Period swimsuits

[deedledeedledum]

Copying my comment on another thread that seems to have fizzled out, please can someone explain his period swim suits work?

I'm picturing a built in absorption pad - like period knickers have. But when you go swimming, doesn't the absorption area just fill with water? And won't you come out with a sodden, heavily water logged undercarriage? And won't the blood end up washing out if the padded area into the pool much like when you actually wash them?

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So you are saying your body is bone dry under the suit? I can not see how any swimsuit would create a humetically sealed chamber which it would have to if it were to stop water getting in. Swimming creates a lot of swishing and flexing action not completely dissimilar to washing a garment. Someone said when they washed the suit out there was a trickle of blood. If it was only a trickle I'm wondering if the blood just goes into the water and what the suit does is stop blood running out down your legs

They do seem a bit like magic. But in any event they also seem to work- my DD used them in the pool last week for the first time and they worked well.

If you are worried you could try them out in the bath first before you go on hols. Despite having seen my DD use them successfully I'm still thinking I'll do that just for peace of mind!

Having tried them, I don't think they really "work" in that sense. The gusset part isn't really absorbent, it couldn't be as pp says as it would absorb water. It's more textured plasticy fabric, so it sort of catches any little clots and stops blood running straight out. When I rinsed them out afterwards there wasn't really any blood, unlike when you rinse period underwear. So it hadn't caught any. I think the only reason you don't notice blood in the pool is that the pool is so big, it's less than a teaspoon in to thousands of litres of water.

I don't wear them because of this.

It would be simply impossible for the swimsuit to be hermetically sealed, no matter how tight it was. It would have to be glued on like a waterproof dressing for a cut and that just doesnt make sense.

I have a pair of Modibodi swim pants.

The instructions they came with said they are only designed for light flow, so I wear them as a back up in the hope they'll prevent any leaking from a waterlogged tampon.

They fit firmly but are definitely not watertight, and are soaked through when they're taken off (even when worn while not on period so I know it's water).

So far they have worked, I can't really say how though, nor I am I even sure I've had a proper tampon fail to test them properly. I suspect there's enough waterproofing in the gusset to stop any blood from escaping immediately, but not huge amounts, or for a really long time.

It's similar to an idea I've seen here on MN many times, posters claim they swim without sanitary protection and it's fine because "the cold water stops the flow". Clearly it doesn't. They've just never noticed that they are bleeding in to the water, if it's a large enough volume of water it wouldn't be noticeable.

They fit firmly but are definitely not watertight, and are soaked through when they're taken off (even when worn while not on period so I know it's water).

So far they have worked, I can't really say how though

That just doesn't make sense though. If they are soaked through, that means pool/sea water has come in and gone out (many times). The swimsuit cannot be letting the water go and keeping in the blood somehow.

Oh I agree, I think they possibly just hold blood long enough for it to be diluted then flushed out by the water you're swimming in, so it's not easily seen. That's just my theory! And once you're out of the water, they dry quickly and trap the blood so it's not going on your towel or clothes, like normal period knickers.

It is possible to have a garment keep water out completely, but I’ve only seen this on gear designed for kayaking or diving. These work with watertight seals around your wrists and neck, and ankles too for a full suit.

I’ve bought a pair of bikini knickers for my dd 12 as she’s due when we’re on hols, I’m intending on trialing them at the beach rather than the pool in case of any mishaps.
She likes to keep her periods to herself and but isn’t keen on doing laundry - so I’m hoping a cold rinse and then a stomp at the bottom of her shower while washing her hair might do the trick?

My 13 year old DD has some WUKA bikini bottoms that have worked v well in the sea - she hasn't used them in a pool yet. She only wore them for around 3 hours and then changed into the normal WUKA pants so guess you might need a couple of pairs for the whole day at the beach. Took them home to wash as usual and all good. It's great for her as she's not keen on trying tampons.

I find that no blood comes out of me when I'm submerged in water. It's only when out of water so when you exit the pool or sea, that's when you will find the benefit of them. I've been aware of this when I have a bath.

My dd has a wuka swimsuit that seems to work well. No idea how!

My daughter (age 10) uses the ModiBodi swimwear. Absolutely fantastic. You cannot tell they are 'period' swimwear. The gusset absorbs the blood while she's swimming and continues to absorb once out of the water. She's had no leakages/ spills /mishaps.

I was under the impression that you don't bleed period blood when in the wafer. I have baths on my period and don't bleed. That obviously might not be the case for everyone, it's lying around the pool that would be were they come in handy.

The whole 'no blood comes out when we are in the water' has been debunked a hundred times over studies.
I agree with pp. no way can you have something catching blood but not water unless it is hermetically sealed. And they are not. So they let water in to swish around and much of the blood is washed away but any blood left is held in and doesn't then run down your leg. Several people have said when it comes to washing them at the end of the day , there us very little blood. That's because it's in the sea!!

But that's not true for everyone. I no longer have baths when on my period because mine certainly does come out!

At the competitive swimming club my daughter attends most of the girls wear period pants under their swimsuits so they can still wear their club swimsuits.
They are an absolute godsend, they all rave about them and there's never been a single incident.
I believe they'd considered buying bikini bottoms but couldn't get them in the right size/colour, but the underwear has worked so well they haven't bothered looking again.

I’ve just bought a cheeky wipes swimsuit - we’re on hols soon and it’s bad timing! I can’t use tampons due to a bladder prolapse and the kids need supervision in the water - I’m going to give it a cautious go - and I like the idea of period bikini knickers as a back up! Will try that too.

God i have had a bath and turned the water pink.. how does that not happen to everyone? Anyway I just bought some WUKA swimwear to try on holiday, not sure if i am brave enough yet, they just have some extra padding in the gusset and are quite thick but otherwise look like normal pants.