While some girls are particularly nervous about swimming when they are menstruating, you shouldn't let this condition affect your day at the pool or beach with friends. In fact, among other things, physical activity such as swimming during the period reduces cramps and improves mood. If you want to know how to behave, read on.
Steps
Step 1. Use a tampon or menstrual cup
Although water reduces blood flow, it is not very hygienic to share the pool with friends if you are not wearing a pad or cup. If you are not comfortable with these accessories, you should use them for a while at home before trying to swim.
- Internal tampons: if you are already used to using them, they are perfect for swimming. You won't have to worry about leaking, as tampons expand to fit your body. Just make sure you hide the drawstring well, then you'll be ready to swim anywhere, even in the clearest waters, wearing the swimsuit of your choice. Remember to change your tampon after a couple of hours if you have a heavy flow, and in any case don't wait more than 8 hours.
- The menstrual cup: Although they are not yet as popular as tampons, menstrual cups are also inserted into the vagina and collect menstrual blood. They can stay in place for up to 10 hours, more than a swab. The advantage is in functionality, invisibility and the ability to adapt to the body. With the cup there is no leakage and you don't even have to worry about hiding the drawstring.
- Remember that you cannot swim with a panty liner or tampon. It will soak in water as soon as you dive in and it is quite noticeable through the costume.
Step 2. Bring extra spare parts
If you decide to use tampons, you will need to change them several times throughout the day. Bring a few more in case your group of friends decide to fully enjoy the day and stay longer. If you want to change into regular clothes and a tampon after your swim, remember to bring those too.
- If you have heavy flow, change your tampon every 3-4 hours.
- If you use the menstrual cup, you probably won't have to worry about throwing it away on the spot, as it lasts up to 12 hours. However, having a spare one doesn't hurt.
- Also, some of your friends may need a tampon during the day.
Step 3. Ignore all myths about the subject
There are many legends and many lies around the menstrual cycle. Don't listen to people who tell you it's unhealthy to swim with your period.
- Menstrual blood does not attract sharks. Of course, avoid shark-infested waters anyway, unless proper precautions are taken, but your period certainly won't attract them.
- Tampons do not absorb excessive amounts of water while swimming. If they did, Olympic swimmers, marine biologists and divers would not use them.
- Women have been swimming and spending time in the water for millennia.
- Our reproductive systems are capable of handling immersion in aquatic environments because we are well designed to do so.
Step 4. If you are really worried, wear shorts
While it's not necessary, if you're nervous about seeing the tampon drawstring or just don't feel comfortable, you can wear shorts so you'll feel better. Buy a cute pair, not too loose and wear them over the costume; to be even more serene, take one in dark colors.
- Men's style board shorts often look great with a bikini and is a style that doesn't attract attention or curiosity.
- You can also say that you can't find the bottom of the swimsuit so you have to borrow your brother's or something.
Step 5. Wear a dark bathing suit if you are concerned about getting dirty
While this is unlikely to happen, if you put on your tampon well you can feel even more comfortable with a black, navy or dark purple brief, so you can enjoy your beautiful day of swimming.
Also choose a swimsuit whose fabric is a little heavier in the bikini area, so you can be sure the drawstring won't notice
Step 6. Swim without thinking about the cycle
Swim with serenity and without worries! Don't constantly check your swimsuit and don't turn around to look at the water every 5 minutes: it's like shouting at everyone that you are menstruating! Apologize and move away from the water to go to the bathroom if you are worried about a leak. Try to ignore the fact that you are on period and have fun.
Get organized with friends. Ask your best friend to notify you if she notices any problems
Step 7. Protect yourself from swelling and cramps
While there isn't a completely safe method to feel perfectly normal during your period, there are some precautions you can take to avoid cramping and swelling. Avoid fried, salty and generally unhealthy foods and don't drink caffeine. If you are in a lot of pain, take a specific NSAID for menstrual pain (aspirin is a mild blood thinner and makes bleeding worse). Sometimes, the best thing to do is stay in the water and forget about the pain and discomfort.
Step 8. If you don't feel like swimming, just sunbathe
If you are not well, you feel uncomfortable or you are simply too nervous about entering the water, refuse with great courtesy and take a sunbath. If there's at least one girl in the group, she'll probably figure out the real reason right away, while the guys won't even notice.
- Find ways to interact with your friends anyway, even if you don't enter the water. You can sit by the edge of the pool and let your legs dangle in the water, run on the water's edge and cheer for every race even from the shore.
- But remember that this is your last resort if you don't feel comfortable at all. You should be confident enough to swim whenever you want, regardless of your period. Period is a completely natural occurrence that should proudly remind you of being a woman and not something to be ashamed of.
Advice
- Before entering the water, remember to urinate. It is useful for reducing the risk of bleeding in the water.
- It is always advisable to wear dark costumes. They are not only intriguing, but they are useful for hiding any stains.
- If you feel uncomfortable because you fear abundant leakage is on the way, trust your instincts and get out of the water.
- Behave naturally. There is nothing worse than attracting attention in the event of a loss. Take a moment and go get changed.
- Wear a black costume so no one will notice any loss.
- Remember to bring something with you to cover your swimsuit in case it gets stained, such as a sarong, shorts or skirt.
- If you get dirty, and a friend notices it, don't make a scene, it will attract attention. Decide on a gesture or a code phrase such as: "I'd like to drink a juice, would you go and see if I have any in my bag?".
- Don't let your period stop you from swimming. A little exercise will make you feel better!
- You can arrange with a trusted friend to have a spare bathing suit or spare pads so both of you will be safe.
- Wear shorts to hide the volume of the tampon or use tampons.
- Instead of wearing your swimsuit bottoms, wear black shorts. Do not use a tampon when in the water, but put it on immediately after a shower.
- If you are taking a swimming class and believe you have a leak, simply state that you are not feeling well and get out of the water. Go to the bathroom every hour and change your tampon. If you are having trouble, talk to your swim teacher.
- Have fun! Exercise will only do you good. Ask a friend you trust for advice on this.
- Organized. If you know that the toilet you will change into does not have a waste bin in every compartment, bring a plastic bag with you and then throw it in the next available bin.
- Pads absorb water and will embarrass you.
- You can also use a folded piece of fabric, but only when you don't have tampons / pads or menstrual cups available.
- Use small pads, they are discreet but you will need to change them often.
- Use a thin pad to make it less noticeable.
- If you are on vacation, go to the bathroom and take off the tampon, hold on tight and run to the pool. The blood stops in the water. Then, when you're done swimming, make sure you have a sanitary pad on hand, go to the bathroom and put it on. To feel even more confident, wear a black, red or brown costume.
- To better hide the tampon drawstring, you can shorten it slightly. Don't cut it too much, or you won't be able to extract it anymore!
- Menstrual flow stops as soon as you enter the water, which is why you don't see blood when you shower or bathe. If you are clean before entering the water there will be no leaks. Remember that cold water will slow down the resumption of flow, while hot water will make it more abundant. Don't worry, you'll still have plenty of time to dry and get dressed before it starts again.
Warnings
- Although the blood flow tends to slow down in the water, it doesn't stop completely. There may be a small leak after a while, but it won't be noticeable.
- According to some girls, it is not necessary to wear an external pad to swim, because in the water it cannot absorb blood.
