Is it okay to swim when I’m on my period? Is there a risk of infection? Will cold water affect my period? These are just a few of the questions most women think about as summer approaches.
Surely no woman wants to have her period during her summer vacation. That’s why they look for solutions, such as swimming with a tampon or delaying their period with medication. But are these methods safe?;
Ο Panagiotis Christopoulos, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Athens School of Medicine, Specialist in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology and Coordinator of European Pediatric Gynecologists, answers nine key questions that concern women during the summer.
– Let’s start with the most common question: Is it okay to swim in the ocean during your period?;
In our minds, summer is usually associated with the beach and swimming. However, many women do wonder whether they can enjoy the beach while they have their period. Generally speaking, there’s no particular reason for concern. With the right conditions and advice from a gynecologist, the beach and your period can go hand in hand.
– Some people claim that not only is swimming allowed, but that it also has benefits for dysmenorrhea and breast pain. Is there any evidence to support this?;
Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps, as well as mastalgia, or breast pain, can be alleviated through physical exercise. Women who exercise regularly usually experience milder symptoms. This is mainly due to certain substances produced during exercise. Swimming does not help in any specific way, but it is an excellent form of physical exercise.
– Does it matter which day of her menstrual cycle a woman is on?;
In fact, the heavier the flow—as is the case during the first few days of a period—the less we would want our period to stop. Also, the greater the likelihood of experiencing lower abdominal pain.
– Is it possible that my period will be interrupted by swimming in the ocean?;
We've often heard that if a woman swims in very cold water during her period, it can cause a decrease or even a cessation of menstrual bleeding, even if only for a few days. In addition, you may sometimes experience some pain in the lower abdomen.
– Is the risk of infection increasing?;
Many people believe that during menstruation, the cervix—that is, the «entrance» to the uterus—is more open. This means that if water enters the vagina, it can carry bacteria into the uterus. This situation is quite unpleasant and can cause serious problems for a woman’s gynecological health, both immediately and in the long term.
– What hygiene guidelines should a woman follow if she decides to go swimming while on her period?;
One solution that can help women who want to go in the water during their period is a vaginal tampon. However, it must be used correctly and carefully to avoid potential problems. The tampon It should be changed frequently and not to remain inside the woman's vagina for too long.
– What hygiene rules should a woman follow as soon as she gets out of the water?;
After the last swim, the tampon should be replaced with a dry one. Also, as soon as a woman takes off her swimsuit, she should Thoroughly wash with an antiseptic suitable for the sensitive area and with plenty of clean water, and replace the tampon with a pad.
– What age groups are we talking about? Does it matter whether a woman is a teenager or an adult?;
No. Hygiene rules must be followed by people of all ages. Of course, women who have not yet become sexually active need to exercise special caution when using tampons. It is advisable for them to visit a gynecologist to determine whether the shape of their hymen allows for tampon insertion. If this is possible, then great care must be taken to avoid injuring or even causing a tear in the hymen.
– Is intentionally interrupting one’s menstrual cycle with medication (e.g., birth control pills) during vacation days a good practice? Is it permissible to do so?;
Very often, women want to avoid having their period while they're on vacation. In fact, there are ways to do this. In consultation with their gynecologist and provided that this is done several days before their next expected period, they can postpone it for a little while so they can enjoy their vacation more comfortably.
