Is it Safe to Swim with a Tampon?
Can you swim with a tampon? Can you swim without one?
If your period and swimming plans are about to collide, you’ve probably asked at least one of those questions (or others, like whether sharks home in on menstrual blood. We can’t be the only ones who need to know the answer!).
Let’s answer all of your burning questions. Right now. But first, know this:
You + water + your period = totally doable.
Is It Safe to Swim With a Tampon? (Yes. But Let’s Unpack That.)
Yes, you can swim with a tampon in.
Tampons are designed to stay in place — thanks to your own muscle support — and they’ll usually hold up just fine while you’re swimming, diving, or soaking in the deep end.
But here’s what doesn’t get talked about enough:
- Tampons do absorb water while swimming, including pool, ocean, or lake water.
- The string can act like a little wick, pulling that water right into your swimsuit.
- Over time, this combo can lead to irritation, sogginess, or leaks once you get out of the water.
So while tampons are technically safe for swimming, they’re not always the most comfortable or convenient option.
And that’s where we shift from survival mode…to smarter solutions.
Remember This? The One-Piece, the White Shorts, the Pool Panic
You’re fifteen. Your period shows up two days early. You’re standing poolside in borrowed white shorts, pretending everything’s fine while secretly calculating how fast you can make it to the bathroom without anyone noticing.
There’s the towel you won’t let go of. The silent check every time you stand up. The panicked moment you wonder if that weird feeling is water (or not).
There’s a certain kind of stress that hits when your cycle syncs up with swim practice, camp week, or the one weekend everyone’s heading to the lake.
And sure, technically you can still go. But try telling that to the anxious part of your brain doing tampon math and leak prevention drills.
No one wants to miss out. No one wants to be the girl who stains the towel.
You deserve better than that. And so does your daughter.
Can You Swim with a Tampon In? Yes. But…
Tampons are an option. They’re compact. Internal. Discreet. And, as long as they’re inserted properly, they usually stay put — whether you're doggy paddling or doing cannonballs.
But that doesn’t make them perfect.
Do Tampons Absorb Pool Water?
Yes. A thousand times, yes.
Tampons are built to absorb liquid. Not just menstrual blood—any liquid. And when you’re submerged in a pool, lake, or ocean, they don’t magically know the difference.
So yes, tampons will soak up water while you swim.
Even when they’re inside your body. It’s just what they do.
Waterlogged tampons = increased risk of irritation, leaking when you get out of the water, and just… general squishiness.
Not exactly what you want when you're trying to feel confident poolside.
Can a Tampon Fall Out While Swimming?
Let’s set this one straight: It’s very unlikely.
Tampons don’t just slide out. Your vaginal muscles keep them in place, even during swim practice. If you’ve inserted it correctly, you can move, swim, dive, and splash around without fear.
That said, we get it.
You bend over, adjust your suit, feel something shift… and suddenly you’re convinced your tampon’s peeking out like a white flag of surrender.
Here’s a quick tip to remember for later on: Tuck the string between your labia or trim it (just not too short—you still need to get it back out!).
Here’s the Real Catch: Tampons + Tweens = Tricky
Tampons may be the go-to advice for “how to swim on your period.” But here’s the part people don’t say out loud:
“Most tweens can’t even insert a tampon—and that’s just something a mom can’t help them do.” — Crystal Etienne, Founder of Ruby Love
Even if you love tampons for yourself, they may not be an option for your daughter.
And for kids heading off to camp or learning to manage their period on their own, asking them to master internal products under pressure isn’t just stressful — it’s often a non-starter.
That’s where real alternatives (like period swimwear) make a huge difference — for comfort, for confidence, and for independence.
Can You Swim Without a Tampon? Let’s Talk Alternatives
The short answer is yes, you can swim without a tampon.
The better answer: it depends on what you’re using instead.
Pads + Pools = Nope
Look, pads are great. They’re accessible. They’re familiar. They’re a lifesaver when you’re on the go or not ready for internal products. But in the pool? That’s a hard pass.
