Worried about swimming during your period? From safety tips to shark facts, here’s everything you need to know about enjoying the pool or beach during your menstrual cycle.
Ahh, the old myth “you shouldn’t swim on your period” — most of us have heard it at some point. But it’s just that: a myth! There’s absolutely no medical reason you can’t go swimming during your period. In fact, research suggests it can help lessen period pain! Even so, it’s totally normal to have questions about how it all works.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about swimming during your period, from which period products work best to whether sharks can actually smell period blood (spoiler alert: you’re going to be just fine!).
Is swimming on your period safe?
100% yes! Water doesn’t generally enter your vagina while you’re swimming, regardless of whether you’re on your period. Not only is swimming during your period completely safe – it could help you feel better.
Aerobic exercise helps release endorphins, your body’s natural pain relievers. Additionally, many women find that water pressure and gentle movement help ease their period cramps. Studies have also found that water exercises like swimming are especially helpful in relieving period pain and menstrual cramps.
What type of period products should you wear while swimming?
While Pinkie’s slim, ultra-absorbent pads are perfect for everyday period protection — pads generally aren’t your best friend in the water. The highly absorbent materials that make them so effective for daily wear will quickly collect pool or ocean water, prompting them to become bulky and potentially slip off your swimsuit lining. Instead, tampons or menstrual cups are often better options when swimming.
If you choose tampons, consider going for a higher absorbency option since some water might get absorbed. Just remember to swap out your tampon for a new one every 4-8 hours. It’s easy to forget about changing your tampons when you’re in the water, but toxic shock syndrome is still a risk – so set a timer if you need to! For menstrual cups, empty and rinse them every 4-8 hours.
Can period blood attract sharks?
It’s an understandable question, given the whole “sharks can smell a drop of blood from a quarter mile away” factoid. But here’s the thing: menstrual blood isn’t just blood. It’s mixed with a bunch of other fluids and mucus secretions from your uterus that dilute the blood scent. Plus, sharks are less interested in the smell of blood and more interested in specific amino acids found in the blood of their favorite food source: fish.
Even in the very unlikely event a shark detected your period blood, experts say they probably wouldn’t recognize it as food. In other words — there’s no need to worry about shark attacks! But if you’re still feeling nervous, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to the swimming pool until your period is over.
Pro tip – bring extra water to stay hydrated!
Swimming can be tricky because being surrounded by so much water can make it easy to forget to rehydrate! During your period, staying hydrated is extra important.
It helps:
✓ Replace fluids lost during your period
✓ Reduce bloating and water retention
✓ Decrease menstrual pain
✓ Prevent headaches
When you’re done in the water, change into fresh, dry clothes and a new Pinkie Pad. Our ultra-thin, leak-proof organic pads are perfect for post-swim protection and come in convenient, chic pouches that are the perfect addition to keep tucked away in your beach bag!
