To think you can't swim when you have a period?

[lostinmiddlemarch]

Just that. How can it possibly be done?

I couldn't, even with tampax super plus.

My periods are far too many heavy but I imagine women and girls with lighter periods wouldn't have a problem.

I couldn't either op, super plus tampon and a nighttime pad still doesn't contain it on bad days but I have lots of friends that do and that can't believe mine are as heavy as they are, so I guess it's different for everyone.

I don't have particularly heavy periods and I do swim with tampons. When I come out of the pool though the tampon is saturated with water, and v little blood. I gave birth via c-sec.

mooncup users - can you tell me about how they work on heavy days please? how often do you empty it? is it super messy? what do you do if at work and no private wash basin in cubicle? (imagining lady macbeth style carnage)

Self - I have crazy heavy periods and if I haven't got access to basin I either leave it in until I do or just empty it, wipe with tissue and put it back in. No hassle.

They're not like tampons with a 4hr limit etc.

Not with tampax but with lillets.
If I didn't for a week every month others would also be let down (I run hydro sessions).

And yes please don't 'free' flow in the pool. It's a myth about water flow stopping your periods. A noticeable contamination should require the pool cleaned. Yes that's what Chroline is there for but it can only handle so much.

And yes I do understand what it is like to have heavy periods. Even with meds I can only go 2 hours. I also find the warm water great for the cramps.

Tmi - before you go in the pool change your tampax (using tampax for generic term could be lillets or whatever).. Make sure the string is tucked in. Wipe with wipes for clean away stuff. Shower and get in the pool. Leave pool around 15 minutes before you would generally change. Change a fresh one and continue.

but don't they overflow/leak with a heavy day?

that was re mooncup to sirboob

I can't swim on my period either op. I used to be able to up to a couple of years ago but even with a super plus tampax it leaks in the bath. I just couldn't risk it in the pool which is a shame as I normally swim at least 3 times per week. I'm going to try lilets as recommended up thread.

"And obviously all the professional swimmers do wink"

I think many professional swimmers take contraception/hormones to avoid periods.
But, I agree, of course a normal swimmer can swim with a tampon.

I sometimes have to change my mooncup after an hour on a heavy day.

No problems changing in public toilets however, no need for a basin/water, I just remove, empty, wipe clean and reinsert.

No, as long as the suction is there (twist when inserted) they won't overflow.

'I just remove, empty, wipe clean and reinsert.'

I'm not getting this at all and finding it difficult to visualise as it were. how come you don't get blood on your fingers etc? it cant all just be in a neat little cup with no down flow as you remove it or can it?would you recommend them?

YABU. That's why God created tampons.

A mooncup will change your life!

Everyone has different periods that is why it is different for every person. I do swim occasionally when I have a period particularly if I'm on holiday and don't want to miss the opportunity. It's entirely up to you and how you feel comfortable. There isn't really any point in listening to other opinions who tell you should swim as they probably don't bleed as heavy as you.

Generally I can manage to remove without spillage, but even if I do get blood on my fingers, i can clean that with toilet roll and wash hands as normal in exactly the same way as i would a non applicator tampon.

I'd certainly recommend, I tend to flood rather than have a constant heavy/medium/lightflow and the mooncup is really good for this.

YANBU - at least in your and my case anyway.

if i swim on my period using a tampon, i find that when i remove the tampon after i swim, it has soaked up with water.
TMI there, sorry.
no effing way on earth would i go swimming with a tampon in, on my heaviest days. i have done so on my very lightest day but that's pretty rare.

I have been swimming when my period has been on for37 years now!

I wouldn't say I have exceptionally heavy periods, but when I was at university I went swimming with a tampon in and leaked bloody water when I got out of the pool. I haven't swum during my period since. It was embarrassing and disgusting.

I haven't got a bucket for a vagina either.

Actually, one of the best things about the mooncup for me is it gave me a real idea of just how heavy my periods were.

I'd thought for years that the reason I constantly had huge leakage accidents was I was just a bit crap at managing periods and as a teenager I'd read that you don't lose that much and it looks much more than it is. Once I had the mooncup I realised it was actually because my periods were much much heavier than normal.

Regular lillet tampon and I am fine for swimming

People who find the tampon gets wet, are you pushing it in far enough? It was only once I started using the applicator kind I realized how far up they need to be to be fully effective.

I find mooncup much less messy than tampons. You can easily remove with no spillage onto your hands. They're also so much more comfortable.