life-threatening disease and whilst tampons do not contain the bacteria the causes TSS, it’s important to know and understand the facts, and how you can help reduce your risk, prior to use. Learn more about TSS, HERE.
Note: all tampons, irrespective of what they’re made from, carry the same risks associated with TSS . Tampons and period cups should always be used in accordance with the instructions in pack – be sure to read these before use, and keep them handy for future reference.
What Type Of Menstrual Protection Should You Choose
We dont recommend using a sanitary pad at the pool, and thats because it wont just absorb your blood itll soak up water too! The consequences? Its not just the fact that youll be inviting a bunch of pool chemicals into your body once your pads full of water, itll stop absorbing your flow. And that means more leakage with each and every kick and stroke.
For zero-stress swimming while youre on your period, your best bet is to choose from one of the following forms of protection:
- Menstrual cups: Being reusable, theyre perfect for strong flows.
- Tampons: They work well and are almost imperceptible, but you need to be aware of the potential dangers to your health.
- Menstrual bathing suits: Theyre made for swimming during menstruation without protection.
And dont forget, tampons and menstrual cups need to be changed regularly, even at the beach! Thats major.
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Can I Swim With A Cold
Yes, if youre not debilitated, then you can swim with a cold. The question here is: Should you swim with a cold?
In general, if your symptoms are above the neck then you can do moderate exercise. This is largely based on one study that found otherwise healthy people who had a basic coldwhich they were given for the sake of the studyfound their symptoms didnt get worse and in some cases were relieved by moderate exercise. The length and severity of their cold was no worse than those who didnt exercise.
There is also other research that suggests brief bouts of high-intensity exercise dont affect the immune systemthough it probably doesnt feel good either if youre hacking and coughing.
What this means in practice is swimming with a cold is likely OK if youre just stuffed up and maybe have a sore throat. But if the symptoms extend below the neck, then you shouldnt exercise. That means stay out of the pool if you have a fever, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, an infection that settles in your lungs, or swollen glands. The American Council on Exercise recommends two weeks before returning to intensive exercise if you have any of those symptoms. You also shouldnt exercise if the illness lasts for an extended period of time.
Am I Going To Get Eaten By Sharks
We’ve already covered this very important question here, but there’s no harm in a recap. Basically: don’t worry. Just because youre on your period, doesn’t mean youre going to attract sharks and recreate a scene from Jaws. To date, there are no recorded cases of sharks attacking someone who was menstruating, and according to the International Shark Attack File, people quite happily dive while on their period. And although its true that more research into this topic could be done, there’s currently no correlation between menstruating divers and increased numbers of shark attacks. Phew.
Marie Levine, Founder and Executive Director of The Shark Research Institute has been diving for decades with no problems at all. She told Mother Jones, even got my period while underwater with a school of hammerheads – the sharks were not interested and I had to fin like crazy to get close to them.
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Misconceptions About Menstruation And Swimming
Having your period can be a real pain sometimes, but it doesnt have to curtail your swimming. Misconceptions about periods and swimming abound, so lets take a look at some of the most common.
You cant swim with your period
This is a straight-up myth. You absolutely can swim while having your period. I successfully swam solo across the English Channel on the heaviest day of my flow in August 2009, in fact.
Most other female swimmers have similar stories. Fu Yuanhuis charming candor during a post-race interview poolside at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympicsshed gotten her period the night before the race and wasnt feeling greatis a great example of how this normal and natural bodily function doesnt have to hold you back from pursuing your aquatic goals.
The key to swimming while youre having your period is to make friends with tampons or another type internal menstruation product, such as a menstrual cup or disc, that can catch the flow.
Your period stops in water
Not quite. Although its true that the pressure of being immersed in water can slow the flow, your period will carry on to some degree, even if you cant see evidence of it in your swimsuit. This is why its important to always wear a tampon or use a menstrual cup to collect the blood and keep it from entering the pool.
You should wear a pad, even when swimming
You should avoid open water when you have your period because itll attract sharks
Everyone will know I have my period
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When Do Most Girls Get Their Period
Most girls get their first period when they’re around 12. But getting it any time between age 10 and 15 is OK. Every girl’s body has its own schedule.
There isn’t one right age for a girl to get her period. But there are some clues that it will start soon:
- Most of the time, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop.
- Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.
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You’re Supposed To Get Your Period By 3 You’re Supposed To Get Your Period By
There is no “normal” age to get your first period. Seriously. What is normal, is for you and your friends to get your periods at different times. Most start menstruating anywhere between 9 and 15 years old, often around the time that others in their families got theirs. But, if there’s no sign of your period by the time you’re 15, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor, advises Dr. Nucatola.