Try A Menstrual Cup To Be More Environmentally Friendly
Menstrual cups, like tampons, are inserted into your vagina. However, cups are more environmentally friendly than tampons because they can be washed and reused, and they last several yearswhich means that they’re cheaper as well. Again, you should wash your hands before and after putting one in. Popular brands include Divacup and Mooncup.
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
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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Misconception: You Will Leave A Bloody Trail In The Water
Should you worry about leaving a blood trail in the water if your period products fail? Its hard to make guarantees here: 50% of us have experienced a period product failing at some point. This is especially common at night.
The big difference is that at night you may have exceeded your products absorbency limit. So as long as you choose the right absorbency level for your flow and dont push those limits, you should be just fine. If you do have a very heavy menstrual flow you may opt to use another menstrual product for additional protection while you swim.
It is worth noting that the water pressure may lighten your blood flow, and even if you do leak a little it will be quickly diluted in the water, so youre unlikely to leave the gruesome blood trail that youre probably picturing in your head.
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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Swimming Can Relieve Period Cramps
Low-intensity exercise like swimming can actually help to relieve menstrual cramps . During exercise, your body releases endorphins that act as natural painkillers and give you an increased feeling of well-being. Research also shows that swimming can reduce premenstrual syndrome . For some people, exercise might be negatively impacted by their menstrual cycle. Olympic medalist Fu Yuanhui broke taboos when she told reporters that period cramps had affected her performance.
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.
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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.
Other Tips For Swimming On Your Period
Being on your period might cause your face to break out in pimples and make your skin blotchy, which isnât great for a day out on the water. Reach for a high-SPF sunscreen especially formulated for your face, and top it off with a tinted moisturiser to even out your skin tone and conceal any redness. If all else fails, grab some oversized sunglasses and your favourite hat to shade your face from the sun.
Stomach bloating and period cramps also have no place at the beach or poolside. Steer clear of salty, fried and fatty foods, as well as caffeine. Stay hydrated with water, herbal iced tea, refreshing lemonade, and fresh fruit and veg. Some people swear by hot water and lemon to reduce bloating â figure out what works best for you.
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What If My Period Is Heavy And I Don’t Want To Use A Tampon Or Cup
Sorry, but you can’t go swimming. However, you can still have fun doing other poolside activities, such as sunbathing, reading a book, solving a crossword puzzle, playing cards, or playing games such as volleyball.
Some excuses to explain why you’re not swimming include:
- I have an ear infection.
- I forgot my bathers.
- I have a bladder infection.
- The water is too cold.
- I feel sick.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
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.
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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.
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.
What If Blood Leaks Through My Undies And Pants
Oh, no! There’s blood on the back of your pants what do you do? It happens to just about every girl at some point. Sometimes it happens when you aren’t at home, so you can’t change right away. But if you’re wearing a sweater or jacket, you can take it off and tie it around your waist. Then get a fresh tampon or pad so that it doesn’t bleed through your pants more than it already has.
Change as soon as you can. You’ll need to rinse your underwear and pants with cold water as soon as possible. Sometimes, the stain comes out and sometimes it doesn’t. To avoid this problem, change your pads and tampons regularly and keep extras in your backpack or locker.
For extra protection on heavy days, some girls use a tampon and wear a pad or absorbent period underwear. You also might want to wear dark-colored underwear and pants during your period.
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Do Periods Stop In Water
The short answer: no. You might have noticed that the counter-pressure of the water does slow your flow a little, but it does not completely stop it. Your period will continue to flow normally, especially if its one of your heavier days.
Even though it might seem ok to go swimming without protection on one of your lighter days, it would be inconsiderate to other swimmers.
You wouldnt pee in the pool so make sure to stay protected throughout your period too.
Swimming With Your Period
Wow! Google ‘is it safe to go swimming with your period’ and you’ll find hundreds of questions from worried girls, wondering if you can safely swim on your period, and how to manage your flow.
Don’t worry! We have the answers to all swimming with period questions! If we don’t list yours here, comment below or message us and we will answer it!
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How Does It Work
While each brand differs slightly in their method, all period swimwear has the same goal to absorb liquid. Modibodi are an Australian company who specialise in period proof underwear, sleepwear and swimwear. Given that we live in a beach-loving country, its no surprise that theyve been steadily increasing in popularity since their creation.
Using their innovative patent-pending Modifier Swim Technology, their swimwear line is water-resistant, stain-proof and odour preventative. Basically, it can do anything and everything. Each swimsuit is fitted with a triple-layered gusset which absorbs and locks in fluid to prevent it from leaking out so you can feel extra secure while youre in the water.
If youre wondering just how absorbent they are, each garment can hold up to 10ml of fluid which is the equivalent of two tampons. Theyre also UPF50+ which is the maximum sun protective rating achievable for fabrics. We told you they were pretty great.
The best part is, they look and feel just like regular swimmers but still allow you to go surfing, swimming, snorkelling or hit the sauna. Theyre also a saving grace if youre at the end of your period and keen to lie on the beach without worrying about light leakage once youre out of the water.
The Takeaway On Swimming On Your Period
Can you swim on your period? TL DR: It’s completely safe to go swimming on your period, whether you decide to wear protective swim bottoms, use a tampon, or go completely product-free. So if you desperately want to cannonball into a pool or float in a lake while menstruating, go ahead and make a splash, says Dr. van Dis. “Don’t let your period hold you back from doing the things you enjoy and living an active lifestyle.”
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Your Period Doesn’t Disappear In The Pool
Though you can’t see period blood in the pool, your period does not magically stop when you go swimming. The blood comes out in such a small amount that the water dilutes it. However, you can still go swimming while on your period, so long as you:
- Don’t wear a pad.
- Use a tampon or menstrual cup .
- Swim without using a feminine hygiene product .
- Wear a dark-coloured bathing suit.
Which Cup To Choose
Well, first of all, choose the right cup for every month use , and when you find the right cup, there is no doubt you can walk, run or swim with her. So lets remind ourselves of some basics
Lilly Cups A and B
Lily Cup is the only cup that can be rolled as thin as a tampon. Its perfect for those who have a higher cervix or heavier flow while it offers complete comfort all period long. Its incredibly smooth design and slanted rim allow you to use this menstrual cup for up to 8 hours without worries.
Lilly Cup One
This reusable, soft and extremely comfortable menstrual cup is made of medical-grade silicone which makes it safe and secure, especially for first-time users.
Lilly Cup Compact A and B
The worlds first collapsible cup that folds flat and fits into a small protective case! You can toss it in your backpack, purse or pocket, and youre good to go. Then, when you need it, it can be popped open for up to 8 hours of non-stop protection. Hassle-free.
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