To swim whilst menstruating?

[awomensworkisneverdone]

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! or is it just me?? Would you swim during your period?

"So female athlete swimmers don't train during their periods?!"

I suspect a lot of them take pills to control/avoid periods.

Yes, I swim when I’m on my period and every woman I know does. Just use a tampon.

If your sister went on holiday, would she just not go swimming if she was on her period? Seems like a waste of a potentially fun time swimming.

I have heavy periods. No way could I swim during them, even with a tampon. I have had holidays where I've been unable to go into the pool for several days.

Seems to me that what you're really asking is:

AIBU to swim in a public pool without sanitary protection when menstruating?

Which is a v different question!

What is it that your sister thinks is vile? I don't understand.

Of course people swim throughout their periods, wearing tampons. I've never thought about it at all.

I hazily remember some people trying to get of school PE lessons because of their period. I thought it was because they had bad cramps. Or maybe they used towels and didn't want to have the obligatory shower afterwards.

• Seems to me that what you're really asking is:

AIBU to swim in a public pool without sanitary protection when menstruating?*

Agreed - and yes, it's very unreasonable, even on the last day of your period. It's grim. Swim on your period; fine, but use adequate protection.

I think what she's asking is 'AIBU to swim in a public pool with sanitary protection when menstruating?'

I think her sister's use of the term 'while bleeding' is hyperbolic and just means 'during her period'.

Is it really unreasonable to swim on the last day tho? I don’t wear tampons on last day as there is no need to absorb a speck it’s alao dangerous to wear tampons unnecessarily isn’t it??
Really ?

Not only that a dry tampon is agony to pull out sometimes

it’s alao dangerous to wear tampons unnecessarily isn’t it??

Absolutely. All the literature says “use minimum absorbency for your needs”.

If you’re using the lightest absorbency possible and it’s coming out dry then it’s foolish to wear a tampon.

YANBU to swim with a tampon in whilst menstruating

YABVVVVVVVVVVU and disgusting to swim without a tampon whilst menstruating

I swim while menstruating, heavy or otherwise..it's not a problem at all...fresh tampon just before entering the pool, fresh one as soon as you leave. Never had a leak or a problem. I'm off on holiday soon..due to perimenopause altering the timing of my cycle I will be menstruating for half of my holiday. I will not miss out on using the pool because of this, that would be silly.

I’ve been swimming a few times towards the end of my period, simply used a tampon. I always use a tampon in the bath when I’m on my period. I’d rather not bath or swim in my own blood

You're unreasonable to be swimming when you have blood flow, yes. I can't believe you would even contemplate doing this.

Obviously it would be fine with sanitary protection.

So what do you usually do when a heavy flow day coincides with a swimming day OP?

I don’t wear tampons on last day as there is no need to absorb a speck

If it's the last day of your period, you're still bleeding. If you're not bleeding, it's the day after the last day of your period.

As a rule of thumb, if you're not bleeding (so finished your period) then let your fanny flag fly. If you are still bleeding (even a little bit), then please don't inflict potential blood clots and discharge onto the faces of other pool users. Wear a tampon - if won't be painfully dry, you've already disclosed the fact that you retain water.

Is there something a bit faux-naïve about this thread? Obviously, swim with a tampon in.

"I don’t use anything. It’s fine. Cold water stops blood."

WTF.

I swim using a tampon/mooncup, unless very light in which case I’d go without. I also pee whilst swimming if I’m training/racing and need to go.

Wouldn’t go if bleeging heavy. Already said on opening post

I’m confused as to why anyone would use a tampon in the bath? 🤔 surely you’d just shower instead or, if you really want a bath, just rinse yourself off with the shower head after? It’s not like you get blood gushing out in the bath! Don’t know about cold water stopping the flow, but (in my experience) hot water definitely does.

I don't care how much someone is bleeding in the pool to go on without either a tampon or mooncup is just disgusting. If you wouldn't go in the pool with a bleeding toe without a water proof plaster don't go in the pool while menstruating. Its really that simple.

"Don’t know about cold water stopping the flow, but (in my experience) hot water definitely does."

How on earth does hot or cold water stop the flow of blood? Please explain using science.

Jesus no.

Everyone kept telling me I was silly not to and when I finally did had blood running down my legs when I got out. I doubt I'll ever feel as mortified as I did then.