Question No. 8: Your period + pad + pool = ?

It's rainy and cold right now, but summer is not that far away. Jessica has a great question about summertime fun and your period.

Dear PLS,
What happens when you wear a pad to the pool?
Jessica, 12


The quick answer is NOT GOOD THINGS if you go in the water. Though pads are very useful for lots of other situations. They were not made to get wet. The pad would get wet and mushy and heavy. So...most girls choose to wear a tampon.

Here's a bunch of info about tampons and pads. You also might want to talk to your mom or an older sister or friend who knows how to use tampons. From what I hear, it takes a little practice but then it's very helpful to use them, especially for stuff like swimming.

Any advice out there? Did you ever try to swim with a pad? What happened?

Think pink!
Jemma

67 Comments:

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Anonymous Josie said...

Nope, I've never done it, they should really make water proof pads though! My advice: If your scared to use tampons (I would be!) just don't swim with your period.

March 23, 2011 9:27 PM  
Anonymous olive101 said...

ummmmmmmmmmmmmm........... just dont do it. trust me its not a good idea i know even that i havnt got the big P yet

March 24, 2011 4:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whats a tampon?

March 24, 2011 11:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Using tampons can be a bit scary and nerve-wracking at first. But after a while you get used to it and you figure out the kind for you. Just like a pad. Be brave! And good luck!

March 26, 2011 3:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i wore a pad into a pool lets just say i was so glad none of my friends were there.

March 26, 2011 7:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please do NOT go swimming with a pad! Instead try a tampon, they're are made for swimming and well as periods.

March 26, 2011 7:31 PM  
Anonymous HillFilly said...

like i said before,they fall off.Its soooo embarassing!!

March 28, 2011 4:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

DON'T DO IT! I learned the HAARD way! I went swimming with it, and lets just say I'm glad my brothers weren't there. I am scared to use tampons though, the thought of where you put them grosses me out!

March 28, 2011 8:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i don't know whats gonna happen but i sure do love to swim!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. i had the same question

March 28, 2011 8:27 PM  
Anonymous tauri said...

Tampons scare me because of were you put them even if i havent started my period yet

March 28, 2011 10:07 PM  
Anonymous GrammarGeek said...

Hey-o! Well, first of all, I would agree with everyone else. Pads are made of cotton or something like paper. Paper and water don't mix.

March 30, 2011 8:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i agree water and pads dont go well together wearing a tampon would be much better

March 31, 2011 3:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey this isnt related to that but please i really need advice from PLS girls! Here is my question please help me! (i have two actually)
1. I had an "accident" in front of the whole class! So i had to pee and my teacher said no, and then I had to read my report to the class and I got to nervous and I had to pee so I peed my pants and everyone laughed at me and still do!!!!!! what do I do!?

2. My BFF invited me to a sleepover, and I want to go but one thing, all the girls are more mature then me and I think they will leave me out and talk about the PBB's! Also, when we change into our pajama's the girls will see how flat I am, and see my training bra. they all wear cup bras and have bigger breasts then me! Oh, and I, well, I am kind of, afraid of the dark, I know that sounds weird because i am 11, but I really am! And i can't tell her to turn on a nightlight! OH, ONE more thing, I well, SOMETIMES you know, wet the bed... PLEASE HELP! PLEASE! I AM BEGGING YOU ALL!

March 31, 2011 9:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

its ok to be scared just tell your bff and she will arrange sumthing 4 u ok just relax if she doenst understand tell a older sis or mom i know its wierd talking to your mom but sometime when u really need someone to talk to she there......

April 1, 2011 8:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi i am Hannah i have the period and don't like for shure we are girls

April 4, 2011 7:40 PM  
Anonymous Julia said...

If she's your BFF you can tell her things right? And she'll understand. And about the boob thing i know what you mean i'm 13 and i'm flat, and all the other girls ALL of them are very curvy.. so know your not alone and you could change in the bathroom! and abotu your first question, ignore them and carry on. What's done is done and they will eventually forget about it!

April 5, 2011 6:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Julia. i'm glad to hear that someone older then me is flat too.

April 5, 2011 7:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have before and it did feel heavy it nothing bad happened and besides when im active I don't really leak.

