Swimming During Menstruation

It is summer (or you're at an indoor pool) and you are in the middle of your period. Yes, this sucks, but no, it is not hard to fix. There are some steps you can take to ensure that your pool time will go off without a hitch.

Keep a schedule of your cycle. Even if you are the most irregular girl in the world and, honey, I've been there, if you keep a schedule with your monthly menstruation documented, you will be able to tell what factors make it regular, you will be able to experiment with diet and lifestyle habits which can affect how regular you are, and you will get a pretty basic idea of when to expect your next period.

Eat pecans.There is nothing less enjoyable than hanging out with your friends or a good-looking guy and suddenly getting cramps, bloating or any sort of menstrual pain. My mom handed down a secret to me that is effective across the board, no matter who you are. Either eat 10-12 pecans a day, all through the month, or eat a bag of pecans a day during your menstruation. In the beginning, simply eat them until the pain goes away. By that time, enough of them are inside of you to last for the rest of the day. Pecans regulate irregular periods, decrease heavy flow during your heavy days, and eliminate all pain associated with menstruation, including cramps, bloating, dryness, or any other type of discomfort.

Get used to tampons. Now, if you have never used tampons before, don't worry. It is not like losing your virginity and not nearly as painful, unless you don't get it in all the way. If your tampon is sticking out at all or is not in far enough and you are able to feel it around the surface, you will be in pain or at the very least uncomfortable. Simply pull it out and put in a new one, and don't push in the applicator until the applicator is fully inserted all of the way inside of you. Wash yourself and insert a new tampon right before you get in the pool and you won't get anything on your swimsuit and you will be safe until you get out of the water.

Trim your pubic hair. It is not a good idea to shave yourself down there, because soft tissue facilitates ingrown hair. Instead, wax your pubic hair, or (carefully!) cut it very short using sharp scissors. Be careful that you don't cut any of your other parts in the process. Trimmed pubic hair will do two things: first, it will not be visible under or around your swimsuit, and second, it will not retain as much blood as long hair does. Everything will be cleaner and easier to wash. Also, it will keep things cool down there during the hot months.

You are ready for the pool now, so go grab your bikini! Keep yourself safe and protected by only swimming with friends and while a lifeguard is present. Avoid swimming alone or with only strangers, because predators act fast and are good at what they do. Happy swimming!