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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
awomensworkisneverdone · 20/05/2018 17:40

Isn’t it with most places though?
Swimming pool
Gym
Spa’s
Restaurants public toilets
Even a park bench?
It’s sad to live like that though.
But it has taught me to have a longer shower after our swim Grin

OP posts:
awomensworkisneverdone · 20/05/2018 17:42

I don’t understand where the hysteria over the water stopping period comes from.
It’s only been said that some posters experience no blood whilst in the bath. No one has said they believe they don’t bleed in a pool on their heavy period. Let’s just address that! It’s doing my head in!

OP posts:
emelsie · 20/05/2018 18:08

I don't pee in the pool and would wear a tampon if was swimming on my period , always feel bloated and gross so never go swimming at that time so never actually needed to. I don't condone it necessarily but I do find it a bit funny how hysterical people get over pee in a pool , like it's some new revelation, it's not something I would like to dwell on whilst swimming but I'm sure there is way worse around that we come into contact , poo on taps, on door handles , probably period blood all over toilet seats that has just been smeared away and not properly cleaned , urinated seats on public transport. I just try to make sure I always take care to be hygienic myself and clean up after swimming and before eating etc.

LemonysSnicket · 20/05/2018 18:19

I swim when I'm on my period. Whether in a tampon or not at all the water seals you so no blood comes into the water. I think your sister is rude and childish. Women bleed. Can we get over that now?

LemonysSnicket · 20/05/2018 18:20

Although I always wear a tampon and have never had it soak up the water!!

Fortheloveofscience · 20/05/2018 18:33

I don’t really get why OP is being told she’s so disgusting. On the last day of my period I literally do a few drops at most over the course of 24 hours. At any other time of the month women aren’t expected to wear tampons to prevent secretions getting into the water, so why is it any different if you’re on the last day of your cycle? I reckon as long as the inside of the crotch of your costume doesn’t show any signs of blood then you’ve not got a problem.

TellerTuesday4EVA · 20/05/2018 19:04

Why would have a bath with a tampon in???

awomensworkisneverdone · 20/05/2018 19:22

I have no idea why I’m disgusting either Confused I will not wear a tampon on my last day for anything!! Especially a drop of blood after day 4 I hardly see a drop! So would swim without one. I’m not hysterical over it like most. It’s bizarre to me.and a waste of a tampon Grin

OP posts:
awomensworkisneverdone · 20/05/2018 19:25

I don’t always but on heavy days I have to wear a tampon as when I stand up to get out I get a rush of blood most times tmi so apologies.its easy to say shower yourself down. But my problem is getting out I will easily bleed then down my leg on bath mat and floor. It’s not nice and I feel instantly dirty again. Wearing a tampon in the bath prevents all of the above

OP posts:
madeyemoodysmum · 20/05/2018 19:27

Yes if heavy flow always a tampon

Cannockcanring · 20/05/2018 19:29

Isn’t it with most places though?
Gym...
Restaurants public toilets
Even a park bench?
Calm down, It's a bit different, putting your clothed bum on a park bench or even naked on a loo seat, than swimming with your face in diluted menstrual fluids.
Few people leak so much that they leave stuff behind on park benches, we'd be able to see the stains.
Bleeding in a pool IS different from sitting on something that someone sales sat on in clithes, and everyone surely should do their best not to dribble anything in their wake, anywhere (I'm sure someone's going to appear and say it's free bleeding and a feminist issue, but I just don't get it, it's just making a mess and a bit selfish, imo).

somefolkaresoentiteled · 20/05/2018 19:43

Dear god, you swim without a tampon on your last few days? That's disgusting. What age are you? Surely you know to wear a tampon when swimming.

specialsubject · 20/05/2018 19:54

yep, dirty skank central as always on these threads. puts you right off swimming pools, doesnt it?

ferrier · 20/05/2018 19:59

Should I wear a tampon to stop any vaginal discharge contaminating the pool? What about sweat?

specialsubject · 20/05/2018 20:00

shower first, obviously. only the dirty dont do that.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 20/05/2018 20:02

Yep, there's a reason I don't swim in public pools anymore as witnessed by this thread.

blaaake · 20/05/2018 20:03

Can't cope with people trying to justify this. How would you feel if I shat in the pool?

awomensworkisneverdone · 20/05/2018 20:17

Another who doesn’t read the opening post. Few days? No I said last day.
Bleed? No... again. I said a speck. Again il say. Iv never swam whilst bleeding lol! Please read thread

OP posts:
awomensworkisneverdone · 20/05/2018 20:18

Oh well.. more pool space for me Grin

OP posts:
awomensworkisneverdone · 20/05/2018 20:19

And il repeat. Do I pee in the pool?
Nope not me. But I don’t cry over it.

OP posts:
blaaake · 20/05/2018 20:20

So you don't care about potentially swallowing someone's piss/menstrual fluids? Right. Well, just because you're a skank doesn't mean everyone else is.

GoldenGumballs · 20/05/2018 20:23

This is gross I can’t cope either! Take responsibility for your own bodily fluids and don’t share them around. Urine is NOT sterile. If you are still bleeding wear a cocking tampon if you are not bleeding then you have finished your period.

Fortheloveofscience · 20/05/2018 20:33

So, I assume that everyone who thinks OP is disgusting would never venture into a pool without a tampon or cup at any time of the month? Vaginas secrete fluid. Water gets inside it, and then washes out into the pool every time any woman goes swimming. The fact that for one day a month this might contain a drop of blood is hardly a reason to clutch pearls in horror The extent of the internalised disgust at periods being displayed by women is actually quite worrying.

And FWIW, I don’t go in public pools. But it’s not in case someone’s accidentally let out a drop of blood, but because I don’t like that the top couple of inches is mostly skin cells and oil!

GoldenGumballs · 20/05/2018 20:41

Science that’s just daft we can’t plug all our holes while swimming, we can however easily prevent the mucous & blood lining from our uterus entering a public space. It’s not demeaning women don’t turn it into something it’s not. It’s basic hygiene.

awomensworkisneverdone · 20/05/2018 21:25

Skank, very mature but regarding your post I can honestly say Iv never swallowed any blood clots in the pool as we tend to swim and play rather than drink the water.
But each to thier own I guess

OP posts: