Can your daughter swim with her period?

What products work + more!

Quick summary

• Swimming on a period is safe, hygienic, and far more manageable than most teens assume
• Water pressure slows flow, and products like tampons, cups or period swimwear offer reliable protection
• If she’s anxious, luna, our period tracking and puberty app, can help her learn in her own time about periods, products and managing leaks (everything she sees in the app is medically reviewed and created for young people!)

Rated 4.8

Give your daughter the best guide to girlhood with luna

Find out more

When a swimming lesson, holiday, or school trip comes up, the question of whether people can swim on their period usually worries parents and teens equally.

And it’s very common for girls to feel unsure about it.

In a luna app poll, 1 in 2 (49%) teen girls told us they avoid swimming on their period entirely, rather than use a suitable period product.

So if your daughter is anxious about leaking, worried about what to use, or tempted to sit out completely, she’s certainly not alone.

The good news? Swimming on a period is safe, normal, and totally possible, and helping her understand her options now can give her the confidence she needs to join in without stress.

Here’s the guidance you need to support her calmly and practically.

Can girls swim on their period?

Yes – absolutely.

Swimming on a period is safe, normal, and doesn’t pose any health risks.

If she wants to get in the pool or the sea, she can. And swimming may even help reduce cramps thanks to gentle movement and warm water.

What actually happens to period flow in water?

When someone steps into water, the surrounding pressure slows the flow of menstrual blood.

It doesn’t fully stop it, but it usually means:

• Leaks are less likely
• Light flow may not be noticeable at all
• Any small leak disperses quickly in the water

The only times a small leak might happen are when she:

• Sneezes
• Coughs
• Bears down / “pushes”

This is completely normal, but leaks can be made rare when using the right products (more on this soon!)

Is it unhygienic or dirty to swim on your period?

No. Swimming on a period isn’t unclean, and it doesn’t make the water unsafe for anybody!

Swimming without any period product can lead to leaks, but...

• Any blood is diluted instantly
• Chlorine disinfects pool water
• The body isn’t “releasing” large amounts of blood into the water

If she has a leak, it’s usually minimal and not noticeable to anyone else.

Is it safe to swim on a period? Does it attract sharks?

Yes it's safe, unless she’s had a recent vaginal medical procedure, where a doctor has advised against it.

There is no risk of attracting sharks, even in open water – that’s a myth that still circulates widely!

Swimming during a period is not only safe, but is often recommended as a form of gentle exercise which can be easier to do during a period when energy is lower.

What products can your daughter use for swimming?

There are three suitable options for swimming on a period:

1. Period swimwear

Great for teens who are nervous about tampons or cups.

Period swimwear is designed to be worn in the water, unlike period underwear.

It’s comfortable, reusable and perfect for school activities or holidays.

Read more about this in our guide to period swimwear for teens.

2. Tampons

Tampons absorb blood inside the body, making them ideal for swimming.

They can be used by teens safely, despite many myths.

Just remind her to change it after swimming and never leave it in longer than 8 hours.

We also have a guide on whether tampons are safe for teens if you're worried.

And if she’s unsure how long she can swim without a tampon, you may find this helpful: How long can you swim on your period without a tampon?

3. Menstrual cups

Leak-proof when inserted correctly, they create a seal, so water stays out and blood stays in.

However, they can take a little practice, so many teens prefer to try them at home first.

Products to avoid when swimming on a period

• Pads or liners: they soak up water instead of a period and may even lose their sticky backing
• Period underwear: brilliant on land, but so much "at sea"
• Reusable cloth pads: same issue as pads

How to prepare your daughter if she wants to swim on her period

Some helpful steps:

• Let her test period products at home first – in the bath, for example
• Suggest she packs a spare tampon/cup or dry pair of bottoms for when she's finished swimming
• Remind her that leaks are rare with the right products
• Reassure her that she does not need to sit out of PE or miss holiday activities
• Validate any nerves – they’re common, especially as she learns what works for her, but in time it will get easier!

If she’s self-conscious, period swimwear can be a great first step as it's super easy to use.

So, can your daughter swim on her period?

• Your daughter can absolutely swim on her period
• Water pressure slows flow, so leaks even without a period product are less likely
• Period swimwear, tampons or menstrual cups all work well

Helping her get confident now means she won’t miss out on school trips, holidays, or fun experiences later.

And if she wants to feel a little less confused about it all, or has more questions like this than you are struggling to find the answers for, our app luna is full of medically reviewed content, answers to the biggest questions teens are asking, plus there's a period and mood tracker to help her plan for when she needs to swim on a period.

Rated 4.8

Give your daughter the best guide to girlhood with luna

Find out more