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Original poster

To swim whilst menstruating?

308 replies

awomensworkisneverdone · 20/05/2018 09:42

So funny light hearted conversation with sister and friend Friday and totally random.
I swim every Friday evening with my other half and my dc.
My sister told me it was vile for me to swim whilst bleeding. My friend disagrees and said it fine.
I did go swimming as my period was pretty much over (day 5). Would I swim whilst heavy? I would say no I wouldn’t. Would you?
Sister says it’s not fair on others swimming and friend says she’s wouldn’t care. Are there actually any rules about it? Would you? Would a tamping be suitable if you did want to swim? I’m not sure about others but if I bath whilst using a tampon it will eventually fill up with water and expand rapidly! Confused or is it just me?? Would you swim during your period?

OP posts:
TooFewHands · 21/05/2018 21:05

As a nurse, I see the amount of over 60s losing control of their bladder and bowels and needing pads daily. It's the vast majority of them. So I'd be more worried about wet poo swimming towards me than last day period blood.

Eveforever · 21/05/2018 21:10

SeasonedMummy I still prefer using tampons or a mooncup over towels, but it useful to know I still need to look out for TSS symptoms. I think I am right in thinking that in reality you really only risk TSS if you leave a tampon (or mooncup) for an extended period, but I'm open to being corrected.

Souplover · 21/05/2018 21:14

To not use a tampon when you are swimming in a public pool is disgusting, even if it's at the end of your period. Why would anyone think this is acceptable?

Sissyjd · 21/05/2018 21:23

Just use a tampon ffs, unless you're loosing heavy,but guess you may not feel like it then (Not sure as never experienced it..Mirena user) and just get on with it!!

ElderflowerWaterIsDelish · 21/05/2018 21:28

That is gross, even if your flow is almost over there would still be pool water touching your vagina and washing specks of blood into the pool, that is so disgusting ...your sister is right...put it this way would you sit in a tub of bathwater that someone near the end of their flow had been soaking in?..then why should others have to swim in pool water you have contaminated...

Wear a tampon...if it falls out use a larger size...

Wear a menstrual cup

Wear a menstrual sponge

Or wait until your period is over and then go swimming

Darkstarrheart · 21/05/2018 21:33

QueenCity

Hi, just in case you aren't aware Boots sell pills that can delay your period, your doctor can also prescribe them Smile

cherish123 · 21/05/2018 21:46

It's fine if you are wearing a tampon. However, not ok if you are not.

bananafish81 · 21/05/2018 21:48

Some diseases are spread through blood and, although it is certainly at least as equally disgusting, I believe people who are saying that fresh urine is sterile are correct, so yes, menstrual blood may be more of a concern compared to some other fluids. I also said that, although other bodily fluids and hygiene issues can effect pool goers too, it doesn't mean you shouldn't make an attempt to be as hygienic as possible when dealing with your own hygiene and period. I feel the question should be why would you risk your menstrual blood getting into the pool if you can pop in a tampon or mooncup for the duration of your swim?

I didn't mention urine. I asked why cervical mucus was deemed to be OK (given no one seems to be clamouring for women to use a tampon during any days where they experience normal cervical fluid), but endometrial mucus is absolutely not. I would prefer not to swim on a day with very very light spotting, than to shove a tampon into a completely dry vagina, which is very uncomfortable.

Why aren't people clamouring for women to use a tampon when they're ovulating? Cervical fluid is generated in the womb, that's why you can see it on a pelvic ultrasound pre ovulation as an echogenic stripe. If a few droplets of fluid from the womb require a tampon for hygiene at the end of the menstrual period, why doesn't much heavier flow of fluid from the womb in the run up to ovulation require a tampon for hygiene also?

I'm not saying people shouldn't be considerate about hygiene and take appropriate measures. I'm trying to understand why these measures aren't required at other times during the cycle as well.

bananafish81 · 21/05/2018 21:50

To not use a tampon when you are swimming in a public pool is disgusting, even if it's at the end of your period. Why would anyone think this is acceptable?

Do you think it's disgusting for women not to wear a tampon if they swim mid cycle as well, near the time of ovulation?

Bleeding is one thing, but spotting when you wipe that doesn't even need a liner?

Original poster
awomensworkisneverdone · 21/05/2018 22:07

Banana your wasting your time lol! I gave up responding. I see it as people see blood more disgusting than cervical mucus (for whatever reason) can you prevent cervical discharge? With a tampon? Yes but that’s incredibly silly and dangerous!
Would I use a tampon for spotting? No it’s too uncomfortable.. but i wouldn’t stop it taking my children to the pool on our Friday swim evening.. interesting thread though. And I did actually learn a lot (moon cups Smile)

OP posts:
nannykatherine · 21/05/2018 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Eveforever · 21/05/2018 22:17

bananfish81 I mentioned urine because other posts had brought it up. I don't know if vaginal discharge has in reality less health risks than menstrual blood, although some diseases are blood borne, so I would suspect blood is of greater concern health wise. I do know that we have tampons and menstrual cups to deal with periods, so, as we have products that deal with menstrual blood, I do expect people to use them. Personally I have used tampons and a mooncup to deal with discharge on occasion in order to feel clean and fresh, but I know they are not designed for this purpose. If there were specific products I could use in the pool for discharge, I would probably use them. Again, just because there are other bodily fluids etc that might get in the pool, doesn't mean that it is okay to not take preventative measures when we can. If you have a cut, I expect you to wear a plaster, if you have a verruca, I expect you to cover it and if you have your period, I expect you to use a tampon or menstrual cup.

