Is period swimwear good for teens?
How period bathing suits and bottoms work
Quick summary
- Period swimwear looks like regular swimwear but has a hidden absorbent lining that prevents leaks, making it a great option for teens who don’t want to use tampons or menstrual cups
- It has three layers: a top layer to wick away moisture, a middle layer to absorb and lock in period blood, and a waterproof bottom layer to prevent leaks
- Teens can test it at home or in the bath to check comfort and absorption before swimming, if they're nervous about leaks
Period swimwear, also known as leak-proof or period-proof swimwear, is a relatively new invention designed to let menstruators swim comfortably during a period 🏊♀️
It looks like regular swimwear but has a hidden lining that absorbs period blood and prevents leaks.
This swimwear is perfect for teens as it's super easy to use. This is particularly the case if your teen usually avoids swimming during a period because they’re worried about leaks, and aren’t comfortable using tampons or menstrual cups.
How does period swimwear work?
Period swimwear uses multiple layers:
- Bottom layer: waterproof material that stops period blood from leaking out 💧
- Middle layer: absorbs and locks in period blood 🔒
- Top layer: wicks away moisture from your skin, keeping you dry and also helps prevent smells 🌸
You can find loads of different styles, like period bathing suits and period swim bottoms in a range of absorbancies.
Is there any risk of leaking in period swimwear? Can my teen test the period swimwear?
While period swimwear is designed to be very effective, there's a small risk of leaking 🤏 especially on heavy flow days, just as there is with any other period product.
To test period swimwear your teen could…
- Wear it at home to see how well it absorbs and how comfortable it feels
- Try it in the bath or shower to get a better idea of its performance
Hopefully this helps you if you want to encourage your teen to feel confident swimming on their period – whether at school, in after-school clubs or on holiday. Please know that your teen’s period should never stop them from enjoying their day-to-day life, so keep exploring your options together until you find something that makes them comfortable 😊
How we created this article:
luna's team of experts comprises GPs, Dermatologists, Safeguarding Leads and Junior Doctors as well as Medical Students with specialised interests in paediatric care, mental health and gynaecology. All articles are created by experts, and reviewed by a member of luna's senior review team.
Sources:
VeryWell Health "Why swimming during your period is both safe and recommended" | Accessed 19.03.25
https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-i-go-swimming-during-my-period-2721940Penn Medicine "Swimming and your period: gross or go for it?" | Accessed 19.03.25
https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/womens-health/2016/june/swimming-and-your-period-5-myths-debunkedFind out about trends when your teen does
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