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.
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.
Will I Attract Sharks
Speaking of horror movies Of course, it has occurred to many of us that blood might attract sharks. Okay, first and foremost, if youre swimming in shark-infested waters, you have more things to worry about than your period maybe consider relocating to safer waters!!
Seriously though, sharks can of course smell blood. They can smell the blood from a papercut or a period. They can also smell sweat, mucus, urine The good news is that they dont really want to eat us. Jaws is a great movie, a classic, but dont use it as your go-to guide on typical shark behavior.
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 .
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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. 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
What If You Go Swimming On Your Period Without Any Feminine Care Products
If you’ve ever tried swimming while on your period without wearing any feminine care products, you’ve likely noticed your period may seem to temporarily stop when you’re in the water. And there’s some legitimate science behind it.
“Blood typically flows out from the uterus into the vagina through the cervix because of gravity, and the water pressure can decrease the flow while swimming,” says Ho.
So it can slow your flow but it doesn’t totally stop your flow from happening.
“Water pressure may temporarily stop the flow of your period while in the water, but coughing, sneezing, laughing, big movements may override this,” says Dr. Leah Millheiser, MD, OB-GYN and director of the Female Sexual Medicine Program at Stanford Health Care.
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The Classic Solution: Wear A Tampon
Usually, we are first taught to use pads when we first get our periods. Having used pads for many years, many of us take a while to try out tampons, if ever at all.
Using a pad on a swim is an absolutely terrible idea, unless your flow is extremely light and you just need a pantyliner in case. Pads are made to absorb liquid your menstrual blood and its bloody good at doing that . So when you go inside a pool with a pad, its going to absorb all the pool water it can until the point of saturation, and it wont be able to absorb any of your menstrual blood if it comes out. In the end, its the same as wearing no pad at all!
Using a tampon protects you from leakage because your blood is all absorbed inside. Very little water is able to go inside your tampon too, so this is a simple and common solution to swimming while on your period.
Some people worry that the tampon string may become visible, so be careful to tuck it in properly within your swimsuit bottom. You could wear swimming shorts instead to feel safer!
Does Your Period Stop When Youre In The Water
When you get into the water, your menstrual bleeding doesnt stop, but the blood doesnt flow out at the same rate either.
Why? This is because the water exerts pressure on your vagina, which counteracts the effect of gravity on your flow.
However, if you do something that exceeds the counterpressure of the water like sneezing or coughing some blood will get into the water.
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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 .
Are Tampons Safe For Swimming
Tampons are generally ‘safe’ to use during your period whilst swimming , though they have been associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome . TSS is a very very rare but potentially life-threatening disease and whilst tampons do not contain the bacteria the causes TSS, it’s important to know and understand the facts, and how you can help reduce your risk, prior to use. Learn more about TSS, HERE.
Note: all tampons, irrespective of what they’re made from, carry the same risks associated with TSS . Tampons and period cups should always be used in accordance with the instructions in pack – be sure to read these before use, and keep them handy for future reference.
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Can I Swim Without A Tampon Or Cup If My Period Is Light
With all the above in mind, you might get away with not wearing anything at all whilst swimming if your period is suuuuuper light. It’s unlikely that you’re going to *gush* whilst in the water, especially if you’re at the very end of your cycle, and darker bathers will help mask any accidental leaks, should they happen .
If you’re not willing to risk it, go with the lightest possible tampon absorbency you can for your flow .
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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You Will Not Get Eaten By Sharks Because Of Your Period
Thanks to some popular films like Jaws, lots of people are afraid of sharks while swimming in the ocean. Some people with periods are told not to swim in the ocean during their periods because period blood might attract sharks . There are no recorded cases of sharks attacking someone on their period. According to the International Shark Attack File, many people safely dive while menstruating. More research is needed, but they havenât seen any pattern of increased attacks on menstruating divers. Marie Levine, Founder and Executive Director of The Shark Research Institute has been diving for decades without any problem. She told Mother Jones, â even got my period while underwater with a school of hammerheadsâthe sharks were not interested.â
Reasons For A Late Period: What Might They Be
If your period is five days late, it doesnt necessarily mean youre pregnant. There are multiple factors that can cause your period to be late:
- Physiological Stress, sudden weight changes, climate or time zone changes, breastfeeding , etc.
- Medically induced Associated with taking or stopping medications including hormonal contraceptives and antidepressants
- Pathological Caused by diseases such as ovarian pathology, uterine diseases, endocrine system disorders, etc.
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Stopped Or Missed Periods
There are many reasons why a woman may miss her period, or why periods might stop altogether.
Most women have a period every 28 days or so, but itâs common to have a slightly shorter or longer cycle than this .
Some women do not always have a regular menstrual cycle. Their period may be early or late, and how long it lasts and how heavy it is may vary each time.
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Question: Can I Swim While I Have My Period
Dr. Farah Kroman: Swimming is great when you have your period. It can reduce your crampy period pain and improve your mood. Of course, if you are swimming during your period, you will need to wear a tampon. A pad will not block the blood flow and will probably start to fall apart. Make sure you change your tampon after you get out of the water as it will probably be a little wet.
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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.
When To See Your Doctor
Your doctor can properly diagnose the reason for your late or missed period and discuss your treatment options. Keep a record of changes in your cycle as well as other health changes to show your doctor. This will help them make a diagnosis.
If you have the following symptoms, contact a doctor right away:
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How To Go To The Beach On Your Period
This article was medically reviewed by Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO. Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist running a private practice based in Napa, California. Dr. Levy-Gantt specializes in menopause, peri-menopause and hormonal management, including bio-Identical and compounded hormone treatments and alternative treatments. She is also a Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner and is on the national listing of physicians who specialize in menopausal management. She received a Masters of Physical Therapy from Boston University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. This article has been viewed 338,537 times.
All week you’ve been looking forward to a beach day with your friends when suddenly hello! you’re on your period. But don’t cancel just yet! With the right supplies and just a little planning, you can swim, sunbathe, and play with the rest of your friends.
How Can You Swim During Your Period Without A Tampon
Swimming while menstruating without a tampon is totally a thing. You can choose a zero-waste solution, like a menstrual cup, or you can just trust your body and your awareness of it, by which we mean you can learn how to instinctually flow freely. First, train yourself at home, where theres no pressure. Work on detecting strong flow days, and then see if you can identify days when swimming during menstruation makes the most sense for you.
Finally, if youre not comfortable with it, thats cool just be patient. The most important thing is to listen to yourself, no pressure, and go for it when you feel comfortable! Start slowly. Do a few short swims to gain confidence. And dont be afraid of leaks. Menstrual blood isnt dirty, and menstruating shouldnt be embarrassing. Free yourself of your anxiety and societys bogus shame. Rediscover the joys of swimming while preserving the environment but, hey, only if you wanna!
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