Swimming during your period – what to remember?

Can you go swimming during menstruation?

Yes! If you feel that swimming is what you need during your period – go for it! All you need to do is remember to use hygiene products to avoid any potential “leakage”.

How to protect yourself when swimming during your period?

Here are some ways to swim safely and comfortably during your period:

Use a tampon

The tampon works inside the body, absorbing menstrual fluid like a sponge absorbs water. It is possible that the tampon will soak up a small amount of pool water containing bacteria that disrupt the vaginal pH . To avoid infections, remember to change the tampon immediately before and after swimming!

Use a menstrual cup

If you choose a menstrual cup , you don't have to worry about pool water getting into it.

The cup also has a larger capacity than a tampon, so there is less chance of any leakage . As far as I’m concerned, menstrual cups could definitely compete with waterproof headphones for the title of best pool gadget!

Put on your menstrual swimsuit

Underwear that can be used during your period instead of sanitary products has been around for a while now. Recently, the next stage of the period revolution has come – menstrual swimwear has appeared on the market .

The multi-layer lining of their lower part has better and greater absorbency than pads, and the outer material is quick-drying . Of course, after bathing, the suit needs to be washed, but after this small duty, we can swim in it the next day without any worries.

If you want, choose a swimsuit in a dark color

Using just a tampon or cup, you can definitely put on a lime green, yellow or white bikini and jump in the water! It's a matter of your comfort and sense of security, so it's good to have additional options in your wardrobe just in case. :)

As you can see, pads were not included in the above bath emergency kit . The reason is simple: when immersed in water, a pad made of absorbent material would quickly fill to the brim, leaving no room for menstrual fluid .

The glue that holds the pad together also stops working underwater, so it's possible that it could slip out from under the swimsuit and... float away, wherever the current takes it. But let's not assume the worst-case scenarios ;)

Is swimming during your period hygienic?

There is nothing unhygienic about swimming during your period as long as you use appropriate protection .

The pressure of the water can temporarily stop your period while swimming, although more often than not it simply slows the flow. If you laugh, cough or sneeze while in the water, the tightening of your abdominal muscles can help to expel a small amount of blood. For this reason, swimming during your period without using any sanitary product is not a good idea (even if it is a light period).

Small amounts of body fluids (such as urine or sweat) are quickly diluted in the sea or lake, and neutralized in a swimming pool with chlorine or bromine. However, this does not mean that we should stop caring about the cleanliness of the water in which we swim (just as the relatively rapid decomposition of a tissue does not mean that we should throw it on the pavement or grass during a walk) .

Also read our article about menstrual synchrony - does it really exist?

Does swimming relieve period pain?

Competitive swimming may not be the answer, but relaxing swimming can definitely help ease menstrual cramps (which you can learn more about here ), as can other low-intensity exercise.

During physical activity, endorphins are released , which improve well-being, and beta-endorphins , which relieve pain. If you have severe cramps and low energy, staying in bed may be the best solution. However, if you feel that swimming will help you relax a bit, there is nothing left to do but to dive in!

Swimming during menstruation and intimate infections

The chlorine used to clean pools kills bacteria in the water. But remember, not all bacteria are bad – the bacteria naturally found in the vagina help keep it healthy.

Chlorine disrupts the pH balance of the vagina and can irritate it, leading to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis .

And if the infections mentioned happen to you very often, you can buy probiotic tampons, i.e. those with Lactobacillus (lactic acid) bacteria . The addition of live bacteria cultures, which naturally create vaginal flora, will reduce the risk of infection.

As I have already written, changing hygiene products just before and after bathing definitely minimizes the risk of intimate infections . Also remember to shower and avoid sitting in a wet swimsuit after swimming in the pool.

If after bathing you feel itching or burning in your intimate areas or you notice unusual vaginal discharge, consult a doctor!

Saying that during your period you can move mountains and swim across the sea will be empowering for some, and completely out of their league for others. It all depends on your desires and mood – if you feel up to it, pack what you need, jump into the water and go wild with that crawl! 

A. Caballero-Guzmán, MM Lafaurie-Vilamil, Swimming and menstruation: a qualitive study in elite female swimmers , "Revista de la Facultad de Medicina" 2020, vol. 68, i. 3, p. 356-362.
AM van Eijk, G. Zulaika, M. Lenchner et al., Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis , "The Lancet Public Health" 2019, vol. 4, i. 8, p. 376-393.
AM Maged, AH Abbassy, ​​HRS Sakr et al., Effect of swimming exercise on premenstrual syndrome , "Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics" 2018, vol. 297, i. 4, p. 951-959.
J. Rivera, T. Adera, Assessing Water Quality: Staphylococci as microbial indicators in swimming pools , "Journal of Environmental Health" 1991, vol. 53, i. 6, p. 29-32.