How to swim when you're on your period but you use pads

Okay, so you literally cannot swim with a pad on. Pads are made to absorb liquid, so when you get in the water, the pad will just soak up all the pool or ocean water and be totally useless for your period blood. Plus it would get super heavy and probably fall apart, which would be like, a super disaster. No way.

So if you want to swim, you'll need something that goes inside your body to collect the blood before it gets outside. There are a few options that actually work for swimming:

• Tampons: These are awesome for swimming! They fit right inside and stop the blood before it leaves your body. You just put one in right before you get in the water, and then change it after you're done swimming. Make sure to use the lowest absorbency you need so it's comfy.
• Menstrual cups: These are little silicone cups that you fold and put inside your vagina to collect blood. They can stay in for several hours, so they're great for long swim sessions or even beach days. They have a bit of a learning curve to put in, but once you get the hang of it, they're super reliable.
• Period swimwear: This is pretty new, but it's basically like bathing suit bottoms with built-in period protection that absorbs blood. It usually works best for lighter flow days, but it's a cool option if you're not ready for something internal like a tampon or cup.

Talk to your grown-up about these options. They can help you get the right product and show you how to use it. It's totally normal to need a different product for swimming, and it just means you're prepared for anything. You got this!