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.
In Other Words: You Still Need Protection To Prevent Leakage
Just because your period isnt quite as active while youre in the water doesnt mean its going to stop completely especially if youre frequently moving in and out of the water.
If youre worried about someone noticing that youre on your period , try not to stress. You definitely dont have to avoid the water altogether.
Can I Catch An Infection From Swimming During My Period
Its unlikely that you will catch a vaginal infection from swimming. 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 notice any burning, itching, or unusual vaginal discharge after swimming, its wise to get it checked out by a doctor.
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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.
How To Swim On Your Period
If youre planning an epic trip to the beach or a weekend at the lake, there is no reason your fun should be stopped by your period. Dont huddle up on a lounge chair in sweats and a beach towel over your lapput on your favorite bikini and jump right in. That being saidthere are some things you can do to make your time on the coast or in the pool more comfortable and stress free if its that time of the month. If youre feeling any sort of anxiety about swimming on your period, lets nip those fears in the bud right now.
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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.
Sodoes Your Period Actually Stop In Water Even Just A Little
First, let it be known that water itself will never make your period disappear. It doesnt matter if youre in water or on the top of a mountain or in a ditch, your period still comes, says Michele Haughton, MD, an ob-gyn at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian.
Basically, barring any medical problems like hormonal disorders that can make you skip periods, your uterus will keep on shedding its lining whether you dive into the ocean or not, says Dr. Haughton. So, spending a week in your bathtub isnt an effective way to skip out on your monthly visit. Womp.
But getting into the water can make it seem like your period goes away. That’s all thanks to the pressure of the water surrounding your vaginait can counteract the force of gravity that helps blood flow out of your body. Theres no biological magic going on here, its all physics. When youre in water theres some opposite pressure happening, says Dr. Haughton.
Think back to your high school physics class for a sec: You may remember the word buoyancy. Buoyancy, also known as upthrust, is the upward force a liquid exerts to counter the weight of an object . Water has way more resistance than air, says Dr. Haughton. So water can counteract the blood flowing out of the vagina.
Essentially, the water doesn’t make your period stop, so to speak, but it can block the exit.
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Period Underwear Might Be An Option For Light Flows And Light Hikes
Like pads, Dr. Dardik says theres no official time limit to how long you can wear a pair of period-proof underwear. But there is a limit to how much fluid they can absorb before they start to leak and are rendered ineffective. For example, ModiBodis Hi-Waist Bikini holds three to four tampons worth of period blood. If youre exploring the great outdoors on one of your heavier days, if you have a heavy flow in general, or if you dont have a way to launder your clothes, period underwear might not be the best choice. But something like a pair of period-friendly shorts could be helpful for days when your flow is lighter.
Heres Why Its Totally Fine To Swim During Your Period
Vake Swimming and Fitness Club in Tbilisi, Georgia became the subject of uproar after a sexist sign was spotted on the pool’s premises, instructing women not to enter the water during their periods. Not only does the sign, and the rule it stands for, represent some seriously retrograde ideasthere is nothing wrong with swimming on your periodbut it’s extremely offensive to its club members, who pay the equivalent of $140 a month to attend.
Sophie Tabatadze, a new member of the club, noticed the sign earlier this month and shared a picture of it on . Do you even realize how offensive this is?” Tabatadze wrote in her post, in which she tagged the club. “And, by the way, since according to your rules we are not allowed to use a swimming pool 5-6 days each month, do we get a preferential price compared with men?
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Tabatadze also wrote a post directly on the club’s Facebook page, calling them out for “such an openly misogynistic message.” The club’s response, however, was to insist that their sign isn’t sexist at all. Our statement is not sexist and has a preventive objective, the club wrote in response to Tabatadze. We had a case, when the water was contaminated due to which we had suffered damage. We try to follow norms of hygiene and we ask our members to do the same.
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Best Tampons For Swimming
Tampons are specifically designed to absorb period flow before it can leave your body which makes them one of the best products to use for swimming on your period and you wonât have to worry about signs of your period showing in the water. Pads are made to absorb period flow too, but as we all know theyâre worn outside of the body and would be great at absorbing all that pool water too, hello soggy diaper bikini! So, do yourself a favor and leave the pads behind and snag a tampon. All Tampax tampons can be worn while swimming in any kind of water and only Tampax tampons have a LeakGuard Braid to help stop leaks before they happen to give you all-day comfort and protection for up to 8 hours. Check out how to insert a tampon and practice a few times before you head out to the water especially if wearing a tampon is new for you. Be sure to tuck the string into the lining of your swimming suit before you leave the bathroom, and you should be set.
Common Menstruation Myths Debunked
If you are on your period, you cant touch a pickle jar or it will go bad. You also cannot prepare sushi, bathe in the same tub as your family members, or drink cows milk, because you might poison the entire herd. In fact, its best if you just chill out in a dark shed, away from other people.
Sounds insane, right? Yet, even today, many countries around the world hold to these beliefs about menstruation. Youre probably in awe of how ridiculous it sounds, but even in the United States, there are menstruation myths that have been passed down, generation to generation, spurring on many false beliefs about having a period.
Dispelling myths about menstruation is part of a larger conversation that is meant to dismantle the societal stigma that comes with having a period. Knowing the difference between fact and fiction is a key part of ensuring that the world becomes a safer place in which to bleed. Not sure whats true and what was made up by thousands of years ago? We get it. Its hard to find solid information that can make things clear. Thats why we did the digging for you, to layout 9 of the most popular period mythsand the scientific truth that discredits them.
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How To Manage Weight Gain Before Your Period
Have you ever had cravings for certain types of food just before your period? Although you may be craving comfort foods, some unhealthy options can lead to period weight gain. Try to cut back or avoid these less-healthy options before and during your period:
- Salty foods
- Alcohol
- Fatty foods
Two things that might be able to help with PMS symptoms are exercising and drinking more water. It might seem counterintuitive, but increased water intake is one of the best things you can do to avoid feeling bloated and reduce the likelihood of weight gain before your period.
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 below. They look like normal bikini bottoms, but have a hidden and leak-proof lining that helps absorb menstrual blood.
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Periods Attract Sharks In The Ocean
Where did this crazy myth come from?! If your mom told you to stay out of the ocean when you have your period, they were a bit misinformed. Sharks will *not* smell the blood on you and come attack you. “There is no scientific evidence to suggest that women are more susceptible to shark attacks, or bear attacks for that matter, while menstruating,” explains Dr. Nucatola. Good to know this one is officially not true.
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 you’re not endangering anyones health by swimming when menstruating.
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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.
But even then, only a tiny amount of blood will be released, and it probably wont be visible as the water will dilute it. Getting out of the water will change the pressure again, 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.
Pads and pantyliners are unlikely to work very well, as they will simply absorb the water around them. If you have an intrauterine device , you should check with your doctor before using a menstrual cup.