We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

For ladies only... swimming??

LotsOtots5
LotsOtots5 Posts: 174
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
and i know that never keeps guys out...

My kids desperately want to go to the pool today but it's that TOM... does a tampon REALLY work in the pool? Has anyone actually done it? Yes, I have to get in the water. I never go swimming during TOM but I don't know if I can back out of it since I already told them we're going....
«13

Replies

  • GypsyRose25
    GypsyRose25 Posts: 407
    They work fine.
  • eates
    eates Posts: 334 Member
    They work just fine- promise!
  • fultzjaf
    fultzjaf Posts: 141 Member
    I get in the pool all the time like that. I actually just did it one day last week,. It's safe, don't worry! I do it all the time.
  • rosied915
    rosied915 Posts: 799 Member
    It's been a while since I've had to worry about that but when I did, YES, tampons worked just fine for swimming.
  • lindsaylove07
    lindsaylove07 Posts: 444 Member
    I worried about this ALL THE TIME! Your body usually stops when you get wet (ever take a bath during TOM, you don't have a red bath, or at least I don't). But, I've always used a tampon when swimming and never had a problem!
  • peachNpunkin
    peachNpunkin Posts: 1,010 Member
    They work just fine, I swim in the gulf all the time with them in, they don't leak, they don't come out, and so far no sharks have eaten me, so I guess they take care of any smells as well.
  • TheMaidOfAstolat
    TheMaidOfAstolat Posts: 3,222 Member
    I've been using them and swimming since I started having my period over 13 years ago.
  • NicLiving
    NicLiving Posts: 261 Member
    Tampons work just fine. I swear by them! Haven't used a pad in years.
  • sauerkrautpolka
    sauerkrautpolka Posts: 266 Member
    I guess it depends on how heavy your flow is... mine is niagara falls heavy. A tampon would never keep me safe from swimming as I have to wear a super, ultra overnight pad as well as a maximum absorbancy tampon and still have to change them out every hour or 2.
  • jesilva80
    jesilva80 Posts: 287 Member
    They work I promise :) Been swimming for 15 yrs with them, no issues yet
  • sociable15
    sociable15 Posts: 98
    I use a cup now, which i have no problems swimming with, but I never had problems with tampons when I used them with swimming. Other problems, but not with swimming. ;-)
  • bjclaywell
    bjclaywell Posts: 165 Member
    I swim every month during TOM and they work perfectly. :)
  • juleseybaby
    juleseybaby Posts: 712 Member
    ...so far no sharks have eaten me, so I guess they take care of any smells as well.

    LOVE IT!!
  • princess_in_power
    princess_in_power Posts: 234 Member
    I guess it depends on how heavy your flow is... mine is niagara falls heavy. A tampon would never keep me safe from swimming as I have to wear a super, ultra overnight pad as well as a maximum absorbancy tampon and still have to change them out every hour or 2.

    This is me, I could never go swimming (due to leakage) I bleed over 3oz PER day for 7days (pre-mirena that is). To compare a woman is said to loose 3oz over the ENTIRE period (1/2oz per day for 5-7 days). Yeah not fun (very anemic)

    Anyways, get the Diva Cup! YOU WILL NEVER LOOK BACK!! It has been a godsend for me!!! I can go swimming every day of my period with no leaks and no worries! instead of having to change a tampon every 1-2 hours, I can go ALL MORNING the first few days & then ALL DAY the last few!!
    This is the cheapest you can get it http://www.ecrater.com/p/2294864/diva-cup-model-1-divacup-menstrual

    It is PERMANENT! You never have to buy tampons again and I wear panty liners just as paranoid person. (just one for the whole day, usually there isn't anything on it). You soak the cup in peroxide between periods (to clean & disinfect) and it is the most awesome thing! =)

    It has a learning curve, but if you already use tampons, then you are mostly there!

    No I do not work for them, no I do not get any money from them. I am a heavy flow sufferer that can now "live" again. I can exercise and be 100% active with no worries of leaks (if my cramps aren't killing me, but the DivaCup did help w/that a littlle, go figure!)!!! I can sit all day at work & not have to worry about clothing spots!

