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.
So How Do You Go Swimming During Your Period
First and foremost, pads are unfortunately out of the question can you say wet diaper? If you are a menstrual cup or tampon user, however, youre in luck! Your protection will work just as well in water as it does on dry land.
If you choose to use a tampon, however, while absorbing your blood it also will absorb a little bit of water. This isnt harmful over a short period of time, but because pool and seawater can harbor bacteria that can upset your vaginal pH and cause infection, its important to change a tampon immediately before and after swimming.
If you are swimming with a menstrual cup, however, no fluid can get in, and as the capacity is much higher than a tampon, you are much less likely to leak. Whichever you choose, just make sure to keep an eye on your flow and regularly empty or change. If youre worried then try out your protection in the bath first to give yourself some peace of mind.
Use A Tampon Sponge Or Cup While Swimming
If you canât or donât want to use a tampon or alternative product like a sponge or menstrual cup, you have a few options. If your flow is light, you can wear absorbent swimwear or a dark-colored suit to prevent stains. Waterproof absorbent swimwear look like regular bikini bottoms but have a hidden, leak-proof lining that helps absorb menstrual blood. You can wear a pad before and after swimming.
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Is It Unhygienic To Swim On My Period
No, its not! If you have a tampon or menstrual cup in, its extremely unlikely that any blood will get in the water, unless you leak through the tampon or menstrual cup. If you have a leak or choose to go without period protection, youre still covered. Pools are chlorinated to protect swimmers against the spread of bodily fluids such as sweat, urine, and menstruation. Even salt water pools have chlorination to prevent this, so youre not endangering your health by swimming on your period.
If you’re not comfortable wearing a tampon or a menstrual cup, or want to double up on protection, consider wearing a leakproof swimsuit, as well.
Can I Go Snorkeling On My Period
Go Snorkelling During Your PeriodBe cautious and don’t go if you’re experiencing extreme PMS or side effects. If everything is under control just remember to carry extra tampons and change them as soon as possible after you leave the water, stay hydrated, and plan ahead of time to avoid any post-dive fluid leakage.
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The Best Menstrual Cup For Swimming
Ruby Cup is the best menstrual cup for swimming, and were not saying that just because were biased. Heres why:
- Creates the perfect seal: Each Ruby Cup is made with a medium firmness that is flexible enough to be comfortable, yet sturdy enough to create a seal for leak-free swimming.
- Made for every body: Ruby Cup Small can handle light to medium flows and you can trim the stem to adapt to a low cervix. The Ruby Cup Medium is one of the best menstrual cups for heavy flows and is great if you have a high cervix. Buy our discounted Duo Pack to have both sizes if you have a flow that varies during your cycle.
- Body-friendly: Made with100% medical-grade silicone, Ruby Cup is plastic and bleach-free.
- Eco-friendly: Create zero-waste even while you swim. You can use our vegan and reusable Ruby Cup for up to 10 years.
- Money-back guarantee: Weve all been through the learning curve, which is why you deserve time to get used to your cup. We give you 120 days to exchange or return your cup, no questions asked. Use it with more than one swim before you decide its the right one for you.
- Buy one give one program: For each Ruby Cup you buy, we donate a cup to a person without access to safe period products, which means two people can now swim with a menstrual cup.
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, don’t 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.
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In Other Words: You Still Need Protection To Prevent Leakage
Just because your period isnt quite as active while youre in the water doesnt mean its going to stop completely especially if youre frequently moving in and out of the water.
If youre worried about someone noticing that youre on your period , try not to stress. You definitely dont have to avoid the water altogether.
What Happens If I Don’t Have Pads Or Tampons Handy
If this happens, here are your options: Borrow from a friend, buy some from a restroom dispenser, visit the school nurse if you’re at school, or call home so your mom or dad can bring you what you need. If you are desperate and trying to keep your clothes from staining, you can fold up some tissues or toilet paper and place them in your underwear. That won’t work for long, so you’ll need to get some pads or tampons quickly.
If you’re nervous about telling the school nurse, a teacher, or another adult about what you need, write it down on a piece of paper or use code words. You might say that “it’s that time of the month” or that you need some “personal supplies.” Even better, keep extras in your backpack, locker, or gym bag.
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Here Are The Best Products For Swimming On Your Period
- Tampons tampons are designed to catch your flow before it leaves your body, so your tampon will absorb your blood before it gets to the water. You should change your tampon every 2 3 hours so make sure youre fully stocked and prepared if youre out all day. Check out this guide on how to put a tampon in and prevent leaks.
- Menstrual cup similarly to tampons, menstrual cups also catch your blood before it leaves your body. While you can wear a menstrual cup for longer and dont need to bring extra products with you, you will have to wash it, which could be difficult in public areas.
- Period proof swimwear period proof swimwear looks just like normal bikini bottoms, except they have another hidden layer which absorbs menstrual blood, so you dont need to worry about leaking!
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!
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Can You Swim While Wearing A Tampon
Yes, you can! In fact, tampons are some of the most suitable sanitary products for taking a dip in the water while on your period.
Before you get into the water, insert the tampon. This will allow it to absorb menstrual blood instead of water.
When you get out of the water, take out the used tampon and insert a fresh one.
Its important to change your tampon every eight hours to reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
Keep a stash of extra tampons for whenever you want to get back into the water.
Myth #: Our Menstruation Stop In The Water
It is likely that you have already heard that your menstruation was paused in contact with water. You may have noticed yourself that your menstrual flow was stopped when you took your bath. However, this is not the case. Menstruation is not paused once in the water. This phenomenon is explained by the pressure of the water which temporarily and partially slows down the flow of blood. So the rules are not really stopped.
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Bonus: Swimming May Actually Help Relieve Any Pms
Still need convincing before you hop in the water on your period?
A 2018 study looked at 70 people who experience PMS and concluded that swimming significantly decreased many of their physical and psychological symptoms.
This means that, while you might not be interested in a super heavy workout during your period, engaging in some light physical activity might be exactly what you need to find relief.
You Have A Few Different Options Though
There are many safe and effective options for preventing leakage when youre in the water on your period. The most important thing to consider is your own comfort.
Whether youre using tampons or something different, changing whichever menstrual product right before you go is a great way to prevent leaks.
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Do You Stop Bleeding In The Water
Your body will not stop doing the important work of clearing your uterus just because you want to jump in the pool. Youre going to keep bleeding. Nowtheres really no need to worry about this, especially if youre in a chlorinated pool. That chlorine is designed to stop the spread of germs through bodily fluids and will kill the germs before anyone knows theyre there.If youre worried about someone noticing blood around you, thats not likely to happen. The water pressure can stop or even slow your flow while youre swimming. But, just to be safe, especially if you have a heavy flow that day, wear a tampon or a menstrual cup. Theyll help stop the blood before it leaves your body, just as it does on land.
People Can Tell Youre On Your Period When Youre In The Pool
Periods are nothing to be ashamed of but even so, theres no reason why anyone should be able to tell that youre on your period while youre swimming. Nobody will be able to tell youre on your period at all unless you choose to tell them.
One benefit of using the Mooncup is that it is worn completely internally, which means you dont have to worry about a pesky tampon string making an unwelcome appearance either. The Mooncup also holds up to three times more than a regular tampon, so you are able to swim for longer!
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The Sharks Will Come For You
Its an old wives tale that sharks will be able to sniff out your period blood and come after you. According to Steve Kajiura of Florida Atlantic Universitys Shark Lab the sharks dont even want our blood! What theyre interested in is detecting amino acids in the water, such as those excreted by parts of marine animals that sharks are actually evolved to eat.
So, can you swim with sharks on your period? Marie Levine, founder and executive director of the Shark Research Institute, told Mother Jones: Ive been diving for decades and even got my period while underwater with a school of hammerheads. The sharks were not interested and I had to fin like crazy to get close to them.
Okay, so you can swim on your period without fear of sharks or infections, its not unhygienic, no-one will be able to tell and your cramps may even be relieved! But
You Wont Leave A Bloody Trail In The Water
Water pressure can stop your flow temporarily while you swim, but if you laugh, cough, sneeze or move around, the pressure can change and a small amount of blood might come out. The good news is it probably wonât be visible. When you get out of the water your period will flow again normally, so itâs a good idea to use a tampon or menstrual cup while swimming. Pads and pantyliners arenât a good option because they will absorb water and become ineffective. Menstrual cups can be left in for up to 12 hours, so they are a long-lasting alternative to tampons.
Are your periods irregular? Use Clue to keep track.
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Is It Unsanitary For You
Periods were often historically portrayed as unclean and some of that stigma sadly still hangs around. You are not dirty because youre menstruating. You also dont need to be isolated from others.
The only health caution we would advise when swimming in the water is that if you use a period product to change it once youre done. Tampons in particular can absorb some water in addition to blood and it is possible therell be bacteria in that water. So, its best not to leave them in longer than you have to.
Similarly, if you wear leakproof swimwear be sure to rinse it well after every swim, just as you would regular swimwear,
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You Can Use Leakproof Swimwear On Its Own Or With A Tampon Or Cup
Its worth noting that no period product is completely leakproof They all have different absorbency rates.
And we get it: The notion of period swimwear seems strange to many. How can it not have the same problem as pads is a hard thing to wrap your head around. Theres also some degree of insecurity when it comes to trying new period productsthats completely natural.
Of course, we want you to feel completely confident, so you might start trying our period swimwear on your lighter days, or as a backup to a menstrual cup or other menstrual product until you feel confident enough to go solo.
Best Tampons For Swimming
Tampons are specifically designed to absorb period flow before it can leave your body, which makes them one of the best products to use for swimming on your period. You wonât have to worry about signs of your period showing in the water. Pads are made to absorb period flow too, but as theyâre worn outside of the body â and would be great at absorbing all that pool water too â youâd end up with a soggy bottom and looking like you were wearing a nappy . So, do yourself a favour and leave the pads at home. All Tampax tampons can be worn while swimming in any kind of water, and only Tampax tampons have a LeakGuard Braid to help stop leaks before they happen â giving you all-day comfort and protection for up to eight hours.
Have a look at how to insertâ¯a tampon and practice a few times before you head into the water â especially if using a tampon is new to you. Be sure to tuck the string into the lining of your swimming costume before you leave the bathroom, and you should be good to go.
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