Tampon and the pool – can you swim with a tampon?

Can you bathe with a tampon?

YES! You can swim or bathe with a tampon without any problems – whether in a bathtub, lake, sea or pool.

What's more,tampons , next to a menstrual cup , are the best choice available when planning to venture out into the open during your period.

Tampon and pool – how does it work?

Why are tampons best for bathing and swimming during your period?

A tampon works like a sponge, designed to absorb menstrual fluid before it leaves our bodies. This makes it much better for use in a pool or lake than a pad or period panties, which unfortunately won't work as well in water as they do on land.

Can a tampon leak while swimming?

Okay, but will the tampon leak while swimming, leaving an undesirable mark behind ? Probably not.

You may have heard that your period can “stop” while swimming. While it’s rare for bleeding to stop completely, it can actually be significantly less intense. Why? The answer comes from good old physics – when you swim, the water pressure counteracts gravity, slowing the flow of menstrual fluid .

If you sneeze or cough while swimming, a little menstrual fluid may escape the tampon (just as it could on land) and end up in the water. But don't worry! It will disappear unnoticed in the sea or a lake, and in a pool, bactericidal substances such as chlorine or bromine will deal with it .

You can learn how to insert a tampon in our instructions here , and how to remove it correctly – here .

Is swimming with a tampon safe?

We already know whether you can swim in the pool with a tampon, but what about safety and hygiene?

Whenever I talk to someone about tampons, the topic of safety comes to the fore. And for good reason – improper use of tampons (and other menstrual hygiene products) can lead to unpleasant consequences, infections and the rare but very dangerous toxic shock syndrome .

How to maintain hygiene when using tampons, especially when it comes to a trip to the pool?

To the pool with a tampon - user manual

First of all, make sure to put in a fresh tampon before entering the water . Most often, it is said to change the tampon every 4 to 8 hours, but I would not enter the water with a "used " tampon . Firstly, it is a matter of hygiene and safety, secondly, reducing the risk of unwanted leakage and loss of comfort.

Also check out our article " How long to keep a tampon in ?"

The FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration) also recommends using tampons with the lowest possible absorbency that is comfortable for us (for some, these will be mini tampons, for others, regular ones). Lower absorbency means that we have to change tampons more often, which is invaluable for our health.

Another important thing is to change the tampon to a new one after getting out of the water . Why? Our pussies are not waterproof, unfortunately . After a visit to the pool, sea or lake, water and bacteria can end up in the tampon - and this is already a significant argument for changing the tampon to a fresh one after getting on land. Thanks to this, we minimize the risk of infection and toxic shock syndrome.

Which tampon should I choose for the pool?

The most sensible thing to do is to choose a product that you know and use every day. The best tampon for the pool is the one that you have tested and proven itself in other conditions. A previously tested competitor will certainly give you peace of mind while swimming - and if it turns out that there is no love between you in the water, feel free to reach for another brand.

Psst, check out the guide: how to choose the right tampon size? .

You have a trip to the beach or pool ahead of you and you are wondering which tampons to choose? Well… there is no single medical recommendation regarding which tampon to choose for the pool .

In the context of trips to the swimming pool, the use of probiotic tampons with lactic acid is increasingly being discussed, but they are still a relatively new product on which we do not have much research.

Although current research is very promising and indicates a positive effect of probiotic tampons on intimate health (they are supposed to prevent vaginal and vulvar discomfort resulting from frequent swimming pool use, maintain the therapeutic effect of antibacterial or antifungal vaginal treatment and prevent recurrent infections, as well as counteract vaginal flora imbalances after antibiotic therapy), it is still too early to give a final opinion on probiotic tampons .

However, the reusable tampons that are becoming increasingly popular are definitely not a recommended option – they are a total no-go when it comes to visiting a swimming pool, but in my opinion also outside of it.

Reusable tampons are made from a variety of materials—cotton, bamboo, and even velour or microfleece. They are supposed to last for up to 6 to 12 months of use. They are supposed to be a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional disposable tampons, but the FDA is clear: reusable tampons can carry additional risks of infections, such as yeast, fungal , and bacterial infections . The agency does not recommend using reusable tampons as alternative menstrual products and has not approved any such product.

The most sensible thing to do is to choose a product that you know and use every day. The best tampon for the pool is the one that you have tested and proven itself in other conditions. A previously tested competitor will certainly give you peace of mind while swimming - and if it turns out that there is no love between you in the water, feel free to reach for another brand.

Psst, check out the guide: how to choose the right tampon size? .

We read the lineups (not only at the pool)

What I would like to draw your attention to, however – not only in the context of choosing the perfect tampons for the pool – is the composition of the product . Unfortunately, many menstrual products contain potentially harmful chemicals (such as chlorine or dioxins) that can irritate and sensitize our intimate areas to infections.

The Polish Gynecological Society Expert Team also points out that since modern cotton tampons began to replace those made of carboxymethylcellulose and polyester, the number of cases of toxic shock syndrome in the United States has drastically decreased - so it is definitely worth taking a moment to familiarize yourself with the composition of the product and choose one that is natural ( or even better - organic ) and tested. Thanks to this, we can spare ourselves such attractions as irritation, diaper rash or abrasions.

The market already has a growing selection of ecological and healthier alternatives to polyester tampons pumped with completely unnecessary chemicals. And choosing health(j) is definitely worth it!

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