Can You Swim On Your Period?

[@gtn]

Did you find this video helpful? What topics do you want to see us cover at GTN? Let us know 👇

[@stem_cell_nutrition]

Great topic thanks! Just think it's important to add that we should shower before swimming.. always, not just around period time

[@shil1942]

Thanks for this, GTN! Great to see some female-focused content. Other interesting topics might include the extent to which you can continue training while pregnant.

[@keniamadrigal1798]

Very helpful, I can tell I feel in better mood after every training session and when on my period I just don't want to miss the feeling/benefit. I usually wear tampons, I will have to check on the swimwear.

[@heatherfell_oly]

@@shil1942 Yes I agree, another interesting topic we need to go into.

[@jamiefuhrman403]

Could we flip the table and talk about Red-S in male athletes?

[@eagleironic5815]

Kudos GTN for covering this topic, and facilitating a conversation and support around it!

[@gtn]

No problem 🙌

[@heatherfell_oly]

Thanks, let's hope it opens the topic for more to access important info.

[@1jennifer]

Love love love that they are covering this topic! Thank you so much, Heather.

[@nathanjones5016]

Thank you for this video. As the father of daughters who enjoy swimming I wish to not only learn more but also learn how I can reduce the potential for anxiety and encourage ongoing sports participation throughout their lives. Much appreciated GTN team and Heather Fell in particular here

[@heatherfell_oly]

Hi Nathan, thank you for watching this and sharing your comment. I hope it helps.

[@hurricane7800]

Thanks for covering this! I also was in the boat of “what do you mean you’re skipping games??” My biggest tip (and this is a hill I am willing to die on) for other athletes who need them is to try menstrual cups. They are everything great about tampons plus comfortable, easier on the wallet over the long term, more discreet… If they don’t work for you that’s ok, but if you aren’t sure and haven’t tried them yet, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

[@heatherfell_oly]

Thank you for sharing that, maybe I should try.

[@ChloeMartinBrown]

Thanks for making this- my initial thought when I saw the vid was 'duh, yes, why is this a question?' and then I think of the rate at which young women and girls drop away from sport, and what it's like to be an adult who found sport in their 20's rather than having grown up with it, and understanding that there are SO MANY questions, so answering this one for anyone who needs it is awesome and reminds people like me who weren't thinking about the issue to be more aware!!

[@lala7701]

Thanks for covering this! Personally, I find that my performance is way worse at this time of the month and my periods tend to be on the very bad and heavy side most of the time, but I do find that keeping on doing some cardio really helps with reducing the amount of pain.

[@LibraryAnn796]

Thanks so much! What a great video! I can confirm from personal experience that swimming absolutely lessens my period pain (and foul mood) and I whole heartedly recommend a menstrual cup for swimming - just make sure you try it a few times so you know how it works with your body before diving in. Just about to do my first ever 70.3 -- on my period- so I am excited to hear that folks can perform better during this point in the cycle.

[@heatherfell_oly]

That's great you've figured out what works for you Jennifer, seems the menstrual cup is worth trying. Good luck in your 70.3!

[@daniellesunley4807]

A menstrual cup is very good for running, cycling and horse riding. I haven’t tried swimming, other than playing in the pool with our kids. I can not use tampons as I find them very uncomfortable but I have been using a menstrual cup for about 6 years now. Even on my heaviest days it doesn’t leak and can last for hours before it is full. The first time I wore one was on an 18 hour car ride.

[@heatherfell_oly]

Thanks for sharing Danielle, seems a lot of positives for the menstrual cup.

[@mosanna20]

Heya, I’m interested in trying out a cup but I have a couple worries, how do you keep it sterile? Also, I’ve heard so many horror stories about them getting stuck - although I can’t really see how - have you ever had any issues?

[@blubbblubb6239]

I also use a menstrual cup and it is soooo useful! Just read a bit into the topic, since some websites give advice for roughly estimating the needed size and shape. ;-) After your period you can just wash it and boil a bit in water before storing for next month.

[@winklertribe5268]

Thanks for covering this issue!! I personally liked using a menstrual cup in general and especially when swimming. No string, and no water soaked tampon.

[@KaylenLovesYou]

Wait i honestly didn’t know you could wear a tampon in the water. I have some, but I never tried it on. Im quite scared to- I was raised alone by my father. And we’re going on vacation where the main idea was to swim so he has no idea what to do. Is using a tampon 100% gonna be okay in the water?

[@winklertribe5268]

@@KaylenLovesYou Maybe you could talk to your doctor or a nurse at your doctors office to discuss the best option for you. I have used a tampon to swim, and it worked, but it absorbed water too, so the string and the tampon were a bit soggy. Nothing is 100% guaranteed, but they do work. I always changed the tampon frequently, though because it can feel uncomfortable. Years later, I started using a menstrual cup and felt more comfortable! It’s made of surgical silicone, so it didn’t get soggy like a tampon and string. It’s flexible but firm and stays in place to create a solid barrier. But learning how to insert it properly takes some practice- just like learning to insert a tampon.

