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HEALTH & FITNESS | YOUR BOD | PERIODS, PERIOD

108 Comments | Add Yours

4 steps to a pool-perfect period

 

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Your bestie is dyin’ to go to the pool, but that monthly nuisance just showed up to put a damper on your swimmin’ style. You’re thinkin’ of making some excuse – you only have to put her off for a week, after all – but why wait and miss this perf sunshine? Here are four steps to avoid the stress of that oh-so-annoying period and still have a rockin’ time at the pool or the beach.

 

 

Pad for as long as possible

If you’re heading to the pool or the beach, but ya know that you’re gonna be layin’ out for a while before you jump in the water, don’t be afraid to keep a thin pad on ‘til you hit the waves. That way you won’t have to worry while you’re playing beach volleyball, and all you have to do is take a bathroom break to remove it (and pop in a tampon if necessary) really quickly before you get wet.

 

Keep track of time

The day before ya get wet ‘n wild, pay attention to how heavy your flow is and how often you’ve gotta change out your tampon. Then the next day, whether you’re layin’ out, swimming laps or surfing, check the time every once in a while, and make a trip to the ladies’ room if ya need it. But just so ya know, here’s a sweet secret about swimming: Water pressure tends to put the brakes on your period for a bit. So if you’re runnin’ to the bathroom but find that the sitch isn’t as dramatic as you thought, let a li’l more time lapse between breaks.

 

Doesn’t hurt to double-check

Every time ya leave the ladies room, just take a quick peek to be sure that your tampon string is safely hidden by your bikini bottoms, since they don’t provide quite as much cover as you’d normally have with shorts or pants. You definitely don’t wanna go runnin’ back to the waves with a string that might provoke questions from your BGF, so just take those extra few secs to avoid awkwardtown. Tip? You can always trim the string a li’l shorter to prevent it from slipping out.

 

Don’t sweat the small stuff

At this time of the month, you may think that “period” is written all over your lovely face, but don’t worry, sistah, because it’s definitely not. Some gals get grouchy when their period rolls around, but no one said that you have to let it get ya down. If you act like your normal, fun self, nobody but you is gonna know that anything is goin’ on. And if you pretend that everything’s fine, you’ll start really havin’ fun and even fool yourself!

 

So gals, what are your best excuses to slip off to the bathroom when you’ve got your period by the pool?
 
 

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BY CARRIE RUPPERT ON 6/25/2012 12:00:00 AM

POSTED IN period 101, be period prepared, how to use tampons, how to use pads, puberty

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MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
Can you use tampons during your first period? Cause some ppl say that u have to wait a year till u use them, but I want to try it now cause I do lots of sports
(Dance, gymnastics,volleyball) also this is totally off topic, but I really like this guy and I was thinking of asking him to go with me to our 8th grade dance, how should I ask him?
thank-you
~jenna

 

Hey Swift_lover123, yes you can use them during your first period. I know girls who did it and were fine. Tampons will work better for you anyway since you are involved with so many sports. What is your relationship like with this guy? Write me back girly. Xoxo


 


Lynae P.

report

by Swift_lover123 on 10/21/2012 1:34:41 AM

 
 

Well I've been having my period for about two years now, but I have never used a tampon. Its kinda embarrassing but I'm really scared about it. It just freaks me out and I'm afraid I'll like I something wrong and I've heard about how you can get TSS from leaving a tampon in for too long so im pretty scared about it. The problem is I go to the pool a lot during the summer and I go t a camp where we go swimming a lot, and I don't want to have to sit out! I don't know what to do... I feel like a wimp.

report

by Sunny79 on 10/2/2012 4:40:53 PM

 
 


Mod Mod Mod!
I just turned 14 but I still haven't had my period, but I have boobs, armpit and pubic hair, and I have had discharge for about a year! When will it come? I'm worried because around march I got a physical done and they said if it doesn't start by the time your 14 see your doctor. Also I started swim for my gym class and the teacher marks when you start your period and I'm embarrassed because I haven't started mine. Sorry this is so long.




Hannah H.

report

by scoot on 10/2/2012 1:43:37 AM

 
 

MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
How light can a period be? Also, is it normal to get spotting and cramps every month without even having your period before? I've never had my period before, but I think I'm really close because I'm 14 in a week and I have all the signs of puberty. I'm wondering if this is my period because it's been going for two months now and it always comes at around the same time, but I don't know how much blood is considered a period.... A little help here? Thanks!



Hey girlie,

Your period can be extremely light where you barely notice it, but more than spotting.  Spotting is very normal, but it is not your period.  I can't exactly tell you when you will get it but it does sound like it's on its way in the near future.  We've got a few articles on this if you're curious!
Jordan S.

report

by purple10115 on 9/21/2012 5:57:00 PM

 
 



MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
I have had my period for like five months so I am still kinda new so I have some questions.
1. When I have my period it get's "messy" down there. Blood will be all over so I have to clean it hope with toilet paper! I shower twice a day but it doesn't help. I am still using pads since I am new and I have tried tampons but I want to mature a little first. What can I do to keep cleaner? It's gross. /:
2. I am very irregular still but for 5-7 weeks I have swimming lessons EVERY Friday! My parents are paying a lot so I just can't go. I don't know if I will get my period and if I do it may be light so I won't have to worry but what if I have to use a tampon? I tried and I am way too scared! My mom even tried helping!
3. I am so embarrassed of my period. With my friends I don't care because they kinda look up to me because I got it 1st. (UGH) But in front of my parents I am. My older sis isn't because she had it for years. How can I get over this?




Hey girl, 1) I think you're taking the right steps there: unfortunately periods are messy. Just shower daily and change your pad every couple of hours. You should be fine. 2) If you're on your period and swimming, you should use a tampon regardless. I know it's freaky, but think of the others in the pool (and your bathing suit bottom). It's way important to use something to keep it clean and in. If the tampon is too freaky now, you can always tell your instructor and they should understand. Periods are only a week, so you'd only miss one lesson a month. 3) Time is really the solution to that. Trust me when I say all girls get their periods eventually. You may be first, but your friends will catch up. You'll realize soon enough having a period is no biggie (just a bit of a pain sometimes, literally!) Try not to overthink it and just let it come and go. 

xoxo
Alyssa B.

report

by BabyDahl13 on 9/3/2012 7:02:02 PM

 
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