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!
What Type Of Period Protection Is Right For Me
Its totally up to you! Think about your lifestyle and what will best fit your needs. Its also helpful to try different products, or ask a friend or family member what works for them.
Its common to use different things at different times during your period. For example, someone may use tampons during the day and pads at night. You can also wear period underwear, a pad, or a pantyliner while youre using a tampon or cup, for backup protection in case of leaks.
Many people like the convenience of products that you use once and throw away, like tampons and disposable pads. These are usually easier to find in stores, too. Others choose reusable protection, like menstrual cups, period underwear, or fabric pads, because they can save money and theyre better for the environment.
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Our Top 3 Tips For Swimming With A Menstrual Cup
Now that you know swimming with a menstrual cup is possible, use these tips to get the most out of your swim when youre on your period.
1. Learn how to create the seal to prevent leakage
If youre a beginner cup user, know theres a learning curve. You might learn how to use your cup right away, or it may take you a few cycles before you get it right. Everyone is different and theres no specific time frame.
To help you prepare for your first time and prevent any menstrual cup leaking, check out our complete guide on how to insert a menstrual cup for a leak-free period. We also recommend practicing using your period cup for one or two cycles before swimming, but if you cant, just practice before your swim day to learn the basics:
2. Empty the cup before you jump in
Another tip is to empty your menstrual cup before entering the water for a swim. Why? Youll feel freer and can swim for a longer amount of time without having to worry about emptying your period cup.
3. Take a bottle of water with you
As a general rule, make sure to wash your hands before removing or inserting your menstrual cup.
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Will Swimming Worsen Cramps
When you think about it, swimming seems like it could aggravate cramps in your lower back and tummy. Instead, studies have shown that physical exercise including swimming can help take your mind off the discomfort and actually relieve soreness.
So, if youre still wondering, Will swimming worsen my cramps? here is the explanation. The soothing lapping of the water over your body and the waters buoyancy have a calming effect on your muscles. This can reduce pain and bloating that may be associated with your periods.
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.
“Weve all had nightmares of leaving a trail of blood behind us, but its not time to panic,” points out Dr Sarah Welsh, gynaecologist and cofounder at Hanx. “The water pressure can help prevent the blood flowing out as you swim. However, any increase in abdominal pressure such as coughing or laughing, would change the pressure and a small amount of blood may leak out,” she adds, although “a small leakage of blood would be diluted in the water, so very unlikely to be seen.”
If you do happen to have any leaks during your swim, swimming pools are all chlorinated to protect swimmers against the spread of disease from bodily fluids .
It’s important to be mindful though, that getting out of the water will change the pressure 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. If you have an intrauterine device , you should check with your doctor before using a menstrual cup.
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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.
Youre Supposed To Get Your Period By 3 Youre 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 theres no sign of your period by the time youre 15, its a good idea to check with your doctor, advises Dr. Nucatola.
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Menstrual Products For Swimming
Your best choice for menstrual products for swimming is either a tampon or a menstrual cup. Pads dont work because they cant 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.
Misconceptions About Swimming During Your Period
Itâs messy. You can swim when you have your period. You just need to wear a tampon or menstrual cup to catch the flow. Competitive swimmers have participated in big races during their periods.â
It isnât safe. While a sharkâs sense of smell is powerful, thereâs no evidence that menstrual blood increases your risk of being attacked by sharks. More than 80% of recorded shark bites happened to men. â
Itâs unhygienic. Itâs always best to wear a tampon or menstrual cup when swimming. Itâs very unlikely that there will be leakage, but swimming pools are chlorinated and use a filtration system.â
Cramps will be worse. You may not feel like swimming if you have painful period cramps, but exercise may actually help improve your period pain. â
One study of 70 women with regular period cramps found that those who exercised regularly over 4 weeks had improved levels of pain.â
Researchers found that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week helped significantly improve the severity of period cramps after 8 weeks. This effect wasnât seen after just 4 weeks of exercise.â
Talk to your doctor if your menstrual cramps are very painful. It may be due to a condition such as:
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Can You Wear A Menstrual Cup While Swimming
Like tampons, menstrual cups are worn internally and so can be worn while swimming in any kind of water. Menstrual cups give you an additional option when it comes to pool day period solutions, but there are a few important things to consider before you decide. If youâre looking to pack light and make room in your beach bag, a menstrual cup might be a good choice theyâre made of medical grade silicone and are reusable, so you only need to pack or wear one and can use it all day. Itâs invisible and mostly sensation-free if inserted in the right position. Even better is that you can wear a Tampax Cup for up to 12 hours at a time, giving you the freedom to insert your menstrual cup at home, wear it all day and remove it when youâre back home at the end of the day. However, a downside of the menstrual cup is that because itâs reusable, if you need to clean it and re-insert it while youâre out and about, you will need to clean it by rinsing with mild soap and water every time, which could be challenging in a public toilet. Not to mention the fact that you do not want your menstrual cup getting any amount of sand on it!
What Can I Use Instead Of A Tampon While Swimming
There are plenty of other options that are suitable for swimming.
- Menstrual cups. Even more user-friendly than the menstrual disc is the menstrual cup.
- Period-friendly swimwear.
Can I wear pads in the pool?
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.
Can you swim on your period without a tampon?
Can you swim on your period without a tampon? Yes, if you just want something to use while you are swimming, a disposable menstrual cup is an ideal alternative. Disposable cups can be placed in before swimming and then removed and disposed of afterward. Disposable cups are similar to reusable cups but can be more expensive.
What can I use instead of a tampon to go swimming?
Silicone or rubber menstrual cups are reusable, flexible, bell-shaped devices that collect your menstrual flow. The cup should not leak if inserted properly and is one of the best alternatives to a tampon if you want to go swimming.
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Can I Go Swimming During My Period
Swimming during your period isnt a problem. However, you will want to use a tampon when swimming so you dont bleed on your swimsuit. Pads wont work and will just fill with water. The tampon wont 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.
How To Swim On Your Period With A Pad
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Want to go to that pool party everyone’s going to this summer, but fear you can’t because you’ll be on your period? Don’t worryyou can still swim on your period! If at all possible, you’ll be most comfortable swimming with a tampon or menstrual cup instead of a pad, as they will be better at hiding your period. However, if you only have a pad at your disposal, you can swim with one. It’s especially double if you’re just planning on hanging by the pool or wading in the water without actually getting your suit wet.
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Ways To Swim With Your Period
Is it possible? Is it hygienic? Will I really attract sharks if I swim in the ocean?
Yes, depends, and no.
Exercising can be good for you while youre on your period, and swimming can be a relaxing, low-impact workout for your entire body whether you are a competitive or recreational swimmer. But very few of us pick swimming for our period workout because.logically it could get a bit messy and embarrassing.
Being in the water slows down or can even stop your menstrual flow because of the water pressure, but there is always that risk that it may still leak out, especially if you sneeze or coughweve all been there before.
But there are ways to work around it so that you can still enjoy a nice perk-me-up swim even when youre feeling terrible with your period! How else would professional female swimmers do it?
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Youre More Likely To Get An Infection If You Go Swimming On Your Period
Swimming on your period shouldnt increase your chances of vaginal infection. There are, however, a few things to consider.
As a Mooncup Advice Assistant, I can assure you that vaginal infections are not an uncommon complaint around the time of your period, but they should not be ignored. Generally, the vaginal pH is acidic but, during menstruation the vaginal pH becomes more alkaline. Because of this, some people are more prone to getting a non-serious bacterial infection at this time regardless of whether they are swimming or not. If you feel you may have an infection or have noticed any change to your vaginal discharge , you should get it checked out by a doctor or nurse who will be able to help.
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It Is Not Unhygienic To Swim While Menstruating
In 2016, a fitness center in the country of Georgia made headlines when they posted a sign in the womenâs locker room saying âDear ladies! Do not go into the pool during periods.â They claimed this was to protect other swimmers after someone âcontaminatedâ the pool with menstrual blood, but thereâs nothing unhygienic about swimming during your period. If you use a tampon or menstrual cup, itâs 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 anyoneâs health by swimming during your period.
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No Matter What Dont Let Your Period Stop You From Enjoying A Swim Or A Day At The Beach
Being active can actually help counteract the stuff that makes periods suck, like cramps and bloating.
Basically, a decent sweat session cranks up the production of mood-boosting endorphins, which can actually act as a natural pain reliever for cramps, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine. Even better: Exercise can also help prevent period cramps . So swimming on or near your period is totally something you should be doing.
The bottom line: No, your period doesnt magically stop in the water, but water pressure can prevent your flow from coming out. Its still wise to use a tampon or menstrual cup to avoid leaks as you come out of the water.
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