No It Wont Attract Sharks
Jaws really has done a number on people in the modern day, but were here to tell you that period blood does not attract sharks. A lot of people joke about it , but extensive research has shown that theres no correlation between shark attacks and menstruating swimmers or divers. To date, there have been no reports of people being attacked on their periods, and many people happily take trips and go diving when theyre on their time of the month.
So its good news all round its safe to swim in the ocean even if youre on your period. You wont bring any sharks to the beach!
You Can Delay Your Period For Swimming
If you use typical combined hormonal contraceptive pills, itâs possible to skip or delay your period by immediately starting your next pack instead of taking the placebo pills. Some hormonal contraceptives are designed so that you only have a period every three months. If youâre an avid swimmer and prefer not to use tampons or alternatives, you could ask your healthcare provider about these options and find what is best for you.
You Cant Scuba Dive On Your Period Right
Over to scuba diving #RealMooncupUser Lauren:
Just wanted to let you know that I wore my Mooncup® while diving several times a day for a few weeks, to depths of approx 18 metres, and it was absolutely fine. Cleaning it well on a remote island with no running water was more of an issue, but I managed! Thanks very much.
So, why not go with the flow and enjoy a nice dip in the water period or not!
The Mooncup® is great if you want to go swimming on your period. Find out more about the Mooncup menstrual and buy yours here. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us here.
Read more on the Mooncup Blog:
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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.
There’s No Reason Why Your Period Should Interrupt Your Daily Activities
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, theres no reason to stop just because you have your period.
Here’s the answer to eight commonly asked questions about swimming when you’re on your period.
* 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.
* Can swimming make my cramps worse?
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If You Miss A Period You’re Pregnant
Pregnancy is the most common reason for a missed period, but there are other reasons it could go MIA. “Stress, illness, and changes in weight or nutrition can all affect your menstrual cycle,” says Dr. Nucatola. Your period probably won’t be on an exact cycle, like every 28 days. Plus, missing a period is even more common in the first year after you start menstruating. It can take from six months to a year for your period to become regular after you first get it. And for some people, it might never be regular. Still, if you are sexually active and miss a period, see your doctor for a pregnancy test, just to be safe.
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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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It’s Gross To Have Sex On Your Period
As long as you and your partner feel comfortable and use protection, it’s totally fine to have sex during your period. You might even notice you want to have sex more while you’re on your period and that’s totally normal, too. “Menstruation causes a fluctuation of hormones and increase blood flow which can actually increase arousal,” Dr. Nucatola explains. “Many find that sexual arousal and having an orgasm helps relieve menstrual cramps.” It’s entirely about what you feel most comfortable with. Just make sure to still use a condom to protect against STDs as well as unwanted pregnancy.
How To Take Care Of Your Period Swimwear
Rinse period-proof swimwear in cold water soon after using it and wash it according to the instructions from the manufacturer. Most styles should be hang-dried. Dont use fabric softener as it may interfere with the ability of the period swimwear to absorb menstrual blood. Some brands of period-proof swimwear are machine washable and can go in the dryer on low heat.
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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.
Menstrual Products For Swimming
Your best choice for menstrual products for swimming is either a tampon or a menstrual cup. Pads don’t work because they can’t absorb your menstrual flow once they get wet. You can end up with visible stains on your swimwear, and some of your flow will leak into the water.
When using a tampon for swimming, you may need one of higher absorbency. Some water will be absorbed by the tampon, making it swell a little and have less absorbency for your flow.
You may find that you have to change your tampon more frequently. Bring extra along so you can change after your swim. As always, do not wear a tampon for more than eight hours as that increases the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
If you are comfortable using a menstrual cup, this is an excellent option for swimming because it does not absorb any water that may enter your vagina.
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Period Swimwear: What Is It And Does It Really Work
Leak-proof or period swimwear is a relatively new invention, but its becoming increasingly popular. Learn how period-proof swimsuits work and the different styles available.
Period swimwear looks like regular swimsuit bottoms, but it contains a hidden lining that helps absorb menstrual fluid and protect against leakage.
Some people wear a menstrual cup or tampon while swimming but want extra protection. People who use pads may avoid swimming altogether when theyre on their period. Period-proof swimwear is made to hold menstrual fluid and prevent leaks in the water.
What If I Do Bleed In Waterwould People Be Able To See It And Would It Attract Sharks
Nope and nope! Those are only myths. If youre planning to get into the bathtub or go swimming without using a tampon or menstrual cup, rest assured that there will be no red, bloody trail behind you, says Dr. Haughton.
Most women bleed only 60 milliliters over five whole days, says Dr. Haughton. Even if youre free-flowing into the pool for five hours, theres no way that water is going to turn into the Red Sea with the amount of blood coming out of your body. Even a whole pool full of people on their periods wouldnt give the water even the tiniest pink tinge.
And theres absolutely no chance that this tiny amount of menstrual blood will attract every shark in the ocean , so lets put that theory to rest right now. Whenever I hear the shark myth I think, How much do you people think youre bleeding? Its not like youre waving around a bloody arm, says Dr. Haughton.
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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.
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.
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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.
You Are More Likely To Get An Ear Infection Than A Vaginal Infection From Swimming
Skin infections, ear infections, and stomach illnesses from swallowing contaminated water are more common complaints than vaginal infections from swimming . Always check with regional health authorities for information on water quality at local swimming spots. Wet bathing suits can cause pH changes and irritate your vagina and vulva, leading to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis . To reduce the risk of a yeast infection or BV, you can change into dry clothes after you swim. If you notice any itching, burning, or unusual discharge after swimming, talk to your healthcare provider.
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How To Choose The Right Feminine Care Product To Wear In The Water
So to be safe, you’ll likely want to wear some sort of feminine care product. When it comes to the best one to use when swimming, it really comes down to personal preference. Two recommended by experts are tampons and menstrual cups.
“It is perfectly safe to swim with a tampon in,” says Jennifer Meyers, CNM, a certified nurse-midwife at the Mayo Clinic Health System. “When a tampon is inserted, it sits very high in the vagina to collect any menstrual flow. The rest of the vagina stays fairly closed during swimming, so there’s not a lot of exchange of fluid between what’s in the vagina and the water outside of it.”
While any type of tampon should work, you may benefit from a high absorbency or one designed for women who do sports. But you should change it once you’re done swimming.
“A tampon will absorb the water from the lake, pool, or ocean while you are swimming, so it is important to change the tampon when you get out of the water,” says Ho. “Otherwise, the tampon will be saturated and will not absorb the blood from your period.”
And if you’re not a fan of tampons, menstrual cups work just as well. “The cup should stay well-placed during swimming, and provide a barrier between the menstrual flow and the water,” says Meyers.