[@livfitz]

Thanks for covering this topic. It's important. Event organisers also need to think more about menstruating women. I change my tampon after the swim, especially in long races. In an Ironman event last year, the toilets in T1 were before you actually entered transition, so I couldn't access my things before using them. I had to carry my spare tampon in a zip lock bag in my gel pocket for the swim and hope for the best. (Thankfully, it survived).

[@heatherfell_oly]

That's very true Liv, more awareness needed.

[@gabrielleshanahan5453]

Love love love this! Talking more about periods and sports makes it so much more of an approachable subject and empowers women! To think that we can still engage in sports whilst our bodies go through so much each month is amazing 😁🏃‍♀️💪🏼

[@gtn]

🙌

[@heatherfell_oly]

The more women and men are aware the better, all about the education.

[@lkjay7032]

Excellent video and great that you’re starting an open dialogue on this. I wonder if you could do something similar about training for menopausal women as well?

[@heatherfell_oly]

Yes a topic I am keen to research too, watch this space.

[@tinyrunner88]

Have tried period swimwear. It’s fine for gentle swimming but not suitable for training. Not because of leaking, but because the cut is aimed at people swimming for leisure rather than fitness. I’m not blessed in the boob department but I was definitely at risk of slippage when I tried doing front crawl at my normal speed. 😅

[@heatherfell_oly]

Thanks for sharing that Emma, it will be interesting to see what experience other women have with this.

[@joannabarlow864]

This is really useful feedback. I'm thinking of giving it a go but am also not blessed up top!

[@KaraChapman]

Thanks for sharing. I'm overly endowed up top so this sounds like a pass for me).

[@StephMitchell-g7y]

Thanks for sharing!! I am about to use them for the first time so that makes me feel more comfortable about using them!! Thanks!

[@carolinesmith2945]

Didn’t know period swim wear was a thing, I’ll definitely be investing!

[@tabak0va]

Thank you for the video! So great we start discussing such subjects! For me personally tampons work just fine, and my period never stopped me from training. Curious about the period swimwear, never even heard about it.

[@alligatorseverywhere7233]

Huge Thanks for covering these topics! It’s great to feel seeing and included. I’m new to Tri culture, preparing for a sprint event. Your videos have helped me tons! Please share more. Blessings and great vibes your way. 🙌🏽

[@heatherfell_oly]

Good luck in your race and thanks for the comment. :)

[@meganparr6253]

Thanks for talking about this! As a triathlete with endometriosis, this is often the most difficult time to train. Swimming is certainly the kindest thing I can do for myself if I’m not bed bound! However, thanks to a few childhood movies, I am forever terrified of getting eaten by a shark open water swimming with my period. Irrational, but never to be resolved fear! I certainly find the cool water in summer or a hot spa after a swim in winter great for helping with the pain though, and you’re right, even some gentle movement helps!

[@emmachivers9981]

This is amazing for me as a young swimmer thank you ✨

[@heatherfell_oly]

Great to hear Emma, maybe share with fellow swimmers who you feel might benefit.

[@ej7156]

LOVE this content. Kudos to you GTN.

[@rachelcarre06]

I use period swimwear, I think it’s great. It’s all I’ve ever used and never had a problem or a leak 😀

[@heatherfell_oly]

Great to hear, thanks for sharing Rachel.

[@khadijahamed7858]

Where do u get it from

[@rachelcarre06]

@@khadijahamed7858 I got mine from Modibodi

[@EdytkaMgz]

I personally like using Joydivision soft tampons when swimming. They don’t look like other tampons (kind of small pink foam without a string), yet still give great protection :)

[@wangxianbb]

this is sooooo helpful thank you! 🙏

[@Jenniferluvswim]

Thanks for covering this I woke up this morning to my period and I have a very important meet today and tmrw and the the day after that

[@ronekelly4733]

Excellent now your addressing comprehensive topics of interest to all your Subscribers……. Sometimes it can seem like 50% of us don’t exist .

[@toxicnatalie2655]

I use menstrual cups! I'm waiting for a diagnosis of endometriosis, so my periods are terribly heavy and I'm yet to leak whilst using a menstrual cup! It's a shame girls aren't really taught about them! I was 30 when I found out about them, so until about 6 months ago, when it was my period cycle, I never went swimming until my cycle had finished! But now I go every week, with no worries! :)

[@inimene6]

I'm terrified of tampons and always have to make up excuses not to go to practice. Swimming is everything to me but there's no way I'm putting that thing inside me. My brother always calls me lazy because of it and he's getting on my nerves. I can't even say how much I love swimming without him bringing up the fact I can't go there anytime soon

[@maristela_strocn]

dont be afraiddd:) youll get use to tampons and just calm yourself u will feel completely NOTHING.

