Can You Get In The Pool On Your Period

Can You Wear A Menstrual Cup While Swimming

SWIMMING ON YOUR PERIOD | BeingGirl Locker Notes Guru: Ep. 28

Like tampons, menstrual cups are worn internally and so can be worn while swimming in any kind of water. Menstrual cups give you an additional option when it comes to pool day period solutions, but there are a few important things to consider before you decide. If youâre looking to pack light and make room in your beach bag, a menstrual cup might be a good choice theyâre made of medical grade silicone and are reusable, so you only need to pack or wear one and can use it all day. Itâs invisible and mostly sensation-free if inserted in the right position. Even better is that you can wear a Tampax Cup for up to 12 hours at a time, giving you the freedom to insert your menstrual cup at home, wear it all day and remove it when youâre back home at the end of the day. However, a downside of the menstrual cup is that because itâs reusable, if you need to clean it and re-insert it while youâre out and about, you will need to clean it by rinsing with mild soap and water every time, which could be challenging in a public toilet. Not to mention the fact that you do not want your menstrual cup getting any amount of sand on it!

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.

What Is Period Swimwear

Period swimwear is a special type of swimmer that contains a hidden lining which works to absorb menstrual fluid and protects the wearer from leakage. Its great for people who are seeking added protection alongside a tampon or menstrual cup or who people arent comfortable wearing these but still need some kind of barrier.

Period swimwear also works as a protective barrier against light bladder leakage, pelvic floor mishaps and spotting, making it a great alternative for people of all ages.

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Can You Go Swimming With A Tampon

Yes, of course, it’s probably the safest and easiest option out there.

But, as in daily life, there are always other options available if you cant, or dont want to use a tampon. Try using a menstrual cup or sponge as an alternative. If your flow is light, then you could also try wearing a dark coloured suit, as this will prevent staining.

A final option is to wear waterproof, absorbent swimwear, like the Ruby’s swimsuits here. They look like normal bikini bottoms, but have a hidden and leak-proof lining that helps absorb menstrual blood.

The Sharks Will Come For You

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Its an old wives tale that sharks will be able to sniff out your period blood and come after you. According to Steve Kajiura of Florida Atlantic Universitys Shark Lab the sharks dont even want our blood! What theyre interested in is detecting amino acids in the water, such as those excreted by parts of marine animals that sharks are actually evolved to eat.

So, can you swim with sharks on your period? Marie Levine, founder and executive director of the Shark Research Institute, told Mother Jones: Ive been diving for decades and 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.

Okay, so you can swim on your period without fear of sharks or infections, its not unhygienic, no-one will be able to tell and your cramps may even be relieved! But

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Can I Catch An Infection From Swimming During My Period

Its unlikely that you will catch a vaginal infection from swimming simply because you’re on your period, although the chance of infection is increased if you opt to go wild swimming.

“Swimming in polluted water can increase the risk of experiencing skin irritation and getting a Urinary Tract Infection ,” points out Dr O’Neill. “Wearing a wet bathing suit for a long time after you are done with your swim can also increase the likelihood of irritation and infection, however these risks are not exclusive to when you are on your period.”

She adds: “It is always recommended to have a shower and change into clean, dry clothes after you have been swimming to prevent the above from happening.”

The most common complaints from swimming in contaminated water often include skin infections and stomach illnesses .

You can always check with the regional health authority for information on the water quality at your favourite swimming spot, if youre worried.

In some cases, the chlorine in swimming pools can irritate the vulva and vagina, which can leave you at risk of developing a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis . If this happens, dont panic, just have a shower immediately after swimming in chlorinated pools, and dont sit around in your wet swimwear.

“If you have any unusual itching, burning or discharge that persists after your swim, consider speaking with your doctor,” reminds Dr O’Neill.

Swimming On Your Period Is Unhygienic

Periods are perfectly natural! They are not unsanitary and shouldnt be treated as a biohazard. If youre in a large body of water and your period does happen to start unexpectedly, then chances are it will be so diluted so it wont even be visible.

To help put your mind at rest, an Olympic size swimming pool contains roughly 2,500,000 litres of water, whereas most people lose less than 80ml of menstrual blood during an entire period!

And as a final point to ease any concerns that swimming on your period could be unhygienic, many swimming pools are treated with chlorine in order to protect swimmers from anything that could end up in the water .

As with any other form of exercise, we recommend emptying your Mooncup before and after swimming.

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For Picking Up On The Go

Tampax Pearl Tampons

These little blue tampons from Lola have a lot going for them. For starters, theyre made from 100 percent organic cotton, and the plastic applicator is totally BPA-free. And theyre super compact, so they wont take up valuable real estate in your beach bag that should be devoted to sunscreen, beach snacks, and cans of rosé.

You can order just one box from Lolas website. Or you can be prepared and set up a personalized subscription for the rest of the summer. Lolas boxes are super customizableyou can decide exactly how many light, regular, super, and super+ tampons you want and how often you want them. Might as well have them shipped straight to the beach.

Period Pads For Swimming

Going in the POOL with a PAD?! | Pads vs. Tampons

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.