April 10, 2011 6:17 PM  
Anonymous Carla said...

When you get ur period do you get cramps in your stomach BEFORE you get it? If yes, where do you feel them? I have cramps, I am 11, have had discharge for 6 or 7 months and have had breasts for 2 years, am I going to get my period soon?
I would REALLY appreciate it if you would answer this Jemma! Thanks!
Think pink!

April 12, 2011 5:17 PM  
Anonymous sarah said...

hiya girls,if any of you already got her P then,how does it feel?does it hurt?does it leak through ur clothes?

just wanna know!
ps. jessieca dont worry it should be fine if you stay off swiming whileu get you period.

April 13, 2011 5:10 PM  
Anonymous Bryn said...

jemma can u plz answer my question? thx:)

April 22, 2011 1:53 PM  
Anonymous tess said...

sarah, i got the big P and its really light at first, once you start getting it more and more then it will become thicker. you will get used to it after a while [= just be prepared!!! if u wear pads it wont leak through,

good luck!

April 30, 2011 8:55 AM  
Anonymous 2cool said...

well i haven't got "aunt flow" yet but i love to swim so thank's jemma you help me a lot! =]

May 9, 2011 12:23 PM  
Anonymous 2cool said...

hey um those of u who have your period what is is like?? i mean i think i will get it soon i don't know how did u girls know??

May 9, 2011 12:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i know i always wonderd that 2!

May 18, 2011 6:35 PM  
Anonymous Rachel said...

when i got my period, i was at dinner when i felt--well, wet. so i went to the bathroom and looked, and it was red. so i got a pad out of my cabinet (i had been preparing) and i knew how to use it. for the first few days before my period, i had dull stomach aches and i was kind of crabby. hope this helps!!!

May 19, 2011 7:49 PM  
Anonymous 2 cool and thx u said...

thank YOU VERY MUCH that will help.

May 23, 2011 11:14 AM  
Anonymous Kiley said...

When I got my period, I was at a sleepover with a few of my friends. And like Rachel said, I felt wet. I thought I had wet myself, so I went into the bathroom to check. I saw blood, and I knew that Aunt Flo had just payed me a visit. So I looked in the bathroom for some pads, but all I found was a tampon, and I didn't know how to use them and I did not want to learn at my friends house! So what I did was rolled up about 30 squares of toilet paper and put it in my underwear! I walked into my friends bedroom like nothing happened. I sat down, and then after like 10 minutes I felt a little wet, and I guess I had leaked because my friend Julia told me to go with her to the bathroom. When we got in she said "Kiley do you have your period?" I blushed and said "Yeah I just got it here! I put toilet paper in my underwear cause I didn't bring any pads." She said "oh, I don't have any pads, my older sis does but she only has 1 left, same with my mom and they have their periods now." So she asked around the room and one of the girls let me use theirs. Periods arent too scary:)

May 25, 2011 1:37 PM  
Anonymous 2 cool and thx u aka 2cool said...

thanks again its all so helpful :) :)

May 26, 2011 9:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

it was helpful for me to i have sleepovers all the time i dont want what happend to you to happen to me so i am goign to keep a couple in my bag that i usally bring to the sllep over i have discharge and once it was like a pintch of blood insted of discharge do you think when i get my first period i will haev it for sure or like only have it for 3 days like anyone else? plz anwser my question and also thanx klley =))))))

May 28, 2011 4:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have a question that really needs to be answered. I'm a size 32 in bras. I was a medium and I had red marks all along the end of my bra. I got a size 32 and they fit really well the first day, but now they HURT and are really tight. I have red marks again, and I don't want to buy new ones. I feel really awkward whenever I'm at sleepovers because the discussion goes to breast sizes at one point, and everyone complains and says that their flat, then they look at me and say I'm totally lucky. It's not big, but to them it's totally huge and I feel really awkward. please help!

May 31, 2011 5:39 PM  
Anonymous LiLi said...