[@victoriamonet1117]

THANKS! you can also trim the string on the tampon just in case

[@Ananasdragonfan1]

Ty for the info! I was getting a pool today now i can swim ty!

[@arlponcho]

Thank you I have 2 daughter's I didn't understand them . mom is absent help alot

[@gtn]

Glad we can help! 🙌

[@seanheath929]

Thanks for covering this - was just talking to my daughter tonight about this, as she was worried about swimming whilst on holiday. This has helped reassure her.

[@heatherfell_oly]

Great to hear, thanks Sean.

[@XeniDayDreamz]

Thanks for the advice

[@Rain-bj2ue]

For short times in the pool like my 30 minute swim lessons I just use nothing and it works. I always start my period on a Sunday so my swim lessons were always on the 3rd or 5th day so it wasn’t to heavy of a day

[@MM-chicken]

I’m so anxious right now cuz I’m having cramps and I’m having a swim competition next week and I’m afraid that I’m not able to train😢

[@khadijahamed7858]

I noticed it stops when I get in the water 😀

[@gloryyeshua1182]

New subscriber here from Davao City, Philippines ❤️ Nov. 29, 2024 Friday

[@sunshine-db2zm]

I had no idea that swimming was even possible during periods up until now...will start to use menstrual cup and then give it a try...but very nervous..

[@robinhoodyyc65]

I tried to ask about this 10 - 13 years ago and boy it did go over well I had to talk to my Dr to figure out how to change the period from race day for an Ironman - apparently you loss your period once your body fat goes below a certain level

[@jobanski]

I think it’s good we start talking about the embarrassing sides of triathlon.

[@otterdraws]

Generally menstrual cups have worked really well for me, but when I swim they do get filled with water and they do end up leaking, and I'd really like to find a solution to this...

[@wilsonpotositrail]

Excelente

[@angelag5708]

Didn't know about the period swim wear 🤔

[@condesabeatriz9303]

Me either!

[@christalawton9579]

Hi, Thanks very much for this. My question. Is it usual to get pool water soaking into a tampon? Are some tampons better than others? I am 12 and I am sure I am putting the tampon in right! I have been using Tampax pearl and lillets for more than a year. Great for school, PE etc I dont use anything else, tho I would be willing to try a period cup, would it be better? Which one might be best? Many thanks, Christine. 😊

[@michelleo8279]

Water should not get into the tampon (as far as I'm aware) if water does get in, it's possible that you are not placing it high enough. Change it as soon as you get out the pool. I hope this helps

[@MichaelKingwell]

Thank you, this was helpful, but I do have two questions: When I'm wearing a tampon and swimming it feels like it's going to fall out, is that normal? Also, when I climb out then, would blood leak from it,eventho I am wearing a Tampon? Like say I'm at a pool part and we're constantly climbing in and out...will it leak?

[@wilfdarr]

"It puts a lot of people off" As a man, please hear me when I say "F*** them"!

[@mx2048]

Swimming pools even allow babies who are not potty-trained - with diapers - into the water,

[@hannahpoore5112]

At the beginning of September I am swimming lake Windermere. I have worked out that I am going to have my period. It’s normally really heavy for the first couple of days and I don’t know how to deal with this. I am expecting the swim to take approx 5 hours. I will be wearing a wetsuit. Any ideas from others who might have been in a similar situation. Thank you

[@heatherfell_oly]

Hi Hannah, Sorry I am a bit late to this answer. It's a tough one. You could try an extra flow tampon but I would suggest trying to go with nothing in and just flushing your wetsuit when you feel you need to. Then again just before you get out. For after just have a plan for somewhere to get changed and then use your normal sanitary wear. I hope that helps. That is just what i would do.

[@maryskelcher8979]

Of course you can swim during your period

[@KaylenLovesYou]

I find know you could wear tampons in the water-

[@N3isfree]

😵

[@savagepro9060]

As a guy I won't know anything about that, period!

[@marallrogie]

🫶🏻

[@shotgunchris]

GROOOOOSS

[@maristela_strocn]

*youre

[@ItsSamm1999]

​@@maristela_strocnyess

[@lee_seol.x]

Says u bro 💀💀

[@shotgunchris]

@@lee_seol.x It's fucking gross. 🤢 🤮

[@yasminaata]

happy 5th birthday !

[@savagepro9060]

Why it's called MENstruating, and men don't have it!

[@savagepro9060]

GTN: Can you swim on your period? All Guys:

[@lord1999ful]

And that is the first GTN video I skipped!!!