Is it safe to go swimming with a tampon? The simple answer is, YES! Many girls and women can remember a hot day when everyone else jumped in the water without them. They didn’t have their periods! Remember being afraid that everyone would find out? Leaving a trail of bodily fluids in the pool, lake, ocean, etc., can make one greatly concerned, and rightly so. Now, how do you protect yourself against that potential nightmare on a day that should be filled with FUN?
The Truth About Menstruating in Water
Menstruation is a normal monthly process in women. It is the shedding of blood and tissue of the uterus lining. During this cycle, fluids build-up within the women’s body in preparation for pregnancies. Women normally have these periods until menopause; yet another stage in women’s lives concerning aging.
When a woman has her period and gets in water, the shedding of blood and tissue actually continues. However, the flow of these fluids through the cervix and out of the vagina stops. This phenomenon is due to water pressure. It will occur in pools, lakes, rivers, oceans and even whilst in the tub. Please note, however, that if the woman laughs, coughs or hiccups, or the like, there may be some flow of fluids anyway. These jerky motions act to force fluids out. Don’t despair. It may be so small as to not leave a trail. Thank goodness!
Is it Safe to Go Swimming With a Tampon?
With the women’s body’s natural response of ceasing the flow of fluids while submerged in water, tampons act as backup. Because there may be a slight seepage of blood, the tampon will block most of that from penetrating the water. Now, if there is leakage in the water, the chlorine of a pool, or the cleansing effect of salt in oceans will assist in neutralizing any harmful effects. Let’s face it, swimmers must always be mindful of the fact that there are other bodily fluids in a swimmer’s water – regularly, i.e., sweat, dirt, other excretions, etc. Therefore, it is recommended to apply a fresh tampon before a swim and to quickly change it directly afterwards. The period flow will begin again once the female is out of the water.
Are There Other Options?
Another option is that women can wear bathing suits that have a thick pantyliner. These are not as absorbent as sanitary napkins and should not be used as such. Though, with the stoppage of fluid factor in water, they can be helpful in cases of possible leakage.
How Long Can You Stay in the Water?
Swimming females using tampons do have to pay attention to their time in the water as well. This isn’t because of any toxic or other harmful issues. It has to do with water absorption. Many tampon brands are made of tightly woven cotton and rayon. These materials, when wet, become heavy, dense and expand. This condition can be uncomfortable for the user and the weight of this material can force it to fall out. Therefore, it is advised, when swimming for more than a couple of hours, to exit the water and change tampons often. Don’t assume everything is fine. This is not a set-it-and-forget-it situation. Swimmers should always check regularly to see that the tampon is still in place and that there isn’t any leakage or stains in swimwear. Everyone is different, so use every hour as a marker.
So… Is it safe to go swimming with a tampon?
Swimfolk does not recommend using tampons made of synthetic materials with polyester foam and cellulose gum. They have been associated with cases of toxic-shock syndrome, rashes and inflammation. Click Here for reference. Organic options will serve you much better. Read the labels carefully.
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