What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using A Menstrual Cup
There are a few major benefits of using a menstrual cup. The first is that itâs reusable. That not only saves you money in the long run, but it also means you donât have to panic-ask all your friends for a tampon if you find yourself short when youâre out and about. Instead, you can just rinse, wash, and use it again. You can safely wear a menstrual cup for up to 12 hours, although you may want to empty it sooner. Unlike pads, itâs invisible and generally sensation-free as long as youâve inserted it correctly.
The drawback is that it can be tricky to insert properly, especially if youâve never used one before. Menstrual cups come with a bit of a learning curve that typically takes people a couple cycles to get the hang of, and itâs one that forces you to get up close and very personal with your vagina. If you donât get the seal right once itâs in there, the cup could leak. A menstrual cup can also be a bit messy. Since you donât just throw it in the bin like you would with pads and tampons, you have to clean it by rinsing it with mild soap and water each time before you can reinsert it. That can be hard to do in a public bathroom, not to mention the fact that the cup can make a weird sound as youâre pulling it out.
Go Snorkelling During Your Period
Most female divers actually dive during their periods so snorkelling in Playa del Carmen with Koox is completely viable if you understand how to swim on your period. Be cautious and dont go if youre experiencing extreme PMS or side effects. If everything is under control just remember to carry extra tampons and change them as soon as possible after you leave the water, stay hydrated, and plan ahead of time to avoid any post-dive fluid leakage.
Discover
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Take A Bottle Of Water With You
At a certain point, youre going to empty and clean your cup whether youre at an equipped beach, or an isolated bay with only mother nature as your toilet. A bottle of water is all you need to clean your cup.
Just remove your menstrual cup and use the water from the water bottle to rinse it out over the toilet . Reinsert your cup and use any extra water to rinse your hands. Thats it.
As a general rule, make sure to wash your hands before removing or inserting your menstrual cup.
Know how to clean your menstrual cup in a public bathroom before you decide to take a dip, so you can relax and enjoy a worry-free period even when you swim.
Also Check: 90 Day Probationary Period Template
Will My Period Stop In The Water
Yes, this is a real thing. It has to do with the pressure of the water which makes it so blood wont come out of the vagina. But if you move a certain way like if you cough or laugh or sneeze, you might leak a little bit. While you can totally choose to not wear a menstrual product if you dont want to, the second you climb out of the water, your period will start up again. So most of the time, its best to play it safe and wear a menstrual product when you go swimming.
Facts 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.
You May Like: Employee Probationary Period Template
Alternative Period Products Like Menstrual Cups
Period / leakproof swimwear isnt the only alternative to a tampon when it comes to swimming on your periods. There are other alternative period products, including:
- Menstrual cups, and
- Menstrual discs
These can be used in conjunction with period swimwear or entirely on their own. The most popular of these two options is the menstrual cup. Lets explore how they work.
Is It Unhygienic To Swim While On My Period
Having your period is not unhygienic, but how you manage your period can be. If you wear a tampon while swimming, some of the pool or ocean water can be absorbed by your tampon. Not ideal to get bacteria or chlorine in your body.
Luckily, menstrual cups do not absorb any water as they are designed to collect, not absorb your menstrual blood. As they are generally made out of medical grade silicone, they are very safe and hygienic for your body, as long as you regularly wash and clean your cup.
See How to Clean a Menstrual Cup?
Read Also: 90 Day Probation Period Template
Bonus: Swimming May Actually Help Relieve Any Pms
Still need convincing before you hop in the water on your period?
A 2018 study looked at 70 people who experience PMS and concluded that swimming significantly decreased many of their physical and psychological symptoms.
This means that, while you might not be interested in a super heavy , engaging in some light physical activity might be exactly what you .
Tip : Prevent Leaks With The Right Period Products For Swimming
The main benefit of using period products while you are swimming is that you can have protection from leaks even when you leave the water. Leaving the water means leaving the water pressure that slowed down your periods flow. Without the right period products, you could stain your swimwear the second you get out of the water.
The rule of thumb is that you cannot use disposable pads. These can clump up and disintegrate in the water. On the other hand, reusable pads will soak up water, which lessens their effectiveness when you get out of the water. They may also be partially visible on bikinis.
The best option is to use a reusable menstrual cup. Most of the high-quality menstrual cups in the market can be left in place for up to 12 hours. In the absence of a menstrual cup, a tampon can be used.
