Swimming ....?! : Hi just wondered if... - Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis UK

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Swimming ....?!

Speshul profile image
11 Replies

Hi just wondered if anyone had any tips for going swimming with very heavy periods??!!! Every week I take my daughter to swimming lessons and swim with her .... Today just couldn't face it as was in a lot of pain but what worried me more was that the class lasts half an hour and I usually flood within twenty minutes at this particular point in my period so logistically didn't know how to cope with it. I am now feeling guilty and resentful as once again endo and adeno have prevented me from doing something normal with one of my kids! So .... Any if any fellow sufferers have any tips for swimming I would be grateful!

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Speshul profile image
Speshul
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11 Replies
Impatient profile image
Impatient

My tip would be to stop your periods in the long term if possible.

Depo-Provera injections, mirena coil, arm implants -whatever it takes so that you are period free all year and then you don't need to give swimming a second thought.

But harking back to the days before periods were stopped, I used the sideways expanding tampons always rather than the length way exanding ones. ie used lill-lets rather than tampax, because side ways expanding gave more protection from gushers.... however I was looking up the moon cup recently and that looks to be a viable option for swimming without worrying about the water soaking up a string and drowning the tampons.

On heavy days it wasn't unheard of for me to shove two tampons up, one behind the other - but do remember to hold on to the string of the 1st one in, so it doesn't get pushed up inside. Not an ideal situation - and of course do remember that there are then two to pull out. Don't leave one in there.

Far far better to stop the periods in the first place if that's possible - then these issues are no longer issues at all and you're free to do whatever sports you can manage.

My periods were erratic and heavy and long lasting 2-3 weeks per month - with that being stopped now on mirena - I reckon I have gained back about 8-9 months of the year free of periods. It is liberating to be rid of them and be free to do what you want to do when the little ones demand it, like swimming.

Speshul profile image
Speshul in reply to Impatient

Thanks for your very speedy reply!

I do already use Lillets super plus extra and on some days it's still not enough, especially with the mammoth clots which come through too!

It's funny you mention using more than one ... I did actually contemplate that this morning!!!!

I have an update meeting with the docs in a week to discuss various options since my recent lap so will keep in mind your suggestions. Many thanks

Hells83bells profile image
Hells83bells

I backed to back my pill. I still got breakthrough bleeding but wasn't nearly as heavy a flow as my normal period.

Shehulk profile image
Shehulk

Have you tried the instead cup? I have started using them 2 months ago and I love them. They should last longer than tampons and have no strings. It does take a bit to get use to but once you do it is really easy. If you are squeamish it might not be for you as it can be a bit messy getting them out at the beginning but if you are not definitely worth trying x

Speshul profile image
Speshul in reply to Shehulk

Thanks for the advice ... What are they and where do you get them from?!

Shehulk profile image
Shehulk in reply to Speshul

It is a menstrual cup, an alternative to tampons. You can get them online, I got mine from Amazon but you can also get them from other places, I belive they also have them at booths online. X

Speshul profile image
Speshul in reply to Shehulk

Thank you, will investigate!

Shehulk profile image
Shehulk in reply to Speshul

There are a few types of menstrual cups, the ones I used are called instead cup and I have found them really good once you get used to them. I also get.a lot of spotting between periods too that is not heavy enough for tampons and they have been really helpful for that too. Hope you find something that helps you x

Shehulk profile image
Shehulk in reply to Speshul

There are a few types of menstrual cups, the ones I used are called instead cup and I have found them really good once you get used to them. I also get.a lot of spotting between periods too that is not heavy enough for tampons and they have been really helpful for that too. Hope you find something that helps you x

Speshul profile image
Speshul

Thank you

Kate11 profile image
Kate11

Think about sth that can motivated you like this kck.st/1CJnSZC

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