Swimming during menstruation requires protection, but standard external pads are unsuitable for water activities. Pads are designed to absorb fluid outside the body, which presents a fundamental challenge when submerged. This design makes them ineffective, requiring alternative strategies for confident swimming. Reliable solutions involve internal collection methods or specialized barrier apparel. Understanding why a pad fails in water helps in choosing a reliable product for full participation in aquatic activities.
Why Pads Are Not Designed for Water
Menstrual pads use an absorbent core containing super-absorbent polymers (SAPs), typically sodium polyacrylate. This polymer rapidly absorbs aqueous fluids, binding them into a gel-like substance to prevent leakage. When submerged, the SAP cannot distinguish between menstrual fluid and the surrounding water. The pad quickly saturates with external water, swelling significantly and becoming bulky and heavy. This saturation renders the pad completely ineffective, as it loses its capacity to absorb menstrual flow. Furthermore, the adhesive backing, engineered for dry fabric, instantly fails in water, causing the product to shift, bunch up, or come loose.
Reliable Menstrual Protection Options for Swimming
Internal collection devices are the most robust option for swimming, creating a seal that prevents menstrual fluid from exiting and external water from entering. The menstrual cup is a flexible, bell-shaped device made of medical-grade silicone. It is inserted to collect fluid, forming a vacuum seal against the vaginal walls. Cups offer high capacity, often holding up to 30 milliliters.
Menstrual discs also collect fluid but sit higher, utilizing the pubic bone for placement without a suction seal. Discs offer greater capacity, sometimes holding up to 70 milliliters, and can be worn for up to 12 hours. Both cups and discs eliminate the issue of a visible string and do not absorb external water, avoiding the discomfort of a waterlogged product.
Tampons are a widely available internal option, but they function by absorption, meaning they will soak up water from the pool or ocean. This absorption reduces their capacity for menstrual fluid and can cause them to feel heavy and uncomfortable upon exiting the water. To minimize this effect, insert a new tampon just before swimming and change it immediately after leaving the water.
Specialized period swimwear offers an external barrier solution, featuring a multi-layered, absorbent gusset built into the swimsuit. These products often have a water-repellent outer layer to minimize saturation while the inner layer absorbs menstrual flow. Period swimwear is best suited for light flow days or as a secondary safeguard worn over a tampon or cup. Their absorbency is limited, usually equivalent to about two tampons’ worth of fluid, making them less reliable as a primary defense for moderate or heavy flow.
Practical Tips for Swimming During Menstruation
Using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help manage flow. These medications inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which are responsible for uterine contractions. Taking a dose before or at the start of a heavy flow day can modestly reduce the volume of menstrual blood loss by approximately 10 to 30 percent.
The external pressure of the water temporarily slows the rate of flow, though it does not stop the period entirely. For maximum protection, insert a clean internal product immediately before entering the water and remove it promptly afterward. Avoid wearing a wet swimsuit for an extended period, as the warm, moist environment can contribute to skin irritation.
A common concern regarding ocean swimming is the belief that menstrual blood attracts sharks. Scientific evidence shows that the minimal amount of fluid released into the vast ocean is highly diluted and is not a risk factor for shark bites. Sharks are not attuned to human blood, and the trace amounts released are not distinguishable from background chemical signals in the water.
For managing used disposable products in a public setting, discreet disposal is achieved by wrapping the used tampon or applicator in toilet paper or a small disposal bag. Place the wrapped item in the designated sanitary bin inside the stall or a trash receptacle outside. Flushing tampons or applicators is strongly discouraged, as they are not biodegradable and can cause significant plumbing issues.