Ok story about when I first got my period!!
ok So I had been at the beach with my aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, and my two cousins. We had spent the whole day at the beach and it was totally fun! when we got back to the condo we bought on the beach I went to the bathroom, showered and put my robe on. I had walked on the porch to air dry my hair. I went back to the bathroom when it was just barely damp and put my clothing on. Then I walked to the entertainment room and watched a movie with my cousins. It was mondo fun! Then my stomach started to hurt! I thought I had some gas (since I went against my aunt and refused to get out of the water for lunch). I went to the bathroom to try to relieve myself. I only peed and when I was wiping I looked down at the toilet paper and it had blood mixed with some discharge. I got tons of excuses in my head like, maybe its a reaction to all the salt water or maybe im allergic to jellyfish stings. But I knew it was my period. I was going to ask my cousin for a pad but then I got a little embarassed so I put a bunch of toilet paper in my panties and walked back out. I told them I had been trying to find my special comb but thought i left it home. the next day my cousins drove me back to my house and i forgot all about the blood. then i had to use the restroom. i waked in and saw a load of blood and came out and shakily said "mom theres blood in my underwear" my mother took me to her room and said why dont you use one of my pads and i can go up to the store and get you tampons? me and my mom usually had conversation that other kids might think to personal to have with their parents but i say nobody knows everything i need as much as my mother. i had already told her i prefer tampons since i feel they are more clean. but to clear maybe somethings. i dont know about other people but my first period was not enough to leak all the way through my sweats. second the only pain i got was cramps which arent that bad and a headache still not that bad. mine lasted 4 days. my cousins was seven. doesnt leak once the whole day but every now and then during the day. i would say periods last 4-7 days in my peersonal exprience but even 3 is nothing to worry about no to people are exactly alike!

May 31, 2011 8:03 PM  
Anonymous 2 cool and thx u said...

:)thx u this all helps so much! i would like to thank Rachel, Kiley and Lili!!!!!!!!!!

June 3, 2011 7:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pads=What I'm going to wear when i get my period
Tampoons=What's going to RUIN my life when I get my period! I LOVE TO SWIM!

June 23, 2011 5:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK, annonymous girl with size 32's- how weird! I am a size 34 now but i have ran out of bras at my dad's house. I had to wear a size 32. So, I sat in a fedle position and stretched the bra over my knees and onto my legs when wearing the bra. It stretched. Or just ask your mom to get a new one

June 23, 2011 5:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes periods do really suck. But the worst is to start your first time when your camping!!! And my mom didnt have pads and my aunt only had pantie liners! It was a vert heavy flow also. And when i go campng i love to go swimming and boating. It was torture! Im thirteen and dont wear tampons, but im trying to. Its a long proccess. Ugh, its hard to be a girl!

June 29, 2011 6:45 AM  
Anonymous lilybug said...

i justgot stumach cramps. i think my . is coming...... my mom had hers when she was 9. im 9. any advice 4 first timers??????????????:-D

July 4, 2011 11:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my I'm scared to try tampons. I'm just not going to swim during my period. And to lilybug, don't worry your first period is usually a light one. Just be prepared make sure to have some pads or tampons in your backpack or locker just in case it happens at school. There is also no shame in asking a female teacher or nurse about it if it in fact does happen in school. Just talk to your mom about it and be prepared for it when it comes. Hope I helped! :)

July 6, 2011 5:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good advise

July 6, 2011 5:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well , my period first came when I was at my basketball game and I wanted to go to the bathroom sooo I checked my underwear cause it felt weird sooo I looked and it was kindda redish and brownish soooo I avoided it and thought it was poop sooo the next day it happend agian and I got worried and called my mom soooo she said I got my period and ran to the store to get me some pads


P.s yes u do feel stomach cramps when first beginning to get it


Question - I am going to Florida today and wanna swim but got my period sooo should I use a tampon or just go inside and let it disappear because I did that the last time and it disappeared just like that

July 22, 2011 2:08 AM  
Anonymous Deitra! :D said...

alright im 12 and i started my period the day after easter. im soo scared to wear tampons! and im in this horrible situation where i want to go swimming but my period is really heavy flow, and i have no tampons with me! and im swimming with my cousin at my grandmas house. i would ask my cousin but shes only 9 and havent gotten her period yet ,lucky her, and i would ask my grandma but she doesnt hae any cuz i asked her if she did and said no. grrr....and me and my cousin go swimming here like everyday and i dont want to tell her i dont want to go in! PLEASE HELP ME!!! D:

July 26, 2011 12:00 PM  
Anonymous Catherine said...

