How Tampons Stopped Me Swimming on My Period

Swimming has shaped pretty much my entire life. The early mornings, late nights, competitions, and that familiar smell of chlorine – it’s all part of who I am. And, like many female swimmers, I relied on tampons to manage my period. They were a lifeline for little teenage me.

But, after I forgot about a tampon once, swimming on my period? Yeah, that stopped fast. That one tampon changed everything – it messed with my health and started to interfere with my competitive swimming. And I wasn’t about to give that up, but something had to give.

The Tampon

I’m not going to pretend that this was some dramatic, horror-movie story. It was more like a slowly growing discomfort that I ignored, until I couldn’t anymore. For years, I used tampons when swimming – just like most of my friends. And if a competition ran long or I was in a rush to get home, I’d sometimes leave one in a little longer than I should’ve – and I was ok (though I definitely don’t recommend it – it’s a risky business).

Then one time, I realised that I’d forgotten to change one for almost a month. Yes, a month. This wasn’t a planned thing – just a terrible oversight that almost landed me in hospital with Toxic Shock Syndrome (a “life-threatening condition” (Toxic…, 2023)). Luckily, I caught it early and got treatment, but the experience has stuck with me.

After that, tampons became a whole different ball game. Every time I used one, I’d get sick. And this wasn’t just a little discomfort – it sidelined me from training every time.

So, tampons became off-limits for me, and suddenly swimming on my period wasn’t as straightforward as it used to be. I was forced to rethink what was possible – and what I was willing to accept.

Redefining My Routine

After the scare, something shifted. So, swimming got complicated fast.

• Pads in a swimsuit? Out of the question.

• Period Swimwear? But everyone would know I had changed my swim costume.

• The Pill? Way too many side effects.

• Free bleeding in the pool? Absolutely not!

What else could I do? These were the only products I could use safely. All that was left for me to do was: Adjust my training schedule.

For one week a month, I had to skip pool sessions and stick to land training when I could. I couldn’t join my friends when I wanted, I couldn’t train when I needed, and I couldn’t compete when it counted.

That’s why, sometimes, I would wear a tampon anyway. Every time I would hope that it’d be fine, that I wouldn’t pay for it later. But I always did. Every time I tried, I’d end up having to pick up the pieces instead of picking up my pace.

I had to accept that training, for me, had changed forever – and all because of one, stupid tampon. And the hardest part? Accepting that missing training or competitions on my period was ok. For a competitive athlete, that was a tough pill to swallow.

Why We Need to Talk More About Periods in Sport

If a single tampon could start so many problems for me – someone with decent knowledge, access to resources, and support – then how many athletes are suffering in silence?

In what feels like everywhere, periods are still considered as private and embarrassing, especially in sport. But managing periods shouldn’t just be a “woman’s problem”.

So, changes need to happen. And here are some things that I think could make a difference:

• Teach tampon safety properly: More realistic and diverse guidance is needed – don’t just tell young swimmers to “use tampons in the pool”

• Support better period product options in sport: Things like menstrual cups and period swimwear are game-changers and no one seems to know about them. That needs to change

• Make period talk normal in teams: Athletes shouldn’t feel isolated and ashamed about their periods; we need to open up conversations for them

• Don’t overlook period care in athlete wellbeing: Coaches, trainers, and organisations need to acknowledge and support this fully

Period health deserves a spot alongside nutrition, mental health and injury prevention in sport.

Still Swimming, But Smarter and Stronger

My tampon scare didn’t stop me from swimming – just from swimming on my period. And, in the end, some good came out of it.

I’ve learnt a lot about my body, my boundaries, and what it really means to be a female athlete. I now know that sometimes strength isn’t about going through discomfort, but about adapting and advocating for your health.

Though I no longer swim competitively, swimming is still a passion of mine. Now, I can swim smarter, safer, and with a new perspective on wellbeing. And I’ve learnt that looking after my body comes first, no matter what.

If you’re struggling with the same or similar challenges, know this: you are not alone. Speak up, try alternatives, and remember that no swim is worth risking your health.

References

Toxic shock syndrome. (2023). NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/