    I recommend it 100% http://www.divacup.com/ There are other brands, but I have never used them. I got mine in 2009 and wish I would have known about it a long time ago!!! It has saved me SOO much $$$ on pads & tampons, plus underwear and clothing & kept dignity in tact!!
  • voluptas63
    voluptas63 Posts: 602 Member
    I've swam since I was 5 (competitively) and managed pools since I was 16.

    Yes. You can swim with a tampon in. Interesting that this is a question from a grown woman with an assumely normal flow.
  • LotsOtots5
    LotsOtots5 Posts: 174
    ...so far no sharks have eaten me, so I guess they take care of any smells as well

    this is great, LOL!!!

    thanks ladies! I am going swimming (as long as the kids fold laundry like they're supposed to....)

    I have heard of the diva cup before but had my doubts. Maybe I'll give it a try??


    Yah, I've always avoided swimming during tom because I was worried that the tampon wouldn't work properly and there'd be a "scene" in the pool. Crazy I know, but we all have our irrational fears ;)
  • vanharm
    vanharm Posts: 5
    100% fine. i've been swim training for years with tampon in. and swim training = 1hr in the pool!
  • princess_in_power
    princess_in_power Posts: 234 Member
    I use a cup now, which i have no problems swimming with, but I never had problems with tampons when I used them with swimming. Other problems, but not with swimming. ;-)

    Which brand do you use? I have the DivaCup.

    “DivaCup”–
    “MoonCup U.K.”–
    “MoonCup Keeper U.S.A.”–
    “LadyCup”–
    “Femmecup”–
    “Lunette”–
    “MiaCup”–
    "Mpower Cup"-
    "Alicia"-
    “Yukki”–
    “Keeper”–
    "Instead"- (disposable, some say not as good as the reusable "permanent" types) not very useful for heavy flow
  • sauerkrautpolka
    sauerkrautpolka Posts: 266 Member
    I guess it depends on how heavy your flow is... mine is niagara falls heavy. A tampon would never keep me safe from swimming as I have to wear a super, ultra overnight pad as well as a maximum absorbancy tampon and still have to change them out every hour or 2.

    This is me, I could never go swimming (due to leakage) I bleed over 3oz PER day for 7days (pre-mirena that is). To compare a woman is said to loose 3oz over the ENTIRE period (1/2oz per day for 5-7 days). Yeah not fun (very anemic)

    Anyways, get the Diva Cup! YOU WILL NEVER LOOK BACK!! It has been a godsend for me!!! I can go swimming every day of my period with no leaks and no worries! instead of having to change a tampon every 1-2 hours, I can go ALL MORNING the first few days & then ALL DAY the last few!!
    This is the cheapest you can get it http://www.ecrater.com/p/2294864/diva-cup-model-1-divacup-menstrual

    It is PERMANENT! You never have to buy tampons again and I wear panty liners just as paranoid person. (just one for the whole day, usually there isn't anything on it). You soak the cup in peroxide between periods (to clean & disinfect) and it is the most awesome thing! =)

    It has a learning curve, but if you already use tampons, then you are mostly there!

    No I do not work for them, no I do not get any money from them. I am a heavy flow sufferer that can now "live" again. I can exercise and be 100% active with no worries of leaks (if my cramps aren't killing me, but the DivaCup did help w/that a littlle, go figure!)!!! I can sit all day at work & not have to worry about clothing spots!

    I recommend it 100% http://www.divacup.com/ There are other brands, but I have never used them. I got mine in 2009 and wish I would have known about it a long time ago!!! It has saved me SOO much $$$ on pads & tampons, plus underwear and clothing & kept dignity in tact!!

    Oh, I believe it! I've been wanting one for years. I don't know why I haven't ordered one yet.
  • princess_in_power
    princess_in_power Posts: 234 Member
    thanks ladies! I am going swimming (as long as the kids fold laundry like they're supposed to....)

    I have heard of the diva cup before but had my doubts. Maybe I'll give it a try??

