Don't let your menstrual cycle stop you from enjoying a day at the beach or pool with friends. In fact, exercising while swimming during your period can help reduce period pain and improve your mood. If you want to know how to swim on your period, see Step 1 to get started.
Step
Step 1. Put on a tampon or menstrual cup before swimming
While swimming can temporarily reduce menstrual flow, it's not healthy for you to go in the water with friends without putting on a tampon or menstrual cup first. If you're not comfortable wearing both, you should try wearing them at home before going for a swim.
- Tampons: once you're used to wearing them, they're perfect for swimming. You don't have to worry about leaks as the tampon will inflate as needed to fit your body. Hide the strings of the tampons by tucking them into your bikini, and you can swim in the clear water in any bathing suit. Don't forget to change your tampon every few hours if your period is heavy, and never wear it for more than eight hours.
- Menstrual bowls: although menstrual cups are not yet widely used as tampons, they are devices that are inserted into the vagina and placed at the bottom to collect menstrual blood. This bowl can be used for up to ten hours, which is longer than a tampon which can last a maximum of eight hours. Just like tampons, menstrual cups are also functionally invisible. This tool can be glued tightly to the body so that not a bit of blood escapes. Plus, when using the menstrual cup, you don't even have to worry about hiding the tampon string.
- You are not recommended to swim using pads or pantyliners. The pads will get wet and damp when you enter the water so they can't absorb the menstrual flow. In addition, if worn under a bathing suit, the pads will swell and appear from the outside and may feel uncomfortable.
Step 2. Bring extra supplies
If you're wearing a tampon, you may need to change it several times throughout the day. Take some supplies that will be needed, in preparation if your group decides to enjoy the day and stay longer. If you want to replace your tampon with a pad after you're done swimming and are wearing your regular clothes and underwear, you can also bring both.
- If you're wearing a tampon at a time when your period is heavy, change your tampon every three to four hours.
- If you use a menstrual cup, you may not have to worry about throwing it away if you're with friends. The menstrual bowl can be used for up to 12 hours. However, it wouldn't hurt to bring another one in stock.
- Additionally, there may be other people in your party who need tampons.
Step 3. Ignore the myths about why you shouldn't swim on your period
There are many lies regarding menstruation. Don't listen to anyone saying that swimming during your period is unhealthy, or that your menstrual blood will attract sharks if you swim in the ocean. Ignore anyone who tells you that a tampon will absorb too much water if you swim while wearing it. This statement is completely untrue, and you are free to swim whenever you want, whether you are menstruating or not.
Step 4. Wear shorts if you're not confident wearing a tampon
While this isn't necessary, if you're really worried about the strings of your tampon showing or you just don't feel confident wearing it, you can wear shorts for extra protection and peace of mind. Buy shorts that are a bit small and don't look too baggy, and wear them under your swimsuit. To add to your calm, buy pants that are dark in color.
- Men's wide shorts often go well with a bikini top, and they don't attract attention or make other people curious.
- You could also say that you can't find a swimsuit bottom and that you have to borrow your little brother's pants or something.
Step 5. Wear a darker colored swimsuit if you're worried about leaks
While it's unlikely that menstrual blood will leak through the bottom of your swimsuit if you insert a tampon or menstrual cup properly, wearing a dark bathing suit may give you some peace of mind. Pick a nice color like dark blue or dark purple and get ready to have fun while swimming.
You can also choose a swimsuit with a thicker bikini area so you don't have to worry about the tampon thread showing
Step 6. Swim without worrying about your period
Swim with confidence! Don't worry about your bathing suit all the time and turn around to check behind your back every 5 minutes as this could leak your secret. Get out of the water and run to the bathroom to check if you're really worried that something's wrong with your backside. Try to ignore it and enjoy yourself.
Cooperate with your friends. Ask a close female friend to alert you if she sees a problem
Step 7. Protect yourself from bloating and cramping
While there's no surefire way to feel normal during your period, there are things you can do to minimize the cramping and bloating you experience during your period. Avoid fried, salty, or other unhealthy foods, as well as caffeine. If you are in extreme pain, take Motrin or another pain reliever that can reduce the pain. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is get in the water and forget about the pain.
Step 8. Decide to sunbathe if you are not comfortable swimming during your period
If swimming is very uncomfortable for you, if you don't feel well, or don't feel confident going into the water while on your period, politely decline. Say, "I just don't feel up to it right now" and soak up the sun instead. If everyone in your party is a girl, they'll probably understand right away. If there are men in your party too, they will not bother you about it.
- Find ways to interact with your group, even if they are underwater. You can sit by the pool and put your feet in the water, play in a race on the beach, or cheer up the race from the sidelines.
- Remember that this is a last resort if you are very uncomfortable. You should feel confident enough to swim whenever you want, whether you're on your period or not. Menstruation is a natural process that should make you proud to be a woman, not ashamed.
Tips
- Before entering the pool, go to the restroom. This will help reduce the chance of bleeding in the pool.
- It helps if you wear a swimsuit with dark bottoms. Not only does it look good, but these bottoms can also hide annoying blemishes.
- If you're feeling uncomfortable (e.g. feeling that your period is about to leak), trust your instincts, and get out of the water.
- Act as usual, there's nothing worse than directing everyone's attention to a menstrual leak stain if it does exist, make up an excuse to go and change your clothes.
- Wear a swimsuit that will be used for sunbathing that is dark in color to make sure others don't see that your menstrual blood is seeping through.
- Remember to bring a swimsuit cover in preparation for blood stains on the swimsuit you're using for sunbathing (preferably a cover with a long skirt).
- If it's a leak, and a close friend sees it, make sure the two of you don't make a fuss; people will see it. Make a signal or code, such as "I want some juice, would you like to go and check if I have juice in my bag?"
- Don't let your period stop you from swimming. Sometimes exercise can help make you feel better.
- You can discuss with your close friends to prepare emergency equipment so that both of your problems are resolved.
- Instead of wearing swimming trunks, wear black shorts. Don't wear pads in the water, but use them after showering.
- Make sure you wear shorts or swim shorts to hide the bump on your bottom or use a tampon if you're ready or face the fear and dive in!
- Make a plan to get rid of the trash. If you know the bathroom you're going to use doesn't have a bin in every room, throw the product in a resealable plastic bag, then put it in a brown paper bag. Put it in the trash that you find.
- If you're taking swimming lessons, and you feel like you're going through, say "I'm not feeling well" and they'll let you sit down. Go to the toilet every hour and change sanitary pads. If you realize the situation is complicated, talk to your swimming teacher about it.
Warning
- Although it is slower to come out while you are in the water, menstrual blood flow will not stop. After a while, blood may come out, although it's not very noticeable
- Some people notice that wearing sanitary pads while swimming does not absorb menstrual blood.
- While it's a little weird to swim in shorts, prevention is better than regret.
- If you choose to sunbathe, always wear sunscreen to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