This is the story of my first period... I was going bicycling, and I felt a little wet. (you know where)so I stopped at a rest stop, and what do you know, blood. I asked my dad for 50 cents, quickly. I bought a tampon because I knew how to use one from studying. I was all right, but my underwear was a little damp. When I got back, I told my mom and she got me future sanitary products.

THE END

July 26, 2011 3:31 PM  
Anonymous Lilybug said...

Thanks anonymous 4 awnsering my ?.It helps a lot :-D

July 28, 2011 2:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What if u do have your period in the pool are u supposed to be worried...? i am on 12 going onto 13 but i am so anxious for my period!!

August 7, 2011 10:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi im going to sone waterslides soon and i think i might get my period and ive never got it before and im kinda scared to get my period and to use a tampon... if i get it before i go are there any other options then to sit out ?

August 22, 2011 2:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

don't swim with a pad!!! also wear a tampon... once you get outta the water you might wanna change it... but if ur scared to use a tampon (its not that bad just takes some time to get used to) just don't go in to the water! :-( i know it sucks...

hope this helped,
crazydaydreamer

August 22, 2011 1:08 PM  
Anonymous Sofia said...

I had my period yesterday :S I'm not going to use a tampon for the time being, because I'm 11 and I don't like the idea of them. I guess I'll just have to get my parents to book the summer holiday around my periods. Lol :)

September 3, 2011 10:54 AM  
Anonymous Madison said...

haha hi(: i have read all of these and theyre all amazing answers. dont sweat about not being able to swim. trust me im on the swim team and ive been on it for 6 years. i had my first period this year...durinng swim season.i skipped pratice for 4 days until i finally told my mom. she taught me how to use a tampon and now its all ok. people think tampons hurt but really they dont. if u do it wrong it does so ask your mom how to do it right.

September 25, 2011 3:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

STORY TIME
it was a average thursday me and my bff came and sat at a table
we were enjoying our lunch then suddenly three boys and a tom boy girl came to our table here is wat im going to call them throughtout this story the boys who i have a crush on so ill call him crush then the boy i hate so i will call him avoid then the girl i will call her cc since thats wat everyone calls her tht and then theres the boy who took my lunch box ill call him stealer ok so we just sat there eating and suddenly he snatched my lunch box i tried to get it bak but i couldnt and everyone started cracking even crush started laughing then he took my york and rumaged thruough my lunch box (good thing i didnt have my period then) and he took my york as i said before then he gave it bak but then i had to get some milk and when i got back my chair was gone it wasnt steal it was this other boy everything was just getting worser then stealer told hate to sit next to me and that just sucked and then we started to tease him but he is such a crybaby and then again stealer ordered everyone at the table to point and stare at me it was so awkward even my bff did wat he told at that moment i wanted to cry but i held it in and didnt speak for a moment and just like that lunch was over thank god it was the most embarassing and worst day in my life
HELP does hate his real name alex like me or just hate me
i used to like him like in the 1st grade but then i started to like crush(will) now i call that a bad day

JUST HELP PLZ I hate boys
well not really but oh well



WHAT KIND OF BOY I LIKE
1 cute,hot,adorable,charming
2 cofindence,sense of humor,is his self
3 smart,active,creative


well help me whenever you guys can thx



yours truly HALO








LOVE no haterzzz

:D

September 30, 2011 12:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I tried to go swimming with a pad once because I was afraid to insert a tampon and well... it didn't work out so well and my pad got all mushy and slimy so don't try that! If you are reading this you might just be learning this ''the easy way''! I hoped that this helped!

Think pink!

October 4, 2011 2:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't wait to get my period lots if ppl are afraid vut im very excited me and my mum talk about it alot and I find the tampon situation a bit daunting. But I guess I'll learn. when I was at school my friend got her period during p.e she just went down to sick bay and they gave her a pad me and my friend were really berboys so when I got home I put a couple of pads in. The next day I found myfriend rummAging through my bag where she found the pads she just stared at me and I made a lie thet my mum had made me. It was really awkward I have been having breast development for a couple of years and my discharge probes about 7 to 8 months. I wish you all luck and good dy to you all :)

October 9, 2011 6:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

idk how to ask for tampons and i really dont wanna go thru the "how to use it" lesson, so i just dont swim on my period. its really not that big a deal. i mean, one week of no swimming? no biggie :) plus its not like summer lasts the whole year so yeah like i said its no biggie!