    I've been a sworn user for 2yrs, can I help with any doubts questions? If you want to message me, I can answer any "embarrassing" questions :happy:

    Or I can answer them here :bigsmile: (so others can benefit)


    These links are not me or mine, just sharing w/more info!
    A short video demonstrating how it works (I'm at work, so not sure if there is sound or not)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfHF0p7X4MI&feature=player_embedded

    LOVE this cute blog post::
    http://menstrualcupinfo.wordpress.com/a-story-my-journey-from-pads-to-cups/
  • TheGoktor
    TheGoktor Posts: 1,138 Member
    I've been a sworn user for 2yrs, can I help with any doubts questions? If you want to message me, I can answer any "embarrassing" questions :happy:

    I've been using my MoonCup since 2004, and would/could never go back to using towels or tampons. I'd say it's more than paid for itself over the years! I've also found my flow has decreased from when I was using tampons, and as has been mentioned, period pains are (almost) a thing of the past. Shame it can't lessen the backache, clumsiness and grouchiness though! Of course, it's more environmentally-friendly than tampons too, and if the US (etc.) companies are anything like the UK ones, it comes with a money-back guarantee, so if you try it and just can't get on with it, you just have to send it back to get a refund!

    I find it's fine to go swimming with too.
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
    ive had a mooncup for years too. Totally recommend it. Would never go back to tampons
  • LivLovLrn
    LivLovLrn Posts: 580 Member
    I guess it depends on how heavy your flow is... mine is niagara falls heavy. A tampon would never keep me safe from swimming as I have to wear a super, ultra overnight pad as well as a maximum absorbancy tampon and still have to change them out every hour or 2.

    I am thinking you should see a dr about this heavy of a flow....perhaps a hormonal imbalance. Also I highly recommend iron supplements. I became EXTREMELY anemic after mine increased over the years.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I use a diva cup, but I choose to use a tampon for lighter days. I swim quite mess-free with both!
  • princess_in_power
    princess_in_power Posts: 234 Member
    I've been a sworn user for 2yrs, can I help with any doubts questions? If you want to message me, I can answer any "embarrassing" questions :happy:
    I've been using my MoonCup since 2004, and would/could never go back to using towels or tampons. I'd say it's more than paid for itself over the years! I've also found my flow has decreased from when I was using tampons, and as has been mentioned, period pains are (almost) a thing of the past. Shame it can't lessen the backache, clumsiness and grouchiness though! Of course, it's more environmentally-friendly than tampons too, and if the US (etc.) companies are anything like the UK ones, it comes with a money-back guarantee, so if you try it and just can't get on with it, you just have to send it back to get a refund!

    I find it's fine to go swimming with too.
    It's definitely paid for itself many times over!

    Let's assume a "normal" period, the woman changes the tampon 3 times per 24hr-day/night, for 6 days, that's 18 tampons per period, plus approx 13 periods per year (approx 234 tampons) = $67.92 (avg cost per year in Tampons only) (20ct box @ $5.66)
    Not counting all the land-filling that adds!
    Basically (the cup) can pay for itself in under a year!
  • Twasney
    Twasney Posts: 186 Member
    I do aquafit and jump around and get all crazy and its never ever ever been a problem with a tampon!
  • mommachef
    mommachef Posts: 52
    Another Diva Cup fan. I'm going swimming today and it's my TOM. It works great! I actually use the Diva Cup during my entire cycle.
  • princess_in_power
    princess_in_power Posts: 234 Member
    Another Diva Cup fan. I'm going swimming today and it's my TOM. It works great! I actually use the Diva Cup during my entire cycle.
    ^^This^^

    Do to the tampons risk of TSS (due to dryness in vaginal wall (caused by tampon absorbing), which leads to tearing, which can let in bacteria). Which I would say is higher risk on "light" aka dryer days.
    I prefer the cup for the whole cycle! It doesn't have to get filled up and there is no risk leaving it all day on known light days =) I think a max of twelve hours is the recommended time? (cups)

    ETA:: I don't have light days =D, I have flow or no. ;)
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Wow. Okay, I swam from the time I was 4 until I graduated hs at 18 and never missed a swim practice and don't ever remember having an accident. they work. I've started using an Instead cup, and they're inconsistent, but i've heard the diva cups are awesome.
  • mandeiko
    mandeiko Posts: 1,657 Member
    Yes they sure do :)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories