Can You Swim In The Pool While On Your Period

Can I Get An Infection Whilst Swimming On My Period

You could get an infection from swimming, but this doesnt really have anything to do with whether or not you have your period. Chlorinated pools in particular are more likely to cause irritation to the skin than salt-water, which may lead to a vaginal infection. The best way to reduce your risk of any infection down there is to shower as soon as you get out of the water and never stay in wet bathers for too long.

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.

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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How Do I Know If I Started My Period

Your first period may be very light or short . It could be bright red or only a few reddish-brown spots. It is normal for your period to last 2-7 days. Periods are part of your menstrual cycle and usually come every 21-45 days. How long or often it comes may change during the first few years .

Every personâs body is on its own schedule. Before your get your first period, you might notice changes in your:

• Nipples/Breasts

Will Swimming On Your Period Leave A Blood Trail

No, you will not leave a blood trail if you swim on your period. The water pressure and buoyancy create an upwards force, which stops blood from coming out. Once youre out of the water, gravity and the exertion of getting out of a pool can cause your period blood to come out, which is why you might want to still wear protection.

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You Cant Scuba Dive On Your Period Right

Over to scuba diving #RealMooncupUser Lauren:

Just wanted to let you know that I wore my Mooncup® while diving several times a day for a few weeks, to depths of approx 18 metres, and it was absolutely fine. Cleaning it well on a remote island with no running water was more of an issue, but I managed! Thanks very much.

So, why not go with the flow and enjoy a nice dip in the water period or not!

The Mooncup® is great if you want to go swimming on your period. Find out more about the Mooncup menstrual and buy yours here. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us here.

Read more on the Mooncup Blog:

Simfamily Reusable Waterproof Bamboo Charcoal Menstrual Pads

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Yes You Can Swim On Your Period

Good news â yes, you can go swimming on your period! If itâs a hot summerâs day at the beach or youâre swimming laps at your local pool and youâve got your period, you shouldnât have to worry about leaving a trail of blood or being attacked by a shark in the ocean . Itâs safe to hit the water on your period, as long as you wear a tampon orâ¯menstrual cupâ¯while youâre swimming. Read on for some facts about swimming on your period and what period products can help .

How To Swim On Your Period Without A Tampon

This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a board certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her residency at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2010, where she was awarded the Most Outstanding Resident in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Most Outstanding Resident in Oncology, and Most Outstanding Resident Overall.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 788,374 times.

Swimming while on your period can help to ease cramps and provide a gentle and fun way to exercise. While most women use tampons to contain their menstrual flow while swimming, other women either dislike tampons or cannot use them. Fortunately, there are several options to try for women who would like to swim on their period without using a tampon.

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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 , 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,

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.

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Swimming On Your Period Is Good For 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.

Will My Period Bring Sharks

Although this would make a great scary movie, there is zero evidence to suggest that sharks are particularly drawn to people who are menstruating. According to Popular Science, sharks can smell period blood, but they can also smell regular blood , urine, sweat, mucus, and any other bodily fluid that contains amino acids. And despite what Jaws would have you think, sharks dont generally snack on humans they prefer tastier treats like fish.

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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.

Dont Be Afraid To Sunbathe

Sometimes, no matter what, you just wont be in the mood to hit the water.

Thats okay! Pull your fab bathing suit over whateeeverr period products you want, grab your cutest sunnies, a good book, and set up shop poolside or on the sand. Just remember to apply pleeenty of SPF. Anyone youre hanging with should totally understand, and theres nothing to be ashamed of!

Got any of your own hacks for swimming on your period? Share them in the comments!

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You Can Delay Your Period If You Want

If you really are worried about going in the pool or the sea whilst bleeding, there are options for delaying your period. If youre using the typical combined hormonal contraceptive pills, for example, you can just continue on with the next pack instead of taking the placebo pills or missing a week. You can also talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about switching to a pill set which means you only have a period every three months or so. If youre an avid swimmer and you love nothing more than being in the pool or the sea, this might be a better option for you. Wed always recommend talking to a trusted professional before switching up your birth control, or any medication. Better to be safe than sorry!

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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!

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Myth : My Period Could Cause A Shark Attack

There is zero evidence to prove that swimming in an ocean with sharks while on your period would cause a shark attack. In addition to sharks being able to smell blood, they can also smell urine, sweat, mucus, and other bodily fluids that contain amino acids. Sharks prefer to snack on fish and only attack if they feel they are threatened.

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.”

However, 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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So Does That Mean I Don’t Need To Wear Tampons In Water

Even if your period tends to be light, tampons and menstrual cups can save you when you exit the water. The second you come out of the water your period will start flowing again, says Dr. Haughton. And then you could have a stain on your bathing suit.

They also come in handy if you tend to have a lot of blood clots .

The Beach Is Your Friendjust Like The Pool

You can swim in the ocean just as freely as your backyard pool. Obviously, the amount of water in the ocean is going to dilute the chances of germs being spread through bodily fluids. And if youre worried about sharksdont be. A shark will sense menstrual blood in the water just like any other fluid, but youre just as likely to be bitten by a shark when youre on your period as when youre not . So noJaws wont be after you just because youre dealing with Auntie Flo.

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Having Your Period Should Never Hold You Back From Doing The Things You Love Living Life To The Fullest And Having A Great Time

This includes going on vacation, visiting the beach, or having a pool party with friends. What about swimming on your period with a pad?

Can you go swimming with a pad?

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. No fun.

Water can also make the sticky backing that keeps your pad in place ineffective. This is why itâs not a good idea to swim on your period with a pad.

However, if youâre just lounging poolside or sunbathing on the beach, feel free to wear a pad. You may want to wear a pair of shorts or a cover-up over your swim bottoms to make yourself more comfortable. However, if you plan on taking a dip in the water, itâs better to wear a tampon.

While weâre at it, letâs put your mind at ease about a few more things girls wonder about swimming while on their period:

BTW – getting your pad wet wonât cause you any harm. So, if your pad gets wet by accident, donât sweat about it.

You can swim with a pad from a physical standpoint. It wonât hurt you in any way. But from a protection standpoint â no, you canât swim with a pad.

If youâre comfortable using tampons, go ahead and put one in and dive right into the water.