October 9, 2011 3:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ive always been kinda tempted to swim with a pad, but i figured ppl wud be able to see the wings, and itd get all heavy and weighed down and look really awkward when u got outta the pool

October 9, 2011 5:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You guys are Lucky to have your period I am 11 had discharge for almost 6 months and get cramps alot. But I am always worrying about getting my period because I have never had it before it would be nice if you could tell me some of your first period stories and I want you to answer some questions

1. Is there a tampon that is long and slim

2. Is diohere a sign of first periods

3. How do you know a month before your first period

October 24, 2011 7:53 PM  
Anonymous Rhonnie said...

!.A: Yes! There are slim tampons!
2.A:sorry. what's diohere?
3.A: Well, you might have breakout right before your period. it depends on the person.

I'm sorry I can't tell you more! I haven't had my period yet either though
Love Rhonnie

November 7, 2011 11:09 AM  
Anonymous 2cool said...

I love swimming but I'm scared to use a tampon..... What do y'all suggest?

December 26, 2011 10:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i went to water country usa and i had my period it was really light so it wasnt that bad i just changed it evry now and then

December 27, 2011 5:28 PM  
Anonymous Gym Girl said...

I have the feeling I'll get my period soon. But I think that tampons hurt, I already have my period, and the first time I tried using a tampon, it hurt really bad, it was small, and had a rounded tip, so I don't see why it would hurt. Everyone else says they don't, but they do! Any tips for putting them in easier?

December 27, 2011 7:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Putting in a tampon is something you should only do if you are comfortable with it. If you relax it hurts less and make sure you put it in diagonally. You can sit down or stand with oe leg on the toilet whatever suits you. Hope I helped ;)

January 1, 2012 11:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, when I get my 7th one in June, I'm sitting out. I am way too afraid to use tampons. I'm a tomboy too but I develop faster than any of the other girls. I'm not even sure if anyone else has theirs :(.

January 1, 2012 3:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Im sure someone else has. Every girl is different and don't be afraid to use a tampon. Justr relax. There is hardly any chance of it getting stuck.Ask your mom for advice. :)

January 3, 2012 10:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well I got my period out of the blue. But now I know when I'm going to get it because I break out and get cramps a few weeks before. And I get discharge after my period. the only part the hurts about periods is just cramps. Almost 2 years(in June) I've had my period. Th first like 1/2 year was't so bad because they started 6 weeks apart then I had one in July and didn't have another until Christmas. Now they've worked themselves out. And sometimes they come a week later then I predicted them. The only problem I have is someone seeing my pad through my pants as school(like glance at your butt by accident and see a buldge). Just don't put pads in water. I never did, but it's just not meant to be that way. :) I'm on my period now. They can last 3-7(sometimes more) days. Mine normally are about 6 days. I thought my first was over and took my pad off and went an hour away. On the way homeIgotsome cramps and went pee at a store and BOOM! Period wasn't over. So I was about 45 minuteds from home and mom had to hurry home so I could get a pad on. It happened again on another occasion. Now I wait until I'm completly sure. And sometimes you do soak through pads. Just don't worry!

January 14, 2012 8:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

tHIS REALLY HELPS!!!!

January 19, 2012 4:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

really, im very nervous bout my period. scared. so scared

January 20, 2012 11:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A little tip about pads and pools:
They don't mix. A little advice from someone who has tried it before. It may feel good at first since your swimming in the pool and with friends, but in the end, it feels like your wearing a diaper that is on over load. My advice? Either get a tampon or just skip the water. Hang out with cute pool side boys or play in the sand or find something else to do.
That's my say.

January 20, 2012 6:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Im just "spotting" and really want to go swimming. I heard that you should use a tampon only when you have ypur full period. I might get my period before i go to the pool or after . Should i use a tampon ????

January 29, 2012 1:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To: 1:04 am comment

If you are spotting I would wear a tampon because you never know.

Solve
Mother Nature = unpredictable


Answer, unpredictable

January 30, 2012 4:41 PM  

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