You know how when you hop into a pool or wade into the ocean while at the beach during your period, if you’ve ever done it before, it kinda feels like the flow stops, almost as if you have a tampon in there? Am I delulu or is this a real science thing—does your period actually stop in water? Or is it just wishful thinking when you’re finally on that girls trip that made it out the group chat and don’t want to believe that you actually have it?
So to answer all these burning questions, we chatted with a doctor who specializes in all things menstrual cycles to find out what really goes on when water hits your period. If you’re heading out to a beach vacation soon, hopefully your period will stay home, but if she decides to tag along on the trip, you’ll be prepared thanks to all the info below.
Does your period stop in water?
Your period doesn’t stop in water, even if it feels that way, explains Natasha Ramsey, M.D., MPH, an adolescent medicine physician specializing in period management and advisory board member at the cycle tracking app Orchyd. "Your body is still releasing menstrual blood while you are underwater," she says, "however, the pressure from the buoyancy while your body is underwater slows the flow," explains Dr. Ramsey. So basically, you're not going to bleed as much while you're taking a dip, but you are 1,000% still bleeding and having a period.
Can you swim on your period without a tampon?
Yes, you definitely could do this—as in going free bleed—but we wouldn't necessarily recommend this since it's not necessarily the most considerate option, especially if you're at a public pool. If you're not feeling a tampon for whatever reason, that's totally fine! You can pick just about any other form of disposable or reusable menstrual product, like period swimwear, a menstrual disc, or a menstrual cup (more on those three below!). Just steer clear of wearing a pad or a panty liner in the pool or ocean since they fill with water and won't actually be able to absorb your period, explains Dr. Ramsey.
What are the best period products for swimming?
Low-absorbency tampons
"While you're swimming, tampons can absorb some of the water and other chemicals, so using a low-absorbency tampon and changing it more frequently helps reduce the risk of any irritation or discomfort," says Dr. Ramsey. If you're having a normal flow (as opposed to being on one of your heavy days), you also might want to go with a tampon geared toward lighter flow while you're swimming since your flow won't be as drastic.
Menstrual cups
A menstrual cup can stay in for 12 hours, and depending on the size (they usually come in about three), it can hold up to the equivalent of six tampons. It collects instead of absorbs the blood, and stays in place due to suction, so it won't fall out or take in any water while you swim, says Dr. Ramsey.
Menstrual discs
Discs are sort of the same deal as cups in that they're good for 12 hours and will collect, not absorb, your period. They're more shallow than the cups, and are engineered so you can keep them in during sex since they sit up higher at your cervix. They're also super convenient because they self-empty when you go to the bathroom.
Period swimwear
Your other option is period-friendly swimwear, says Dr. Ramsey. It's designed to be absorbent and help avoid leaks. Most period swimwear bottoms hold about two tampons' worth of blood (others can do a bit more!) and are designed for a variety of flows. If you're a period underwear stan, this might be strong option for you, especially if you're not into wearing any of the other options.
Your Period Swimming Essentials
DivaCup BPA-Free Reusable Menstrual Cup
Cora Menstrual Disc
The Honey Pot Regular Organic Cotton Tampons
Knix Leakproof Deep V One Piece Swimsuit
Whatever you use, make sure you change it frequently enough.
"Be sure to change your period products regularly, dry off after taking a dip, and change into dry clothes and cotton underwear as soon as possible," says Dr. Ramsey. Hanging around in a wet bathing suit, whether it’s a regular or period-friendly one, can cause a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis (which is just an imbalance of the bacteria in your vagina that can cause burning and itching), Dr. Ramsey adds, noting that you're also adding period blood and products to the mix, so that can increase the risk of infection too. "Yeast loves warm and moist environments [so does bacteria], and wearing a wet swimsuit for too long can cause yeast to overgrow." Of course you also shouldn't leave tampons, menstrual cups, or menstrual discs in for too long either—eight hours is generally the best cutoff.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Christen A. Johnson is the senior lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers health and wellness, home, sports, astrology, food, travel and more for print and digital. She also dabbles in culture writing, and wrote Cosmo's first-ever digital cover story. Before joining the magazine, Christen was a lifestyle features reporter at the Chicago Tribune. Several of her health and style stories made the paper's front page. When Christen isn't digging through antique stores, she's likely drooling over home renos on HGTV, sharing her latest therapy revelation, redoing old workouts from her college basketball days, or trying to perfect her homemade buttermilk biscuit recipe. Follow her on Insta for BTS ~ editor life ~ tingz!
