But Pads And Liners Are A No
Its not that you cant wear pads or liners in the water during your period, but it generally isnt recommended.
These products are built to absorb liquid, so they arent just going to absorb your period. Theyre also going to absorb the water around you.
Translation? Things are probably going to get uncomfortable.
Plus, the adhesive doesnt always stick well to swimsuit fabric, so you also run the risk of losing a pad or a liner in the water.
But if youre in a bind, theres no rule that says you cant wear a pad in the water. Just make sure you take extra steps to secure it, and change it frequently.
Can You Go To The Waterpark On Your Period Without A Tampon
Swimming during your period without wearing feminine products will temporarily reduce the amount of water you can expel because the pressure will temporarily slow it, though it isnt going to completely extinguish it. In accordance with recommendations by experts, tampons and menstrual cups are recommended for using feminine health products as part of a swim.
What If You Leak Blood Into The Water Anyways
If you’re concerned about seeing your blood in the water due to a leak, put your mind at rest it should be diluted pretty quickly.
“Any small amount of blood that were to get into the water would either be neutralized by chemical treatment of the water or vastly diluted by a large body of natural water ,” says Meyers.
Another concern that may come to mind when swimming with your period, especially if you’re swimming in the ocean or another large body of water, is sharks. If you’re concerned that sharks will swarm around you, it likely won’t happen.
“There is no data that shark attacks increase while a woman is on her period,” says Millheiser.
Your regular flow shouldn’t prevent you from swimming. In fact, it can even benefit your body. “Swimming and exercise may be helpful for period cramps as well,” says Ho. Just make sure that your cramps aren’t too bad when you first get in the water and that you can swim comfortably without much pain.
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Can Swimming Make My Cramps Worse
Low intensity exercise can actually help relieve your menstrual cramps, as your body releases endorphins when you exercise which act as natural painkillers. “It can be very beneficial to move your body and exercise by swimming whilst on your period,” points out Dr Welsh.
In fact, research has shown that regular physical exercise may even be effective in preventing premenstrual syndrome .
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 You Go Down Water Slides On Your Period
If the water fills the sole, it is going to saturate the pad, resulting in its value being eroded as well as the contents going into the water. You are highly unsanitary, especially if you put it into the slide or pool without doing anything to prevent spreading. Unless something quickly becomes sanitized, the whole slide or pool will be emptied.
But What About The Blood
What about it? Sure, it can be a little unsettling to sit in a tub of bloody water, but period blood isnt just straight blood. Its also not dirty. It actually contains very little blood and is a combo of other vaginal secretions and cells from the uterine lining.
If youd rather not soak in it, there are ways to keep your bath from becoming a literal bloodbath, like wearing a tampon or a menstrual cup or disc while you bathe.
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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.
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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.
Can I Swim On My Period Or Is It Unhygienic
The long and the short of it is no, not at all. You can definitely go swimming while menstruating and not worry about leaving blood in the pool.
If you use a tampon or a menstrual cup, its extremely unlikely that blood will even enter the water, but if it does, swimming pools are all chlorinated to protect swimmers against the spread of disease from bodily fluids .
This fact was obviously overlooked by a fitness centre in Georgia in 2016, who posted a sign in the womens changing rooms sayingDear ladies! Do not go into the pool during periods. Supposedly, this was to protect other swimmers after someone contaminated the pool with menstrual blood, but its important to remember that youre not endangering anyones health by swimming when menstruating.
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How Menstrual Cups Work
Different brands of cups come in different shapes, so it can be worth trying a few to find the one thats most comfortable for you. Like a tampon, you shouldnt feel a menstrual cup once its inserted.
Menstrual cups are typically reusable. You remove them by pinching the base and pulling, which will release the seal. Then you empty the cup into the toilet, wash it carefully with soap and water, and reinsert it. At the end of your menstrual cycle, once your period has ended, its advisable to sterilize your cup in boiling water.
Execute A Swim Stroke
Now it’s time to put all of these skills together into a swim stroke. Most pools are 25 yards or 25 meters from the start of the lane to the other end of the lane. Swimming can be deceptively difficult, so if you’re a beginner swimmer, stick to starting with swimming 25-yard repeats. If that feels easy, you can aim for more distance.
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How To Swim On Your Period Without A Tampon
This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a board certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her residency at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2010, where she was awarded the Most Outstanding Resident in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Most Outstanding Resident in Oncology, and Most Outstanding Resident Overall.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 792,784 times.
