Swim on Your Period with a Pad
Want to go to that pool party everyone's going to this summer, but fear you can't because you'll be on your period? If you can, you'll be most comfortable swimming with a tampon or menstrual cup, instead of a pad. However, if you only have a pad at your disposal, it is technically possible to swim with one on. It's especially doable if you're just planning on hanging by the pool or wading in the water without getting your actual suit wet.
Steps
- Consider the alternatives. Swimming with a pad on isn't necessarily your best option. Pads are designed to absorb liquid, so they will absorb the pool water as well. If you can, use a tampon or a menstrual cup instead.
- If you don't use a tampon or menstrual cup, you may want to avoid getting your bottom suit wet. If you're at the beach, do some paddling and wading instead of going in all the way. If you're at the pool, consider sitting by the side with your legs in. If you want to go all the way in the water, your best bet is to use a tampon or a menstrual cup.
- Remove your pad. When you are ready to go swimming, take off your pad or liner that you are currently wearing.
- Put the pad onto your bathing suit bottom. Take it out of the wrapper and stick the back of it onto your bathing suit bottom. Make sure it's a thin one so that it doesn't bulge, and make sure you're wearing a suit that fits snugly to your body. If your pad gets wet, it won't be as sticky anymore, so wearing a tighter suit can help keep it in place.
- Pull up your bathing suit and put it on.
- Consider adding swimming shorts. This will help disguise any bulge from your wet pad, and if the material is dark, it will help hide any leakage as well.
- Enjoy your day at the pool! For maximum comfort and hygiene, just stick to paddling and water depths below your waist. If your pad does get wet, it will get soaked with water, so step out of the pool carefully and have a towel handy to cover up the signs of a wet pad.
Tips
- Wipe yourself well before you put on your pad.
- It doesn't matter if the pad is regular, super, or overnight, but the bigger you get, the more water the pad will collect. Therefore, it makes the pad more bulky.
- Don't worry if you normally need super or overnight pads during the day. Regular pads will still work for you.
- Getting wings with your pad will help keep it on your bathing suit and not float away.
- If you do not want to wear swimming pants, you can get a wider bathing suit bottom.
- You have about 15-35 minutes to change your pad after you get out of the water, depending on your flow.
- This works especially well when swimming in lakes, rivers, ponds, and oceans, but it still works with pools.
- If the store doesn't have Always Infinity, Always Radiant Infinity or Always Radiant Infinity Teen will also work, but other pads will not work.
- Water actually slows your period down, so you can wear a liner if you'd like. With a liner, you probably won't even need shorts!
- Try doing this in a bathtub before going in to a pool, especially if you are using a pad.
Warnings
- Do not do this if your flow is over-the-top heavy.
- Do not do this if your flow doesn't stop in the water.
- Your pad will get bulky when in water.
- Do not do this if you can use a tampon. Tampons are a lot cleaner, easier, and more worry-free.
Things You'll Need
- A thin pads with wings
- A bathing suit
- A pair of swimming shorts
