Can You Get In The Pool On Your Period

Can You Go Swimming On Your Period

It doesnt matter how many times youve had a period, you might go months years even wondering whether swimming on your period is okay Will I leak? Could I catch an infection? Will I get cramps? Will sharks know?

Its time for the myth to be debunked! You can swim on your period. And its super easy too.

Read on to find out our tips for swimming on your period.

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.

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. People 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

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Can I Catch An Infection From Swimming During My Period

Its unlikely that you will catch a vaginal infection from swimming simply because you’re on your period, although the chance of infection is increased if you opt to go wild swimming.

“Swimming in polluted water can increase the risk of experiencing skin irritation and getting a Urinary Tract Infection ,” points out Dr O’Neill. “Wearing a wet bathing suit for a long time after you are done with your swim can also increase the likelihood of irritation and infection, however these risks are not exclusive to when you are on your period.”

She adds: “It is always recommended to have a shower and change into clean, dry clothes after you have been swimming to prevent the above from happening.”

The most common complaints from swimming in contaminated water often include skin infections and stomach illnesses .

You can always check with the regional health authority for information on the water quality at your favourite swimming spot, if youre worried.

In some cases, the chlorine in swimming pools can irritate the vulva and , which can leave you at risk of developing a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis . If this happens, dont panic, just have a shower immediately after swimming in chlorinated pools, and dont sit around in your wet swimwear.

“If you have any unusual itching, burning or discharge that persists after your swim, consider speaking with your doctor,” reminds Dr O’Neill.

Can I Swim Whilst On My Period

Remember those TV ads that showed women effortlessly frolicking on the beach in white dresses when theyve got their period, insinuating that *insert brand here*s products will make you feel confident enough to don your whitest whites and hit the beach during shark week?

As unrealistic as these ads seemed , theres a hint of reality in the messaging: your period really shouldnt stop you from doing any activity you want to assuming of course, you feel up to it, or arent in excruciating pain .

Here are some of your most common questions about periods and swimming, and the facts you need to know before taking a dive.

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Its Good For Your Cramps

You mightve been told that swimming is a surefire way to make period cramps worse, but again its just not true . In fact, light exercise like swimming is often a fantastic way to beat those annoying aches and pains. This is because your body releases endorphins when you work out, and these act as a natural painkiller. They also give you an overall sense of wellbeing, which helps you to feel happier on any kind of flow.

Can You Swim With A Menstrual Cup Swimming On Your Period

If youre a swimmer and tired of using disposable products, youre probably wondering, Can you swim with a menstrual cup? Or maybe youre about to go on a beach vacation and youd like to use a menstrual cup but are not sure if its safe.

These are normal worries because we know how stressful it is to swim on your period using disposable period products. Swimming with menstrual pads is out of the question. And youre always worrying your tampon will max out while youre in the water. You can never relax and enjoy your swim time.

Thats why swimming with a menstrual cup is so liberatingits leak-free and perfectly safe to use in the water.

As menstrual cup experts, we care about ending period stigma and educating people around the globe on healthy period care. With this post, were going to debunk a few myths about swimming on your period, share tips on how to use a menstrual cup before you hit the beach, and show you why Ruby Cup is the best leak-free cup for swimmers. Sound good? Lets dive in.

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Can I Go To The Beach On My Period Without Wanting To Swim

Yes, you can tailor your activity level to whatever makes you comfortable. This varies for everybody based on personal factors like your flow, the time of year, the friends youre with, etc. If youd prefer, you can relax and watch the waves or other people. Also, you can wade through the water without actually going in for a swim.

If you plan to swim outside, dont forget to put on sunscreen. This is especially important if youre prone to acne, as sunshine and periods can increase your risk of breakouts or aggravate existing acne.

Misconceptions About Menstruation And Swimming

Having your period can be a real pain sometimes, but it doesnt have to curtail your swimming. Misconceptions about periods and swimming abound, so lets take a look at some of the most common.

You cant swim with your period

This is a straight-up myth. You absolutely can swim while having your period. I successfully swam solo across the English Channel on the heaviest day of my flow in August 2009, in fact.

Most other female swimmers have similar stories. Fu Yuanhuis charming candor during a post-race interview poolside at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympicsshed gotten her period the night before the race and wasnt feeling greatis a great example of how this normal and natural bodily function doesnt have to hold you back from pursuing your aquatic goals.

The key to swimming while youre having your period is to make friends with tampons or another type internal menstruation product, such as a menstrual cup or disc, that can catch the flow.

Your period stops in water

Not quite. Although its true that the pressure of being immersed in water can slow the flow, your period will carry on to some degree, even if you cant see evidence of it in your swimsuit. This is why its important to always wear a tampon or use a menstrual cup to collect the blood and keep it from entering the pool.

You should wear a pad, even when swimming

You should avoid open water when you have your period because itll attract sharks

Everyone will know I have my period

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Or Explore Alternative Period Products Like A Menstrual Cup

Clearly, we think leakproof swimwear is an amazing, sustainable, stylish, and confidence-boosting option for swimming when on your period. You can wear a tampon with leakproof swimwear when swimming on your period, but you dont have to wear any other protection if you dont want to.

