Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can I go swimming on period?

76 replies

Neveregudenough · 27/08/2023 13:26

Kids are desperate to go swimming today but I’m on quite heavy but want to take them.

is it a big no no? Or is there some tips and tricks?

OP posts:
LiOLeary · 27/08/2023 13:27

What? Of course you can. Just wear a tampon or a cup.

bryceQ · 27/08/2023 13:28

What do you use?

A menstrual cup would be safe. Or I've swam with tampons.

You can also get period swimwear now but I feel like I'd only want that as backup and to have internal protection

Childbendivision1 · 27/08/2023 13:28

Tampon.

Original poster
Neveregudenough · 27/08/2023 13:29

And it won’t leak if I wear a tampon? I’ve never done it before but think I might suck it up!

OP posts:
Devilsmommy · 27/08/2023 13:30

Definitely a tampon, the biggest size of it really heavy

Anewuser · 27/08/2023 13:30

As long as you use internal protection, such as a tampon. It’s an old wives tale that you won’t bleed in the water.

Coffeaddict · 27/08/2023 13:30

Yeah tampon is fine

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 27/08/2023 13:36

Tampon is fine, but you should change it as soon as you come out of the pool.

ManchesterGirl2 · 27/08/2023 13:38

Yes tampon, make sure it's big enough to comfortably last. Then change it afterwards. It can end up absorbing a bit of water from the pool, but the blood does not go through.

dizzydizzydizzy · 27/08/2023 13:39

Use a tampon and take it out as soon as you get out of the pool. I'm a keen swimmer. It works.

Topseyt123 · 27/08/2023 13:39

How heavy? You could try a super plus tampon for a little while beforehand to see if it contains it effectively and whether it stays in place. If so then fine.

If by heavy you mean huge flooding that soaks through them in minutes and even washes them out then it is probably a good idea to wait a few days for it to slow down. I used to have periods like that, like a tap turned on with huge clots too and definitely couldn't have gone swimming during one as nothing short of adult nappies contained them.

sheeplikessleep · 27/08/2023 13:39

Yep, super plus in just before u go in, then change it when you get out.

TheShellBeach · 27/08/2023 13:41

I'm surprised you need to ask!

HectorSalamanca · 27/08/2023 13:42

Have you not seen the adverts? You can go horse riding and roller staking too 😂

You will be fine with a tampon. As PP's have said, take it out when you get out the pool. I was on my period on holiday and was in the pool every day.

ManchesterGirl2 · 27/08/2023 13:42

TheShellBeach · 27/08/2023 13:41

I'm surprised you need to ask!

How would you know if no one has ever told you?

TheShellBeach · 27/08/2023 13:45

ManchesterGirl2 · 27/08/2023 13:42

How would you know if no one has ever told you?

Show quote history

I'm sorry but how has a woman reached adulthood without finding this out?
OP surely you went swimming at school?

ladyvimes · 27/08/2023 13:45

To be honest even without a cup or tampon you’d be fine. The amount you’d actually bleed in the water would be minimal and completely negated by the chemicals in the pool.

SnowWhiteAndTheTwoKids · 27/08/2023 13:45

TheShellBeach · 27/08/2023 13:41

I'm surprised you need to ask!

So am I! How on earth do you get to adulthood not knowing this?

WeetabixTowels · 27/08/2023 13:48

<Stares at thread title>
<Double checks I’m reading MN and not Mizz magazine circa 1998>

TheShellBeach · 27/08/2023 13:50

WeetabixTowels · 27/08/2023 13:48

<Stares at thread title>
<Double checks I’m reading MN and not Mizz magazine circa 1998>

Well exactly.

Thisismynewusername1 · 27/08/2023 13:52

ManchesterGirl2 · 27/08/2023 13:42

How would you know if no one has ever told you?

Show quote history

As an adult with kids surely it’s difficult to avoid swimming with a period? Do you just not get in the pool on holiday or not take your kids swimming?

even if you choose not to yourself you must realise women swim on periods and it is normal to do so? There’s even been news articles over the years about women competing triathlon and swimming/aquatics at the olympics while on their period. How do you think these women train full time at that level- have every 4th week off?

NuffSaidSam · 27/08/2023 13:55

ladyvimes · 27/08/2023 13:45

To be honest even without a cup or tampon you’d be fine. The amount you’d actually bleed in the water would be minimal and completely negated by the chemicals in the pool.

This is not true!

NuffSaidSam · 27/08/2023 13:55

TheShellBeach · 27/08/2023 13:45

I'm sorry but how has a woman reached adulthood without finding this out?
OP surely you went swimming at school?

Show quote history

I didn't go swimming at secondary school. I don't think that's standard for everyone.

TheShellBeach · 27/08/2023 13:59

NuffSaidSam · 27/08/2023 13:55

I didn't go swimming at secondary school. I don't think that's standard for everyone.

Show quote history

Okay, fair enough - but how does the OP think that world-class female swimming champions manage?
Just announce to their team captains that the Olympic Games dates are inconvenient this time?
FFS.

NuffSaidSam · 27/08/2023 14:02

TheShellBeach · 27/08/2023 13:59

Okay, fair enough - but how does the OP think that world-class female swimming champions manage?
Just announce to their team captains that the Olympic Games dates are inconvenient this time?
FFS.

Show quote history

I've absolutely no idea what the OP thinks, I'm not in her mind.

Perhaps, like me, she's never spared a second to think about professional swimmers?

I was simply pointing out that not everyone swims at secondary school. Not everyone thinks about professional swimmers. Evidently the OP didn't know the answer to this question so she asked. Fair enough. No need for FFS or making her feel like an idiot is there?