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A Tampon Can Get Lost Inside Of Your Vagina

Good news: Nothing can get lost in your vagina. Your vagina ends at your cervix and a tampon can’t get beyond that. But if you can’t remember if you removed your tampon or not , try lying down and reaching into your vagina with clean fingers. The vagina is only about 3 to 4 inches long , so chances are, if a tampon’s in there, you’ll be able to feel it. “If you feel the tampon but absolutely can’t pull it out yourself, your doctor or nurse can help,” says Dr. Nucatola. So, don’t freak out, or be afraid to use tampons.

Which Cup To Choose

Well, first of all, choose the right cup for every month use , and when you find the right cup, there is no doubt you can walk, run or swim with her. So lets remind ourselves of some basics

Lilly Cups A and B

Lily Cup is the only cup that can be rolled as thin as a tampon. Its perfect for those who have a higher cervix or heavier flow while it offers complete comfort all period long. Its incredibly smooth design and slanted rim allow you to use this menstrual cup for up to 8 hours without worries.

Lilly Cup One

This reusable, soft and extremely comfortable menstrual cup is made of medical-grade silicone which makes it safe and secure, especially for first-time users.

Lilly Cup Compact A and B

The worlds first collapsible cup that folds flat and fits into a small protective case! You can toss it in your backpack, purse or pocket, and youre good to go. Then, when you need it, it can be popped open for up to 8 hours of non-stop protection. Hassle-free.

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Is It Unhygenic To Swim On My Period

No, its not! If you have a tampon or menstrual cup in, its extremely unlikely that any blood will get in the water, unless you leak through the tampon or menstrual cup. If you have a leak or choose to go without period protection, youre still covered. Pools are chlorinated to protect swimmers against the spread of bodily fluids such as sweat, urine, and menstruation. Even salt water pools have chlorination to prevent this, so youre not endangering your health by swimming on your period.

Why Does My Tampon Leak When I Swim

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There are a few culprits of a leaky tampon. Here are the most common ones:

  • You may not have inserted it correctly .
  • It may be inserted at an odd angle – try inserting a clean index finger and ensure it’s sitting in the right spot . Otherwise, remove your tampon and re-insert a new one.
  • You may not be using the right size for your flow .

If tamps aren’t working for you whilst in the water, you might want to try a reusable menstrual cup, instead. They sit a little lower in the vagina than a tampon, and take up more surface area internally, so are pretty good at catching any flow trying to make its way out! Some people report they have less leaks with cups but again, much like tamps, it’s important to insert and use them correctly.

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Can I Go To The Beach On My Period Without Wanting To Swim

Yes, you can tailor your activity level to whatever makes you comfortable. This varies for everybody based on personal factors like your flow, the time of year, the friends youre with, etc. If youd prefer, you can relax and watch the waves or other people. Also, you can wade through the water without actually going in for a swim.

If you plan to swim outside, don’t forget to put on sunscreen. This is especially important if youre prone to acne, as sunshine and periods can increase your risk of breakouts or aggravate existing acne.

Does Water Pressure Stop My Period When I Swim

Itâs complicated. Essentially, it may appear as though youâve stopped bleeding when you swim, but itâs actually physics at work. Because water creates more resistance than air, when youâre swimming in a pool, lake, ocean, or even just lying in the bath, there is pressure against the opening of your vagina that can temporarily prevent blood from coming out. Swimming or being in water does not stop your period altogether â once you exit the water, the pressure is gone and youâll likely start bleeding again.

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Its Good For Your Cramps

You mightve been told that swimming is a surefire way to make period cramps worse, but again its just not true . In fact, light exercise like swimming is often a fantastic way to beat those annoying aches and pains. This is because your body releases endorphins when you work out, and these act as a natural painkiller. They also give you an overall sense of wellbeing, which helps you to feel happier on any kind of flow.

Myth : You Cant Wear A Tampon In A Pool

Is It Okay to Swim with No Tampon during Your Period?

If you want to swim during menstruation, whether in the sea or a pool, you can for sure wear a tampon. Having said that, we really recommend using menstrual cups instead, and thats not only because of the health benefits: theyre also reusable! Just like when you use a tampon, your flow gets captured inside your vagina, and that means no leakage. Either way, whether you go tampon or cup, just make sure to change it regularly hygiene is queen, and the risks of toxic shock syndrome and yeast infections dont diminish at sea!

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Will Swimming On My Period Make My Cramps Worse

Exercises like swimming or light jogging can actually help to relieve cramps, rather than worsen them.

If you still dont feel comfortable swimming during your time of the month, youve always got sunbathing to fall back on! Sometimes you cant beat a little snooze in the sun.

Have you tried swimming on your period before? Let us know your top tips over on .

No One Actually Gets Toxic Shock Syndrome

It might not be in the news as often as it was back in the early 2000s, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore that warning on the tampon box. Toxic Shock Syndrome is rare, but it’s still real and very dangerous. Most people get TSS from wearing a high absorbency tampon for days at a time. “To avoid TSS it’s best to change your tampon every 3 to 4 hours and to use the least absorbent tampon you need,” says Dr. Nucatola. If you accidentally left yours in longer, don’t freak out. You’re probably fine, but see a doctor right away if you think you might have TSS. “Symptoms of TSS include vomiting, a high fever, diarrhea, muscle aches, sore throat, dizziness, faintness or weakness, and a sunburn-type rash,” says Dr. Nucatola.

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