Pads absorb everything — fast. And that includes chlorinated water, saltwater, and whatever mystery cocktail lives at the bottom of the lake. Once soaked, they can swell, shift, leak, or worse, peek out from your suit.
You’re not trying to free-bleed in the lazy river. And you’re definitely not trying to walk around with a water-logged cotton sponge between your thighs.
That said, if you’re mostly poolside and not planning to swim much, a liner under your suit might work in a pinch.
But for actual swimming? Skip it.
Menstrual Cups Work, But Only If You Know What You’re Doing
Menstrual cups are a great eco-friendly option. They sit internally like tampons, can be worn for longer stretches, and don’t absorb water the same way.
But — and it’s a big but — they take practice.
If you’re experienced with your cup and confident in your seal? You’re golden.
But if you’re newer to using one? Or if you’re heading to summer camp, on vacation, or using shared bathrooms?
Now might not be the time to master a new skill that requires sterilization and finger gymnastics.
Why Period Swimwear Is a Game-Changer
“I invented period swimwear because I knew we needed something better—something that works in real life, not just in theory.” — Crystal Etienne, Founder, Ruby Love
Instead of relying on tampons or trial-and-error with cups, period swimwear offers built-in protection, zero guesswork, and a huge confidence boost.
What’s more, Ruby Love’s suits are water-resistant, not waterproof. (Waterproof is what you want in an umbrella, not in your swimwear.)
Waterproof means blood can’t get in…or out. Not great for something that’s supposed to absorb.
Water-resistant means it resists water but still absorbs period flow, keeping things locked in and feeling dry.
With four-layer patented construction, these suits are designed to:
- Absorb menstrual blood
- Block leaks
- Stay put through cannonballs and belly flops
- And feel like a normal, comfortable swimsuit
Whether your daughter’s headed to camp or you’re reclaiming your pool day, period swimwear means no awkward bathroom runs, no wet strings, and no extra gear to pack.
Don’t Just Take It From Us
Shape Magazine named Ruby Love the Best One-Piece Period Swimwear on the market—citing its comfort, absorbency, and leak-proof design. (Yes, we're blushing.)
Quick Myth-Busting Lightning Round: Weird But Very Real Swimming Questions
You ready? Let’s get started.
Can Swimming on Your Period Attract Sharks?
Nope. Sharks don’t care about your period.
There’s zero evidence that menstruating swimmers are at a higher risk of shark attacks.
Sweat, urine, and the general chaos of the ocean are far more interesting to them than your cycle.
Will My Tampon String Show?
It might — but it doesn’t have to.
Tuck the string between your labia before pulling on your swimsuit. If it peeks out, no need to panic.
You are allowed to exist in public with a tampon string.
No one’s judging. (And if they are, they’re the weird one, not you.)
Will I Leave a Trail of Blood in the Pool?
Not while you’re underwater.
Water pressure keeps everything in.
But once you’re back on land, gravity takes over — and that’s where leaks can sneak in.
Period swimwear has your back for exactly this moment.
Will My Swimsuit Puff Up Like a Water Balloon?
Only if you’re rocking a pad or a makeshift liner.
Ruby Love’s period swimwear is designed with four-layer tech that stays sleek, absorbent, and close to your body — no puff, no sag, no soggy diaper look.
Buying Period Swimwear for Her? You’re Healing Something for You, Too
This part’s for the moms:
You’re not just shopping for your daughter. You’re rewriting history a little — for her and for the girl you used to be.
The one who wrapped a hoodie around her waist.
The one who whispered for a pad in the school bathroom.
The one who wasn’t ready — and had to pretend she was.
Nearly two-thirds of women say they experienced first period shock.
No wonder you want something better.
And, just saying, our period swimwear isn’t just for tweens. Menstruating people of any age deserve comfort and ease, full stop.
Check Out Our Period Swimwear Collection
She deserves comfort. You deserve peace of mind.
