If there is one thing girls and women are forced to contend with, it is the monthly periods. From the ages of 8 up to 16, girls experience the expulsion of blood and other tissues from the uterus through the vagina. This is something that happens every month and lasts anywhere between 3 and seven days depending on one's hormonal make-up. It ends in late adulthood, something called menopause. During the period when menstruation is on, girls are usually unsure if it is alright to swim.
Swimming is Okay
Well, menstruation should not be the reason a girl cannot swim or engage in any activity she enjoys. In fact, there are women who engage in sexual activity during that period, though of course there is usually the messy bit of it. To get back to the main point, having a monthly period should not be the reason to shy away from jumping into the swimming pool.
Getting Into the Pool
Of course, you cannot dive into the pool without proper cladding. As a matter of fact, you need to have a menstrual cup or tampon in your swimming bag. The usual pad is not ideal for swimming as the water in the pool is likely to make it wet That aside, as soon as the pad becomes soggy, your menstrual blood will leak into the pool. This is very unhealthy and inconsiderate to other pool users.
Using a tampon or menstrual cup ensures your blood is trapped within the material provided without allowing it to exit to where it is not required. A tampon is a cylindrical mass of cotton with a small string attached to one end that remains outside the vagina when the tampon has been inserted therein. When removing the tampon, the small string is gently pulled and out comes the tampon. When clad in your swimming suit, the small string is neatly tucked into the panty and it will not show.
If a tampon is not your favorite, consider using the menstrual cup. Made from silicone or rubber, this small cup is carefully inserted into the vagina during the menstrual period. Unlike the tampon that absorbs blood, the cup simply traps it. When it fills up, it is emptied. It can last for between 6 and 12 hours depending on one's menstrual flow.
Choice of menstrual materials to use
Tampons come in various sizes to cater to all kinds of flow. Too much flow requires high absorbency tampons while on light days, one could possibly use regular tampons. It is important to choose the tampon for use after determining the kind of flow one regularly has. Using low absorbency tampons may lead to a leakage which can be embarrassing and unhygienic when in the pool. After swimming, always remove the tampon that you used because the string will automatically be wet.
Menstrual Cramps and Swimming
Some women and girls experience period cramps. These are sharp pains at the lower part of the abdomen. Even though they may be painful, cramps are basically harmless and should not be a reason to avoid swimming. However, if they are too painful that they lead to someone doubling over, or losing breath, or if one is forced to continuously clutch the tummy, then it would be wise to steer clear of the pool. If you decide to swim, there should be an experienced swimmer near you at all times.
