You've been waiting all week to spend a day at the beach with friends when suddenly there they are! You have menstruated. But don't give up on your beautiful day in the sun! With the right tools and a little planning, you can swim, sunbathe and play with your friends.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparations
Step 1. Wear a menstrual cup or tampon if you plan to swim
A normal sanitary napkin is absolutely not suitable for bathing; it would quickly soak in water and could no longer perform its function of retaining menstrual blood; it would swell until it assumes an evident and embarrassing size, it would not stick well to the costume, it could slide out and float on the surface of the water. Tampons and menstrual cups hold blood before it even leaves the body, so the risk of leaking is minimal.
- You can keep tampons for up to 8 hours and cups for up to 12 hours, so you can feel free to sunbathe, swim and play beach volleyball without having to run to the bathroom.
- Look for tampons made specifically to be used while engaging in sports activities. With these products there is less risk of leaks and they are also specially designed to stay in place while you swim, run or jump to grab a Frisbee.
- If you are concerned that you may notice the cord, you can use a nail clipper to carefully shorten it after inserting the tampon. If not, you can just slip it into your swimsuit and no one will see it.
- When you enter the water, the flow should stop or become lighter. The water pressure could act like a plug or a small valve and keep the menstrual flow inside; however, it is not certain that this will happen and you should not fully rely on it.
Step 2. Make a good supply
Put some spare tampons in a purse and take it to the beach with you so you don't run out of it. The flow may be stronger than expected, you may need to change the tampon several times or you may stay on the beach for longer than scheduled and exceed the maximum 8 hours, during which you can keep the tampon safely.
- Having some spare on hand allows you to stay calm, so you can relax and have fun instead of worrying about finding a new tampon.
- Also, by bringing extra tampons, you can save the day for a few other friends who are caught off guard by their period or who don't have enough tampons with them.
Step 3. Put on a dark colored costume
This is certainly not the occasion to wear a white one. There is always a slight risk of some leakage, and since you can't wear a panty liner to protect yourself from spills, choose a dark colored garment, such as black or blue, to hide any accidents.
If you experience the risk of leaks with a lot of anxiety, consider wearing a pair of shorts or a cute sarong to cover the bottom of the costume, so that you have an extra layer to protect you
Step 4. Take pain relievers to relieve cramps
What's worse than menstrual cramps? Have them when you are on the beach! Make sure you bring some mild medications with you (as well as water and snacks).
Put hot or boiling water with a little lemon in a thermos. It will help you improve circulation and relax your muscles, relieving cramps
Step 5. Skip or delay your period with contraceptives
If you know that your one week beach vacation coincides with your period, you can choose to "skip" or simply postpone it to the next week. This is a safe solution, if it is occasional, and does not affect the effectiveness of the contraceptive.
- If you take the pill, do not take the placebo tablets for one week (they usually have a different symbol or color). Instead, start the new packaging right away.
- If you use the birth control patch or vaginal ring, take it off after three weeks as usual, but instead of waiting a week, replace it immediately with a new one.
- You may experience mid-cycle discharge (or spotting) when you miss your period, so you should always wear panty liners, just in case.
- Make sure you have a supply of birth control pills, patches or rings by requesting your prescription early (as you will need a new pack ahead of schedule).
Part 2 of 3: At the Beach
Step 1. Drink plenty of water and don't eat salty foods to avoid bloating and cramps
You certainly don't want to feel bloated and uncomfortable on the day you want to have fun in a bathing suit. Do not eat fried and salty foods, instead opt for fruit snacks that contain a lot of water, such as watermelon and berries, or almonds which are rich in calcium and help reduce cramps.
- Avoid caffeine, as it can aggravate cramps.
- Drink water, decaf tea, or lemonade instead of sodas or alcoholic beverages which can increase bloating.
Step 2. Get somewhere near a bathroom
There is no need to camp just outside the restrooms, but make sure there is at least one nearby so you can easily reach it to change your tampon or to check for leaks. Also, having an empty bladder and bowel helps relieve cramps, so it can be convenient to have frequent access to the bathroom.
Step 3. Apply oil-free sunscreen designed specifically for the face
Most women have rashes on their face during periods, so an oily sunscreen can aggravate the situation. Look for a product that is formulated to be used on the face and does not cause pimples. If you know you have pimples or redness, apply a tinted moisturizer over your sunscreen to even out your skin tone.
You can also put on a large pair of sunglasses and a cute hat to hide "menstruation acne". Plus you'll have a really sophisticated look
Step 4. Go swimming or stay active to try to stop the cramps
It may be the last thing you want to do, but exercise is sometimes the best solution for cramps. The endorphins that are released from the body improve mood and act as a natural pain reliever.
If you don't really feel like moving, lift your feet up on a stack of towels or beach bag to soothe the cramps. You can also lie down on your stomach and take long, slow breaths
Part 3 of 3: Going to the Beach When You Are Not Wearing Internal Sanitary Pads
Step 1. Get familiar with tampons
Many women are a little intimidated by them before they start wearing them, but they are actually very comfortable, easy to wear and useful. Practice a little before you go to the beach (but only during your period, as insertion without your period can be painful and dangerous), so you'll feel comfortable when you step into the water.
- Remember that it is not possible for them to remain in the body. If something goes wrong and the cord breaks, it is very easy to pull out the swab. You just have to make sure you don't keep it for more than eight hours and everything will be fine.
- Some women have difficulty inserting it because the vaginal opening is too small or tight.
Step 2. Put on a tampon and spend the day reading and sunbathing
If you don't plan on swimming, you may want to put a thin pad over the swimsuit. Make sure it has no wings and check in the mirror that it is not too bulky or visible through the bottom of the swimsuit.
Put a pair of cute shorts or a sarong around your waist in case you see the tampon through the swimsuit
Step 3. Try swimming without a pad
It can get a little tricky and you may still bleed a little in the water, but if you can't put on a tampon and can't resist the idea of a good swim, you can try this solution. When you are ready to swim, go to the bathroom, take off the tampon, put on a pair of shorts, and quickly run to the water.
- Take off your shorts and leave them on the sand, then quickly get into the sea. While it's not always a certainty, water can cut off the flow while you're swimming or it can reduce it so that no one notices.
- Finally, put your shorts back on right away, grab a new sanitary pad and go to the bathroom to put it on. Maybe the pad won't stick to wet fabric, so you should change into panties and keep shorts.
- The menstrual cycle doesn't attract sharks, so you don't have to worry about this aspect.
