Female Olympic swimmers manage periods using tampons and menstrual cups for discreet protection, hormonal birth control to skip or time periods, and specialized period swimwear, often supported by medication for cramps and open communication with teams, focusing on planning and normalization to maintain peak performance.
So if you were wondering how exactly these female Olympic gymnasts compete with their periods, you have your answer—they just deal with it and earn their medals anyway. And that's to say nothing of the added stress that a bloody leak or rogue tampon string puts on these athletes.
By tracking cycles, monitoring symptoms, and adjusting training plans accordingly, athletes can maintain peak performance and overall health. Understanding how to navigate these changes is key to optimizing health and performance, allowing athletes to compete at their best regardless of where they are in their cycle.
Period swimwear has come a LONG way!
Here are some products that most closely align with a competitive suit. Two options that we've heard work well are: Wearing a one-piece suit that is as similar as possible to a competitive swimsuit. Wearing period swimwear bikini bottoms under a regular team / competitive swimsuit.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TAMPONS FOR SWIMMING? Ultimately, the best tampon to wear swimming is the one that best suits your flow, Moxette. For example, wear a regular tampon if you have a medium flow, a super tampon if you have a heavy flow. You should only ever wear the lowest possible tampon absorbency to suit your flow.
Professional swimmers often use products like tampons or menstrual cups to absorb blood and prevent leaks. Elite swimmers may also use birth control to shift their periods. While water pressure can temporarily slow the flow of menstruation, your period doesn't stop in the water, so some form of protection is necessary.
Tampons and Menstrual Cups: Many Olympic swimmers use tampons or menstrual cups because they are discreet and do not interfere with the swimmer's hydrodynamics.
No, period blood is highly unlikely to show in a pool because water pressure temporarily slows flow, and any minor leaks get diluted and are virtually invisible in chlorinated water, but using a tampon, menstrual cup, or period swimwear is recommended for comfort and to contain it, as pads don't work well in water. Leaks are more likely when getting out of the water.
To wrap it up, period pants do not smell, but it is important to change your period pants regularly and wash them regularly to keep them fresh and clean for years to come!
Swimwear has a special PU layer , a thin, quick-drying, absorbent layer that absorbs light spotting while remaining water-repellent. This prevents your bottoms from getting soaked in the pool.
Organic Pads/Tampons
If your flow isn't too heavy, using organic pads or tampons is an easy fix to your monthly visit from Aunt Flo. Since leotards are pretty tight and fitting, they will typically stay in place and/or do the trick during practice or a competition.
Approximately 67%- 91% of elite female athletes are eumenorrheic [14,15] and about half of eumenorrheic athletes do not use HC [16,17]. This suggests that a considerable proportion of female athletes may experience cyclic hormonal fluctuations.
Context: The female athlete triad (the triad) is an interrelationship of menstrual dysfunction, low energy availability (with or without an eating disorder), and decreased bone mineral density; it is relatively common among young women participating in sports.
Any changes in normal hormone levels can lead to menstrual dysfunction, especially in athletes. This can be caused by overtraining, stress, dieting and weight loss. Typically, menstrual dysfunction occurs when the amount of energy used by athletes exceeds the amount of energy taken in through nutrition.
What can be said with certainty is that there is no solid evidence that hormonal contraception decreases athletic performance and that many elite female athletes use hormonal contraceptives with no apparent deleterious effects.
Key takeaways: It's totally safe to swim on your period, but if you're worried about leaking, you can always use a tampon, menstrual cup, or period swimwear. In many cases, the water pressure will stop any bleeding you may have while in the swimming pool, sea, or lake.
Nonenal® (also known as 2-Nonenal) is a naturally occurring compound responsible for the distinct odor associated with aging. It typically appears after age 40, becoming more noticeable in both men and women.
Some men claim to notice changes in their partner's scent during ovulation or menstruation. This could be due to hormonal cues rather than conscious scent detection. Men have varying degrees of olfactory sensitivity, so some may be more attuned to these subtle shifts than others.
While it is not recommended to swim with a sanitary pad in place, both tampons and menstrual cups are completely safe to use internally. Many competitive swimmers use these options when participating in practices or events on their period. Period-friendly swimwear has also recently entered the market as an option.
Your Period, Underwater
However, while water doesn't actually stop the process of shedding your uteral lining (and the blood that comes with it), it can halt the flow of the blood coming out, making it appear as if your period stopped.
It's unlikely for your period to leak out as the pressure from the water should slow the flow of blood (7,8). If your flow is very heavy or you cough or sneeze, there's a slight chance that some blood may leak out. The reassuring news is that it's unlikely to be noticeable in the pool or sea.
Anyone with their period can enjoy swimming without using a tampon. Alternative products like menstrual cups can also help protect against leaks. Other options include certain types of swimwear, designed to help absorb menstrual flow and prevent leaks.
While most swimmers work through their periods the way the rest of us do, some very high level athletes have been known to shift their periods so they don't occur during competition.
There really is no 'right or 'wrong' age for your teen to try tampons, once her period has arrived. Instead, it depends on individual development, comfort, and an understanding of how to use them safely.
Using a tampon when you're swimming is a great option, as it absorbs your flow from within and will keep you feeling secure. Pop a fresh one in just before you jump in the pool or sea and you'll be fine.