Weirdly enough, I've had two separate conversations about menstruation during OWS events this week. Unsurprisingly, there isn't a lot of information out there about swimming or paddling for a swimmer while menstruating. I'm not sure if that's because women's bodies or menstruation are less frequently studied overall, or if people think that someone menstruating just opts not to participate, and therefore, doesn't need to be included in research. Either way, this affects a large portion of the open water swimming community, and it deserves discussion.
Let me start off by saying that quite a few people do choose to opt out of swimming while on their periods. For some, the right products aren't available to maintain comfort and be effective for longer training durations. For others, periods are absolutely excruciating and strip you of the will to live. But the menstruation train sometimes chugs along on its own schedule, and sometimes, even the most careful planning still leads to "Aunt Flo" coming during a swim event. Whether you're a swimmer or support paddler, having to deal with a period on top of everything else is hard.
There are only a handful of products that might withstand the flood: tampons, menstrual cups, and period swimwear. With each of those, the duration of your swim or paddle might exceed capacity, and there's really no effective way to swap anything out mid-swim. For swimmers, the best route may be to use whatever is comfortable, knowing that past a certain number of hours, you may have to free bleed. It might be unsettling, but in an open water swimming environment, that may be the least invasive and most painless approach. I recommend planning to keep your body fueled during the swim, and having washable or dark towels or clothing for after you get out of the water.
I spoke with a gynecologist, and here's what she recommended:
Make sure you speak with your gyn or primary care doc about whether to add in supplements like iron, potassium, or magnesium in the days leading up to your swim to help maintain energy levels and reduce pain
Test if taking an anti-inflammatory before or during your swim helps with any period pain
Fuel your body before and during the swim - make sure you're still taking in adequate nutrition even if you might be feeling bloated or have cramps
Make sure to dispose of the used tampon or empty a menstrual cup out as soon as you can. It's unlikely, but possible that some of the water you're swimming in was absorbed by the tampon, and there's no need to keep that inside your body longer than necessary.
Bring a hot compress or heating pad with you to help with recovery. Some athletes find themselves more drained after competing or training on their periods, and heat applied to the abdomen can help with discomfort and help you rest.
For paddlers, the recommended products will likely work a little better, but will also be equally inaccessible while crewing for your swimmer. The gynecologist had some words of wisdom:
Don't dehydrate yourself - make sure you're staying hydrated, even if it means having to pee in the kayak. You can bring a urination device or sponge to allow you to pee more comfortably, but don't hold it or dehydrate, as that can harm your bladder and kidneys.
Try to stay dry - if you plan on wearing a pad, period underwear, or absorbent underwear, you might be inviting a yeast infection or UTI if you sit in a damp environment for a long time. If you have a way of keeping the area dry, you'll be more comfortable.
Test anti-inflammatories - well before the event, see if any pain or discomfort can be solved with any over the counter medication so you're able to keep the main focus on the safety of your swimmer. Speak with your doctor if you need suggestions on what might work for you.
I hope that the swim community is able to come up with some better solutions for anyone menstruating, whether they're in the water or supporting from a boat, because what's currently available isn't ideal. In the meantime, sympathize with your fellow swimmers and menstruate in solidarity. If you're participating in a larger event, you're likely not menstruating alone!
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