WhataLovelyPear · 21/05/2018 22:21

Banana, I'm with you on this one, and OP - I wouldn't bother with a tampon in the pool if the flow is so light you don't even need a panty liner.

If there's one thing this thread has made blindingly obvious it's that we're all different! Some of us have heavy flow and some of us have light flow and some us have what we think is a heavy period but then it turns out that that would be light for the next woman, and so on. Some of us get water up inside while swimming and the ones that don't might think there must be something wrong - but maybe there isn't? Maybe some vaginas let water in and some don't - maybe it just depends on how vigorously you swim!

My own menstrual cycle has changed so much over the years, I don't think there's a "normal": there are lots of normals - we should leave it to people's judgment as to how much flow requires absorption. If you can't bear the thought of sharing other people's biological matter you really need to to get out of the pool (and don't forget to wear a face mask on the tube - apparently that rushing wind after the train is full of hairs and skin cells and who knows what (and not just from people either)).

WhataLovelyPear · 21/05/2018 22:25

Cross posted with you there, Banana - I meant with you on there not being much difference between end of period discharge and mid cycle discharge. I wouldn't bother with a tampon for either, though. I can't help thinking OP's little speck won't make it through the double gusset of her costume.

Furano · 21/05/2018 22:28

People piss in the pool all the time

A tiny bit of blood isn’t any worse.

But yeah. Use a tampon.

Eveforever · 21/05/2018 22:29

awomensworkisneverdone you now know that some people find what you are doing is rather gross and unhygienic, and you now know that you can use a menstrual cup as well as a tampon to deal with your period. However, instead of considering using any of the readily available products you'd rather laugh at people. I find the fact that you won't consider taking other people's views into consideration baffling given that you could easily take some simple steps to be more hygienic and considerate.

Lifeiscrazy · 21/05/2018 22:30

Jeez... your sister is still living in the dark ages! Of course you can swim.. wear a tampon but the flow generally stops when you’re in water anyway. Tell her to stop being such a prude!

Voice0fReason · 21/05/2018 22:35

Iv also heard whilst In the water the flow will stop.
That's a myth. Most of the time when you are swimming you are horizontal, you also don't notice the blood that float away. When you get out of the water gravity takes over.

I don’t use anything. It’s fine. Cold water stops blood.
It's not fine. Cold water (where are you swimming that's cold?) does not stop your period.

Please don't swim without a tampon or mooncup, it's gross. Your period blood is being washed around the pool all the time you are in the water. If you're just spotting then that's not really your period is it.
It really doesn't matter if the tampon gets some extra water, just change it when you get out.
Or use a mooncup!

Rach5l · 22/05/2018 00:22

Think of all the poo crumbs 🤮
I don't think it's socially acceptable to swim without a tampon on any day of your period but you obviously do and won't be told otherwise (why did you start the thread?!?)
Where I used to live had no water supply & everyone went for a poo & piss in the sea first thing 🤷‍♀️

Puffycat · 22/05/2018 00:30

Can’t believe this one has run so long!
Tampon job done.

triangle4321 · 22/05/2018 00:34

Think about it... If the tampon is filling with water, which it will because your vagina isn't sealed, then on any given day the swimming pool water will excuse me slosh in and out all the time.

Yes go swimming. Yes wear a tampon or mooncup if your menstruating. But can people please stop saying it's fucking gross. If you swim in a public pool there will be all sorts in the water. Hence the chemicals.

DixieFlatline · 22/05/2018 00:40

There is definitely far worse than someone's homeopathic-concentration menstrual blood in your average swimming pool. And to think how much of the water I would swallow just for fun when I was younger! Shock Envy

strawberrisc · 22/05/2018 06:38

Menstruating! All very “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret!”

Lifeiscrazy · 22/05/2018 06:55

I really hope I don’t offend anyone here....but So many people on this thread have said about not swimming in your period... I really cant believe this is the attitude these days... Do you also think that women shouldn’t do any sport... or women should cover up from head to toe to ‘protect our modesty’.. do you think a ‘woman’s place is in the kitchen’ etc etc!
crikey.. this is the UK in 2018! maybe use a tampon but definitely go swimming! Don’t let these naysayers (who obviously never do anything) stop you!
Anyway.. here’s a useful article about alternative to tampon wear!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/m.wikihow.com/Swim-on-Your-Period-Without-a-Tampon%3famp=1

GoldenGumballs · 22/05/2018 07:17

Nobody has suggested NOT swimming or doing sports while on their period!!!