"A tampon will absorb the water from the lake, pool, or ocean while you are swimming, so it is important to change the tampon when you get out of the water," says Ho. "Otherwise, the tampon will be saturated and will not absorb the blood from your period."
How often should you change it? Change your tampon as soon as you're done swimming, or every 4 to 8 hours while you are swimming. A wet, used tampon can be a breeding ground for bacteria — which can lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS). You'll want to make sure you're being safe and mindful.
Use a tampon, sponge, or cup while swimming
If you can't or don't want to use a tampon or alternative product like a sponge or menstrual cup, you have a few options. If your flow is light, you can wear absorbent swimwear or a dark-colored suit to prevent stains.
As with swimming in general, it's okay to swim on your period without a tampon — or any menstrual product for that matter, says Dr. van Dis. If you want to prevent potential leaks or blood spots on your bottoms by using a period product, you have options.
Good news – yes, you can go swimming on your period! If it's a hot summer's day at the beach or you're swimming laps at your local pool and you've got your period, you shouldn't have to worry about leaving a trail of blood or being attacked by a shark in the ocean (a legitimate fear for some people!).
Most competitive swimmers and other swimmers rely on tampons when it comes to managing their periods while swimming. And according to a recent Knix study, they're the second most popular period product in general. Tampons have the advantage of being familiar.
But as frustrating as it can be to have your period coincide with your plans, there's no reliable way to stop your period for a single night after it's already started. You've probably come across all kinds of claims that doing this or taking that will stop your period on command.
After you put on your suit, make sure to tuck in the tampon string so that it doesn't show. If you're especially worried about the string showing, or if your bathing suit bottom is very small, try carefully trimming your tampon string a little shorter with a pair of nail clippers.
Tampons are a great option for women who swim or do other athletic activities. They're also less visible under clothing. Some women also prefer tampons because they're easier to carry and you don't feel them the same way you do pads.
If you use a tampon or cup, it's unlikely that any blood will touch the water. But even if you don't use any period products at all, not much blood will leave your body during the time you're in the water.
Over time, free bleeding also has a positive effect on the period itself. By menstruating without the use of strange prodcuts inside the body, menstruation is given back its naturalness. Less menstrual pain and a shortened menstrual period, for example, are health benefits of free bleeding.
It's entirely your choice. Some women prefer to double up on protection and pair their period swimwear with a disposable tampon or reusable menstrual cup as backup protection. This can especially give you confidence on your heaviest flow day or while you're getting used to depending on your period swimwear.
If you're planning to get into the bathtub or go swimming without using a tampon or menstrual cup, rest assured that there will be no red, bloody trail behind you, says Dr. Haughton. “Most women bleed only 60 milliliters (about three to four tablespoons) over five whole days,” says Dr. Haughton.
Why can I feel my tampon, then? The most likely reason is that you didn't push your tampon in far enough when you inserted it. Not to worry – simply use your finger to push it in a little further. If that doesn't fix it, just take it out and try again with a fresh one.
Is It Safe To Delay Your Period at All? So there's some good news here: You absolutely can delay your period—and do it in a safe way. But that can only be done with one specific hormonal birth control method: the combination pill (known commonly as just "the pill").
Take 2 tsp of lemon juice with a glass of water to postpone periods naturally.
You don't have to change any of your regular activities when you have your period. That includes exercise and swimming. There are many misconceptions about swimming during your period.
Swimming on your period with a pad is not advised. Pads are made out of absorbent material that soaks up liquids within seconds. Submerged in water like a pool, a pad will completely fill with water, leaving no room for it to absorb your menstrual fluid. Plus, it may swell up into a big soppy mess.
No. Drinking a shot of lemon juice won't delay your period or make it stop. Using a hormonal birth control method is the only way to lighten or control when you get your period: When taking a hormonal birth control method, like the pill, ring, and patch, you have the ability to skip your period.