How to swim during period

If you are female and a regular swimmer, you may it find difficult to swim during period. You may find it uncomfortable to swim without a pad.

However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t swim while on period.

Other than physical discomfort, swimming during your period is beneficial for you. Thankfully, there are also various products you can use to swim during your period, which is easy and convenient to wear. In this article, we will discuss why you should swim on your period, and how.

Tampons

Using tampons is the best way to swim during this time. These are one of the only products you can use while on your period and by far the easiest to use. Tampons are a little intimidating for many young girls, but if you take swimming very seriously, there is nothing much else you can use. Wear a well-fitting comfortable swimsuit after that.

Tampons prevent leakage into the water and have a very easy application process. The best part of tampons is their comfort and convenience. These are some that you can use.

Personal choice

I have been using this for quite some time and this suits me when I am swimming for a session.

Bio-degradable tampon

Now that when need to be environmentally conscious, this is one of the products we should be using. This is biodegradable cotton tampons from Pee Safe.

Precautions to be taken when wearing tampons

Tampons might be very convenient, but you need to be more careful than wearing pads. Change your tampons every 4 hours. Do not keep them any longer than 8 hours, or you risk developing TSS. Especially as a swimmer, you have a higher risk, because the impurities from the water may also infect you.

On insertion, make sure you insert your tampon completely. Otherwise, you will be in a lot of pain during your swim. Your tampon should feel virtually like it is not there. Otherwise, you may cause damage and more pain during an already painful time of the month.

Additionally, you should always wash your hands before and after insertion. This is to prevent infection, and it is a hygienic practice.

Types of Tampons

Tampons come in a wide variety. You should choose tampons based on your comfort and what is most convenient for you and your body.

Material

Tampons are usually made of cotton or plastic. While the plastic holds more fluid and lasts longer, you might find it irritating on your skin. It is also not good for the environment. Cotton tampons are much softer, and feel more comfortable. However, their high absorbancy means that you cannot use them very long, but they should be enough for a swimming session. They tend to be more expensive, but will not cause you any irritation.

Size

Just like with pads, tampons come in various sizes. If you are someone with a higher flow, consider using the larger sizes, as this will prevent leaking. However, if you do not have a heavy flow, or you are wearing your tampon for less than 4 hours, you can use the smaller sizes. It is important that you get the right size of a tampon, or you may be in pain during removal.

Applicator

Applicators are very useful. I personally recommend that you buy tampons with an applicator. They make the process very hygienic and quick. Tampons without an applicator are less expensive, but they are not convenient. The applicator will help you insert the tampon quickly, without any mess, and as cleanly as possible. It might create some extra waste, but it will prevent you from getting an infection.

Scented

Tampons can come scented, or unscented. However, this is completely unnecessary. Use non-scented tampons as they are better for your skin, less expensive, and good for the environment. Scented tampons do not make much sense, especially if you are only using them for a short swim.

What are the benefits of swimming during this time?

Periods come with many other symptoms, including dizziness, cramps, headaches, and body pain. If you experience these symptoms, it may be difficult for you to find the energy to swim, or even feel physically able to do the same. Despite this, swimming or any physical exercise during your period is actually good for you. It can help reduce mood swings, and physical activity leads to pain relief.

Exercise

Exercise is a proven contributor to improved dopamine and body feel. It helps your body build pain tolerance, and focus the pain away from the cramps onto the adrenaline rush. Cramps are significantly less painful during exercise and can help you feel more at ease. Even if you do not want to swim during your period, a dryland exercise on heavier days will also help.

During your period, you also experience unhealthy cravings that might make you feel heavy or very full. Swimming will help you lose this heavy feeling, or reduce the need for cravings.

Pain relief

Swimming and other sports that you enjoy deliver high spikes of dopamine. This also helps you manage pain better, and the adrenaline from the practice will outweigh the other negative, pain-stimulating hormones on your period. If you suffer from cramps, I can confirm from personal experience that a long swim will help minimize pain while reducing body aches after a day of lying still, doubled-over with cramps.

Improved mood

Exercising releases many feel-good hormones and endorphins. When swimming, you may start to lose the stress and depressive feelings that are usually associated with your period. On your period, you tend to be more hormonal, and therefore more emotional. Small things may begin to annoy you or make you sad. However, by raising your endorphin levels, you can reduce your mood instability. It will help you feel more productive.

Socialization

While swimming itself as a sport will help improve your mood, it will also help you in other ways. By going to the swimming pool and meeting your friends, the socialization might even make you feel better. Even better if your friends are synced with you, and you bond with friends in more ways than one.

Alternative to tampon – menstrual cup

If you do not feel comfortable using a tampon, you can try using a menstrual cup. Some people may leak often using tampons, or are unable to find a size that can hold their flow. Some people may even develop reactions to using it. Instead, a menstrual cup may be used.

This is similar to a tampon in that it is inserted, but it is a very versatile and convenient product. It lasts for much longer, has a lower risk of infection, and can be reused.

Menstrual cups are very good for your body, as they are made of silicon, and good for the environment. You can also use them for longer, even on heavier flow. However, menstrual cups are difficult to get used to. If you are an older swimmer, consider this option.