Swimming while on your period can help to ease cramps and provide a gentle and fun way to exercise. While most women use tampons to contain their menstrual flow while swimming, other women either dislike tampons or cannot use them. Fortunately, there are several options to try for women who would like to swim on their period without using a tampon.
Simfamily Reusable Waterproof Bamboo Charcoal Menstrual Pads
This set of six waterproof pads are reusable, so your $14 really goes a long way. They come in varying absorbency levels, including panty liner, regular and heavy flow.
To clean them, simply soak them in cold water or use the presoak function on your washing machine to remove all of the menstrual blood from the bamboo fabric. You can then wash them on cold using a natural detergent and tumble dry on low.
âBuy it:ââPrice:â$13.99
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Is It Possible To Swim With A Menstrual Cup
Since its perfectly safe to go swimming when you have your period, you can swim with a menstrual cup to enjoy a leak-free period even when youre in the water. A menstrual cup works with suction, creating a seal with your vaginal wall to collect your blood. Your menstrual cups seal allows you to swim leak-free and prevents water from traveling up into your cup. No water gets in and no blood gets out, until you empty your cup, of course.
Swimming On Your Period Leakproof Swimwear Helps Absorb Menstrual Blood
Period swimwear is a superb option for confidence in water on your period. It can be used on its own or as a backup to other products
Knix period-proof swimwear is made to hold menstrual fluid and prevent leaks in the water. You can depend on it to hold 3 teaspoons of menstrual blood. Or wear it as a backup with a tampon or menstrual cup while at the beach or by the pool.
More than that: Leakproof swimwear isnt just period-proof. Its designed to catch all of lifes pesky leaks, including light bladder leaks.
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Myth #: Periods Attract Sharks
Sharks have really good senses of smell, so they pick up on more than just blood in the water.
They also sense urine and other bodily fluids which they arent into that will deter even the most curious shark from trying to make you an afternoon snack.
Still worried? There isnt any research to suggest that periods increase the likelihood of a shark attack, so you really are in the clear.
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.
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Myth : My Period Could Cause A Shark Attack
There is zero evidence to prove that swimming in an ocean with sharks while on your period would cause a shark attack. In addition to sharks being able to smell blood, they can also smell urine, sweat, mucus, and other bodily fluids that contain amino acids. Sharks prefer to snack on fish and only attack if they feel they are threatened.
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 , 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.
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How To Swim When You Are On Your Period
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Your menstrual cycle should never prevent you from enjoying a day at the beach or pool with your friends. In fact, getting some exercise while swimming with your period can help you reduce cramps and improve your mood. People have been venturing into the water since time immemorial, and you can do. If you want to know how to swim on your period, see Step 1 to get started.XResearch source
You Can Delay Your Period If You Want
If you really are worried about going in the pool or the sea whilst bleeding, there are options for delaying your period. If youre using the typical combined hormonal contraceptive pills, for example, you can just continue on with the next pack instead of taking the placebo pills or missing a week. You can also talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about switching to a pill set which means you only have a period every three months or so. If youre an avid swimmer and you love nothing more than being in the pool or the sea, this might be a better option for you. Wed always recommend talking to a trusted professional before switching up your birth control, or any medication. Better to be safe than sorry!
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Pms Is All In Your Head
Those mood swings and cravings you feel just before your period arrives? Totally real and totally normal. Phew! Twenty to fifty percent of women have emotional and physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome five days before their period starts. “Symptoms can range from bloating, fatigue, and changes in your appetite, to anxiety, tension, dizziness, and/or tender breasts,” says Dr. Nucatola. Both exercise and OTC pain meds have been known to lesson the symptoms, but if they are really bad, see your doc for other options.
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Will I Leave A Bloody Trail In The Water
When you get into a pool or take a dip in the sea, the water pressure can stop your flow temporarily. The only time this water pressure can drop slightly is if you laugh, cough, sneeze or move around.
“Weve all had nightmares of leaving a trail of blood behind us, but its not time to panic,” points out Dr Sarah Welsh, gynaecologist and cofounder at Hanx. “The water pressure can help prevent the blood flowing out as you swim. However, any increase in abdominal pressure such as coughing or laughing, would change the pressure and a small amount of blood may leak out,” she adds, although “a small leakage of blood would be diluted in the water, so very unlikely to be seen.”
If you do happen to have any leaks during your swim, swimming pools are all chlorinated to protect swimmers against the spread of disease from bodily fluids .
It’s important to be mindful though, that getting out of the water will change the pressure and your period will flow again normally, so its probably a good idea to use a tampon or a menstrual cup while swimming to avoid leaking once you head for land again. If you have an intrauterine device , you should check with your doctor before using a menstrual cup.
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