Does Your Period Stop When You Swim?

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Navya Mysore and updated on June 18, 2024

There’s a bit of an urban (or perhaps internet) myth that you don’t need to worry about period protection in the water because your period stops when you’re submerged in water, i.e. baths, swimming pools, or ocean swimming. 

Wouldn’t that be lovely if it were the case?! Unfortunately, this is not the case. Your menstrual flow does not stop when you are submerged in water.

So why do people think it does? Let’s dive in!

Does Your Period Stop in Water? Maybe a Little… but Not Completely

Okay, so here’s where the idea that your period stops in water probably emerged:

When you are submerged in water, the pressure of the water may lessen your flow. If you have a light flow to begin with, this may create an impression that the bleeding has stopped.

However, if your body were to exert greater pressure (for example, if you laugh, sneeze or cough),this can surpass water pressure and you may notice some bleeding in the water.

Your menstrual flow may decrease a little while in the water. But this is not reliable enough to completely forgo period protection while in water (especially when in the same body of water with other people).

Whether you want to wear protection in the bathtub is entirely up to you and mostly boils down to whether you’re squeamish about the possible sight of your own blood. If you do wear a tampon in the bathtub, be sure to change it immediately after, as bathwater is not the cleanest after a long soak.

Suffice to say you’ll want to wear some period protection while you’re swimming. So what are your options?

You Can Use a Tampon, Sponge, or Menstrual Cup While Swimming

Good news: There are period products that provide protection while swimming on your period. Indeed, you probably have more choices than you even realize.

Tampons Are an Obvious Choice

According to a recent Knix study, tampons are the second most popular menstruation product and were used by 32.6% of respondents. 

This probably means they’re the first product you think of when you consider swimming on your period. And indeed, they are an effective solution.

However, for many women, tampons are not an ideal solution. Common reasons some women dislike tampons include:

• Comfort: Some women find tampons uncomfortable to insert and/or wear
• Negative environmental impact: A person who menstruates throws away roughly 400 pounds of packaging from pads and tampons in their lifetime. (Greater London Authority, 2018)
• Cost: Tampons can be expensive for some.
• Possible health concerns: Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare bacterial infection associated with tampon use. 

Can You Swim on Your Period Without a Tampon? Yes, You Can Try Menstrual Cups

If you’d prefer to swim without a tampon, there are other menstrual products that can be used when swimming. Menstrual cups are one option.

A menstrual cup is made of silicone or latex rubber and is designed to catch and collect your blood (rather than absorb menstrual blood like a tampon.) The cup is folded and inserted into the vagina (similar to inserting a diaphragm.) It then opens to form a seal against the wall of your vagina to prevent leaks. The blood then collects in the cup.

Different brands of cups come in different shapes, so it can be worth trying a few to find the one that’s most comfortable for you. Like a tampon, you shouldn’t feel a cup once it’s inserted. Menstrual cup use can be combined with leakproof swimwear.

Menstrual cups are typically reusable. You remove them by pinching the base and pulling, which will release the seal. Then you empty the cup into the toilet, wash it (and your hands) carefully with soap and water, and reinsert it. At the end of your menstrual cycle, once your period has ended, it’s advisable to sterilize your cup in boiling water.

Note: Pads Are Not Designed for Swimming

According to our aforementioned study, menstrual pads are by far the most popular period product. Indeed, 54.6% of our survey respondents said this is their go-to period product. However, bad news for fans of disposable pads: They do not perform so well in water.

This is because pads are designed to absorb any liquid they come in touch with, so once they hit the water, they will become saturated quickly. Their adhesive strips may lose their adhesion in the water. And if it’s the kind of pad with ‘wings,’ those will be visible outside your swimsuit. 

If you bleed and your pad is saturated with water, your blood will have nowhere to go; it will just mix with the water, and if you have a heavy flow you may notice in the blood trailing in the water.

So, overall, we would advise steering away pads when you’re swimming. But good news: There is another solution we haven’t discussed yet!

Our Recommendation? Try Leakproof Swimwear

Period (or leakproof) swimwear is a superb option for backing up your period products when swimming.

You Can Use Leakproof Swimwear on Its Own or With a Tampon or Cup

It’s worth noting that no period product is completely leakproof (this includes tampons.) They all have different absorbency rates. We recommend using period swimwear as a backup to a menstrual cup or other menstrual product 

Let’s Address Some Common Concerns

Swimwear and period protection aren’t the only concerns that people express about swimming during their period. Let’s look at some of the most common concerns below.

1. Is it Unsanitary for You?

Periods were often historically portrayed as ‘unclean’ and some of that stigma sadly still hangs around. You are not dirty because you’re menstruating. You also don’t need to be isolated from others. 

The only health caution we would advise when swimming in the water is if you use a period product (tampons, in particular) to change it once you are out of the water. Tampons, in particular, can absorb some water in addition to blood, and it is possible that the water can be contaminated with bacteria. If you plan to go back into the water, we would suggest to change out your tampon when you first come out of the water so you have a new one in place for when you re-enter the water.

Similarly, if you wear leak proof swimwear, be sure wash it after every swim, just as you would regular swimwear

Related: Why do I leak water after swimming?

2. Is it Unsanitary for Other People in the Water?

Swimming pools have all kinds of chemicals to keep the water safe to swim but this doesn't mean you should not wear any period protection when getting into the pool.

If you’re in the ocean, there are so many different organisms floating around that you do not need to worry about a little period blood getting into the water.

The Benefits of Swimming on Your Period 

The benefits of swimming during your period (and of exercise in general) far outweigh any of these fears. Those benefits include:

• Improve mood, thanks to the release of endorphins
• Reduced pain from menstrual cramps (aka period cramps and other period pain)
• General health and wellbeing
• Fun!

So, seriously, don’t let your period stand in the way of you and the beach or pool. Just dive in!

Sources:

https://knix.com/pages/report-menstruation-leaks-in-2022

https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/plastics_unflushables_-_submited_evidence.pdf

https://knix.com/blogs/resources/how-to-swim-on-your-period-with-a-pad

https://knix.com/blogs/resources/exercise-during-period-benefits-myths

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We hope you found this post informative—but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.