Don’t Miss: Period Blood Stains On Sheets
Can I Go Swimming During My Period
Swimming during your period isn’t a problem. However, you will want to use a tampon when swimming so you don’t bleed on your swimsuit. Pads won’t work and will just fill with water. The tampon won’t fall out if it is inserted correctly, so go ahead and make a splash!
Tampons also can be helpful for girls who exercise or play sports during their periods. Pads will work, but can feel uncomfortable during sports.
Can I Delay My Period Until After I Go Swimming
Typical, combined hormonal contraceptive pills give you the option to skip or delay your period instead of taking the placebo pills or having a few days’ break , and this will delay your period until you finish your second pack.
“If you are on hormonal contraception such as the combined oral contraceptive pill, you can speak to your GP about taking two packets consecutively so you can skip the hormone-free interval where you would usually experience a withdrawal bleed,” explains Dr O’Neill. “If you’re taking the progesterone-only contraceptive pill, taking it ‘back to back’ will not delay your period. But, you can speak to your GP about switching to the combined oral contraceptive pill or taking another medication to delay your period.”
If youre not taking an oral contraceptive and want to delay your period, your doctor can prescribe you a pill called norethisterone to take three days before your period is due to start. You can take this for a maximum of 20 days and, once you finish it, your period should then arrive.
You May Like: 90 Day Probationary Period Letter
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 .
If You Miss A Period Youre 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 wont 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.
Related Story
Don’t Miss: Can You Donate Blood While Menstruating
The Best Menstrual Cup For Swimming
Ruby Cup is the best menstrual cup for swimming, and were not saying that just because were biased. Heres why:
- Creates the perfect seal: Each Ruby Cup is made with a medium firmness that is flexible enough to be comfortable, yet sturdy enough to create a seal for leak-free swimming.
- Made for every body: Ruby Cup Small can handle light to medium flows and you can trim the stem to adapt to a low cervix. The Ruby Cup Large is one of the best menstrual cups for heavy flows and is great if you have a high cervix. Buy our discounted Duo Pack to have both sizes if you have a flow that varies during your cycle.
- Body-friendly: Made with100% medical-grade silicone, Ruby Cup is plastic and bleach-free.
- Eco-friendly: Create zero-waste even while you swim. You can use our vegan and reusable Ruby Cup for up to 10 years.
- Money-back guarantee: Weve all been through the learning curve, which is why you deserve time to get used to your cup. We give you 120 days to exchange or return your cup, no questions asked. Use it with more than one swim before you decide its the right one for you.
- Buy one give one program: For each Ruby Cup you buy, we donate a cup to a person without access to safe period products, which means two people can now swim with a menstrual cup.
How Do Olympic Swimmers Manage Their Periods
When you are cheering for Olympic swimmers, you may have wondered how they deal with their menstrual flow while competing.
Many athletes who do competitive swimming during periods use tampons and menstrual cups to keep their flow in check.
Some athletes may not have regular periods due to their intense exercise regimen. Others opt for birth control, which can alter their cycle so that they dont have full periods.
Also Check: Primosiston To Stop Period
How To Swim When You Are On Your Period
wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 205 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 72 testimonials and 85% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 3,900,384 times.Learn more…
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. Women 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
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 757,564 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.
Recommended Reading: Donating Blood While Menstruating
Menstrual Cups For Swimming
If period swimwear is not really your thing, or youd prefer just to use period swimwear as a back-up, then you may like to try a menstrual cup.
What I love about menstrual cups is they can be worn for a long time, up to 8-12 hours, depending on your flow and the specific cup guidelines.
This is really perfect for long days at the beach, the lake, by the pool or on a boat
There are so many menstrual cups on the market at the moment, it can be a little overwhelming. And I dont have one brand of menstrual cup that I recommend, because menstrual cups can vary in their length, firmeness, capacity and more. What might work for me, or your best friend, might not be right for you and your body. We all have a unique anatomy that needs to be taken into account when choosing a menstrual cup.
If youd like to learn more about how to choose a menstrual cup thats right for you, you can read my free Guide to Choosing Your Best Menstrual Cup. Its worth a read before you decide which menstrual cup to invest in! Just enter your details below and I will send the guide direct to your inbox:
You May Like: Usaa New Car Insurance Grace Period