Many of us recognize that sense of dread that creeps in when your period arrives just before a pool party or beach day. You start to question whether or not you can show off that cute new bikini you bought, but before you start to spiral, know this: you can absolutely swim while on your period. It’s healthy, safe, completely normal, and could even help ease period pain and cramping. Just because your time of the month arrived at an inopportune time — we get it, having your period on vacation is usually not ideal — your plans to have fun in the sun don’t need to change.
While pads and panty liners don’t hold up too well underwater, tampons and menstrual cups are safe options for swimming. If you’re not used to or comfortable with this type of protection, period-proof swimwear is designed to absorb blood and prevent leaks. But it’s also okay to go without period protection when taking a dip (more on that below). So grab your swimsuit, beach towel, and SPF because here, Dr. Jacquelyn Means, OB/GYN with Plano Women’s Healthcare, explains everything you need to know about swimming while on your period.
Can you swim on your period without a tampon?
You can totally free-bleed. There are no serious health risks to swimming without period protection. If you’re nearing the end of your period or are experiencing a lighter flow, you’re probably fine swimming without any backup because there’s not too much blood flow. “Water pressure, in theory, prevents some of your menstrual flow from coming out of the vagina,” Dr. Means explains. But there still might be some blood spots or stains in your bottoms, she notes, so maybe don’t choose your all-time favorite suit for this swim.
But if you have a heavier flow or are worried about leakage, then you might want to use a tampon or menstrual cup, or opt for period-proof bottoms. “If you are mid-cycle or have a heavy flow, that will probably override the water pressure and menstrual flow could come out, particularly if you suddenly cough, sneeze, or laugh, which raises your vaginal pressure,” Dr. Means says.
What is the best period protection for swimming?
This is totally up to you, but Dr. Means suggests a menstrual cup. “Tampons may soak up some water at the outer tip and menstrual cups can often hold more volume than tampons,” she explains. But she recommends that if you’ve never used a menstrual cup before, try it out before diving in so you can make sure that it’s comfortable for you.
If you’re most comfortable with tampons, that’s completely fine — just don’t forget to swap it for a new one when you’re done swimming, since it’s probably absorbed some pool, ocean, or lake water.
Try These Period Products for Your Next Swim
Knix Teen Period Swim Twist High Rise Bikini Bottom
Modibodi Swimwear One-Shoulder One-Piece
Will period blood show up in water?
You may have heard the myth that your period stops in water. While that’s not true, the counter pressure of the water can prevent the blood from flowing outside of your body, which means that you probably won’t see any period blood show up in the waves.
“If it does occur, it’s probably a very small amount,” Dr. Means says. “Your swimsuit will likely absorb most of it.”
Can I get an infection while swimming on my period?
It’s highly unlikely, but again, Dr. Means suggests that you switch out your tampon or menstrual cup after you’re done swimming for the day. “The outer tip of the tampon likely absorbed some water and is best to be exchanged,” she explains. You don’t want to introduce any unwanted bacteria down there.
Leah Campano is an Associate Editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health, and politics. On the weekends, you can probably find her watching marathons of vintage Real Housewives episodes or searching for New York City’s best almond croissants.
