Is It Ok To Swim While On Your Period

Menstruation is a natural part of a woman’s life, often starting during the ages of eight to sixteen. During a menstrual cycle, tissues and blood that accumulate on the uterus walls will be expelled from the body.

Typically, a period will last three to seven days, and it generally occurs one time monthly until the later years of a woman’s adult life.

Many girls are often afraid to do certain activities, such as swimming, when menstruating. However, is it ok to swim while on your period?

The answer to this question is yes, you can swim during your menstrual cycle. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to stop any activity at all when having your period. Whether you have to swim as part of a club, in gym class, or you just want to have fun, you should not be afraid to jump in the pool.

The exercise that you get from swimming can also be helpful in reducing cramps and improving your mood.

Tips on How to Swim While on Your Period

You can insert a menstrual cup or tampon before swimming. The swimming itself can decrease your menstrual flow temporarily, but it is not sanitary to go inside the water without first inserting a menstrual cup or tampon. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing these items, you can try them at home prior to going swimming.

Menstrual cups: These are not as commonly used as tampons today, but they can work well when swimming. You would insert the cup in your vagina for it to sit at the base and collect the blood. These cups can also last for as much as ten hours, more than the maximum eight hours that a tampon can be worn.[1]

It will suction to your body to prevent the blood from leaking, and you don’t have to deal with the hassle of trying to hide a tampon string.

Tampons: A tampon will expand to fit your body, and you won’t have to worry about leakage. You could tuck the tampon string in your bikini bottom to hide it when swimming.

If your period is flowing heavily, you should not wear the tampon for over eight hours, and make sure to change it every few hours.

Bear in mind that it would not be a good idea to wear a pad or panty liner when swimming. Not only will they become wet and soggy, but it will be noticeable in your bathing suit.

Speaking of bathing suit, you should wear a dark-colored outfit if you are worried about leakage. Your menstrual blood might not leak through to the bikini bottom if the menstrual cup or tampon is inserted properly, but wearing this colored swimsuit will help to put the mind at ease.

Wear colors such as dark purple or blue. In addition to that, you can choose a swimsuit with a bikini area that is a bit thicker so you won’t have to worry constantly about the tampon string showing.

You can wear a pair of shorts if you are feeling self-conscious about swimming in a tampon. Even though this is not necessary, wearing shorts will give the extra protection that you want to feel relaxed and not worry about the tampon string showing or simply to avoid feeling a little uncomfortable.

Choose shorts with a cute style without a baggy look to wear over the bottom of the swimsuit. Once again, wear a dark color for added peace of mind.

Bring Extra Supplies

You need to bring a few extra supplies of tampons as you might have to change several times during the day. These will come in handy especially if you are swimming with a group and they decide to stay longer and enjoy the day.

You could also bring a pad in your supplies if you want to wear one after changing into your normal underwear and clothes.

Now, if you decide to wear a menstrual cup when swimming, you probably won’t have to worry about changing while you are there.

The cup can stay in your vagina for up to twelve hours. If you want to be on the safe side, you could still bring an extra one.

Another tip is for you to consider setting up a buddy system. This means asking a close friend to let you know if she notices any problem when you are swimming.

If you still think that you won’t be comfortable swimming or you are not feeling well while having your period, then you could opt to sunbathe.

Last but not least, you should try not to fuss constantly with your swimsuit or twist around every five minutes to check on your rear when swimming because this will be a dead giveaway.

It would be better if you take a break from the water and go to the bathroom to do a quick check up if you are feeling really nervous that something is going wrong.

References

1. https://www.lunette.com/blogs/news/8-faq-about-menstrual-cups