Approved Guide
How to Handle Swim on Your Period with a Pad Step by Step
When swim on your period with a pad leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.
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Part
1
Wearing a Pad
1
Change your pad
often when you’re swimming. Because pads are designed to absorb liquid, they become less effective when you’re swimming. Plus, they will feel wet and soggy. Every time you get out of the pool, change your pad to stay protected. Keep in mind, though, it may be difficult to stick a new pad on since you’ll be putting it on a wet bathing suit.
- often when you’re swimming.
- Because pads are designed to absorb liquid, they become less effective when you’re swimming.
- Plus, they will feel wet and soggy.
- Every time you get out of the pool, change your pad to stay protected.
- Keep in mind, though, it may be difficult to stick a new pad on since you’ll be putting it on a wet bathing suit.
2
Opt for a dark-colored bathing suit.
Dark colors hide leaks better than lighter colors. Therefore, if you have a little problem with your pad, it will be less likely to show if you choose a dark bathing suit.
- Dark colors hide leaks better than lighter colors.
- Therefore, if you have a little problem with your pad, it will be less likely to show if you choose a dark bathing suit.
- Dark colors hide leaks better than lighter colors.
- Therefore, if you have a little problem with your pad, it will be less likely to show if you choose a dark bathing suit.
- Dark colors hide leaks better than lighter colors.
Part
2
Using Other Options
1
Put on absorbent, leak-proof swimwear for a similar experience to a pad.
This type of swimwear fits close to your body so you don’t leak. It also has a lining to absorb your flow so it doesn’t go anywhere but in your swimsuit. This is a good option if you don’t feel ready for tampons or menstrual cups, or simply can’t wear them.
- This type of swimwear fits close to your body so you don’t leak.
- It also has a lining to absorb your flow so it doesn’t go anywhere but in your swimsuit.
- This is a good option if you don’t feel ready for tampons or menstrual cups, or simply can’t wear them.
- This type of swimwear fits close to your body so you don’t leak.
- It also has a lining to absorb your flow so it doesn’t go anywhere but in your swimsuit.
2
Wear a tampon
for a disposable alternative. Tampons offer extra security when swimming on your period, according to Gharib. Souad Gharib Exercise & Wellness Specialist Expert Interview Make sure to tuck in the string so it doesn’t show under the edge of your swimsuit. Also, remember to change your tampon every 4-6 hours (or when it’s saturated with blood). To insert a tampon, follow these steps:
- for a disposable alternative.
- Tampons offer extra security when swimming on your period, according to Gharib.
- Souad Gharib Exercise & Wellness Specialist Expert Interview Make sure to tuck in the string so it doesn’t show under the edge of your swimsuit.
- Also, remember to change your tampon every 4-6 hours (or when it’s saturated with blood).
- To insert a tampon, follow these steps:
3
Try a menstrual cup
for a reusable, leak-proof option. Gharib recommends using a menstrual cup while swimming for extra security. Souad Gharib Exercise & Wellness Specialist Expert Interview A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup that fits inside your vagina. Rather than absorbing blood like a tampon or pad, it collects it. It’s held in place by forming a seal with your vaginal wall, so it usually won’t leak once you get the hang of it. That makes it perfect for swimming. To insert a menstrual cup, wash your hands, apply a thin layer of water or a water-based lubricant to the rim of the cup, and fold the cup in half with the rim facing up. Push it into your vaginal opening like you would a tampon, then rotate it into place.
- for a reusable, leak-proof option.
- Gharib recommends using a menstrual cup while swimming for extra security.
- Souad Gharib Exercise & Wellness Specialist Expert Interview A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup that fits inside your vagina.
- Rather than absorbing blood like a tampon or pad, it collects it.
- It’s held in place by forming a seal with your vaginal wall, so it usually won’t leak once you get the hang of it.
4
Go without a product if you have a very light flow that stops in the water.
Your flow may be so light that you don’t need to use a pad, tampon, or cup. In fact, for some people, the water pressure of a lake or pool can be enough to prevent menstrual flow. Just be sure to have a towel to wrap around you when you get out to hide any leaks.
- Your flow may be so light that you don’t need to use a pad, tampon, or cup.
- In fact, for some people, the water pressure of a lake or pool can be enough to prevent menstrual flow.
- Just be sure to have a towel to wrap around you when you get out to hide any leaks.
- Your flow may be so light that you don’t need to use a pad, tampon, or cup.
- In fact, for some people, the water pressure of a lake or pool can be enough to prevent menstrual flow.
5
Avoid swimming on your period if it makes you uncomfortable.
No one can make you swim on your period if you're not comfortable doing it. If you’re young, most adults will understand if you tell them. You can just say you’re not feeling well if you’re too embarrassed to say you’re on your period.
- No one can make you swim on your period if you're not comfortable doing it.
- If you’re young, most adults will understand if you tell them.
- You can just say you’re not feeling well if you’re too embarrassed to say you’re on your period.
- No one can make you swim on your period if you're not comfortable doing it.
- If you’re young, most adults will understand if you tell them.
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References
- https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/menstruation/how-to-use-menstrual-hygiene-products
- https://www.usms.org/en/fitness-and-training/articles-and-videos/articles/can-i-swim-during-my-period
- https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/2853556/Period-FAQ-.pdf
- https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/supplies.html
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-insert-a-tampon
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/menstrual-cup
- https://www.morelandobgyn.com/blog/can-you-swim-with-your-period
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/response/responding-to-blood-and-vomit-in-the-pool.html
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