However, period / leakproof swimwear isnt the only alternative to a tampon when it comes to swimming on your periods. There are other alternative period products, including:

• Menstrual cups, and
• Menstrual discs

The most popular of these two options is the menstrual cup. Lets explore how they work

Can You Swim With A Period Pad

Pads are designed to absorb all liquids, so they arent as effective when swimming as theyll absorb the water you swim in as well as your menstrual blood! While its very unlikely that youre going to leak as pads create an effective barrier, it might be a little uncomfortable to wear a sodden pad whilst swimming or when you leave the water!

Some conventional pads also contain super absorbent polymers , which will quickly absorb water, and may not leave any room to absorb your period blood once you get out of the water. If you do prefer to wear a pad and want to be more discreet, you may want to use pads without wings.

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No One Actually Gets Toxic Shock Syndrome

It might not be in the news as often as it was back in the early 2000s, but that doesnt mean you should ignore that warning on the tampon box. Toxic Shock Syndrome is rare, but its still real and very dangerous. Most people get TSS from wearing a high absorbency tampon for days at a time. To avoid TSS its best to change your tampon every 3 to 4 hours and to use the least absorbent tampon you need, says Dr. Nucatola. If you accidentally left yours in longer, dont freak out. Youre probably fine, but see a doctor right away if you think you might have TSS. Symptoms of TSS include vomiting, a high fever, diarrhea, muscle aches, sore throat, dizziness, faintness or weakness, and a sunburn-type rash, says Dr. Nucatola.

Get A Waterproof Period Pad

Regular, non-waterproof period pads can quickly fill with water and create a gel consistency similar to a diaper, explains Allison Rodgers, MD, an ob-gyn and reproductive endocrinologist with the Fertility Centers of Illinois.

“They can leak blood down your legs and get much bigger as they absorb water, making them obvious and uncomfortable,” she adds.

That’s why “waterproof” is a key element when searching for a pad to wear in the water on your period.

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What To Do When You Hit The Beach

If youre on a beach, make sure you position yourself not too far from the nearest café or toilets, so you can change tampons easily. If youre out in the wilds and there are no toilets close by, you may need to hide behind some bushes or improvise with a beach umbrella. Whatever you do, dont buy into the notion that swimming on your period is a no-no. Just make sure you plan ahead and have fresh protection with you.

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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Is It Possible To Swim With A Menstrual Cup

Since its perfectly safe to go swimming when you have your period, you can swim with a menstrual cup to enjoy a leak-free period even when youre in the water. A menstrual cup works with suction, creating a seal with your vaginal wall to collect your blood. Your menstrual cups seal allows you to swim leak-free and prevents water from traveling up into your cup. No water gets in and no blood gets out, until you empty your cup, of course.

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 . However, 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 divers while theyâre on their periods. 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

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What Is The Purpose Of Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles are a broad philosophy that encompass your personal beliefs and values and guide an organization throughout its life in all circumstances, irrespective of changes in its goals, strategies or type of work. They create a company culture where everyone understands whats important.

Will Period Blood Attract Sharks

A fair question. The simple answer is no period blood does not attract sharks. So, breathe a sigh of relief â your beach holiday that your period happens to fall on is not a disaster waiting to happen. No worries and no shark attacks! While a lot of people like to joke about this, the science behind it proves that thereâs no correlation between menstruating people and an increase in shark attacks. The amount of blood lost throughout an menstrual cycle is merely six tablespoons, so the small amount lost during a swim in the sea would be very low â and very unlikely to send any nearby sharks into frenzy.

There you have it. Your answer and guide to if can you go swimming on your period. Hopefully youâll have peace of mind the next time you swim in the ocean on your period.

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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Menstruation And Swimming But Were Afraid To Ask

Its a fact of life: Females of childbearing age typically menstruate for an average of four to eight days on a regular cycle of roughly every 28 days.

This happens like clockwork for some, less consistently for others, depending on a range of health and environmental factors. Every womans cycle is different.

For some, they bleed for three days every 21 days. For others, an eight-day period that occurs every 38 days is normal. Still others may have periods that fluctuate, and hormonal birth control pills can be used to skip periods for months on end.

For most women, its just part of being female and something they get used to managing. The OWH reports that women can usually expect to have a period nearly every month or so for an average of about 40 years. Most girls can expect their period to begin during puberty, usually sometime between 11 and 16 years of age, and last until menopause, which typically arrives somewhere between the ages of 45 and 55.

Again, theres a lot of variability here depending on genetics, medications being used, health conditions, and environmental factors. But the point is, periods are a near universal and regular experience for teens and women for many years.

Facts About Swimming And Menses

Most of the information that you find recommending restricting your physical activity during your period is based on cultural beliefs, taboos, and myths about menstruation. Being in the water while you are menstruating does not put you at an increased risk of infection.

Also, there are no changes in your body during your period that would make you more susceptible to injury while swimming.

Another common fear about swimming in the ocean during your period is the thought that menstrual blood will attract sharks. Although it sounds like a compelling reason to pass up on a swim, theres no evidence that people who are menstruating are more likely than anyone else to attract sharks.

The most important thing to consider when swimming with your period is to be sure that you have adequate protection to control your bleeding.

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