My school goes on an annual water park trip and if I get my period at the water park I’ll be super embarrassed if my blue swimsuit is suddenly red

Okay, so literally the worst nightmare, right? But you've got options, and you can totally rock that water park trip even if your period shows up. No stress! You just need a different kind of period product for swimming.

You can totally swim on your period if you use a tampon or a menstrual cup. These go inside your body, so they collect the blood before it can get out. That means no leaks in your swimsuit and no one even has to know you're on your period. Pads and period underwear won't work for swimming because they soak up water too, which makes them really heavy and leaky.

Tampons

Tampons are probably what most people use for swimming. They're pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it, and they come with applicators that make it even easier. You just insert it, and it absorbs the blood. You'll want to change it every few hours, especially after swimming. If you haven't tried tampons yet, maybe practice a couple of times before your trip so you feel super confident.

Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are another amazing option. They're like little flexible cups that you fold and insert. Instead of absorbing, they collect the blood, and you can wear them for way longer than tampons, up to 12 hours! That means you might not even have to empty it during your water park day. They can take a little more practice to get in and out, but once you figure it out, they're super comfortable and totally leak-proof.

Whichever you choose, make sure to bring a little bag with extra products, and maybe even a spare swimsuit or dark-colored shorts just in case. You'll be totally fine, I promise! If you're not sure when your period might arrive, there's a quiz on this site that can help you get a rough idea: how close is my first period?