Rules, bathing and swimming. these got ideas you should no longer believe

If the rumors about the rules have been published in recent years, then this completely physiological phenomenon continues to suffer, despite popular beliefs. Ancestral shame associated with the menstrual blood taboo contributed greatly to this. In summer, many women hesitate to bathe in the sea or fresh water. Between inhibitions and good reflexes of acceptance, we distinguish the true from the false.

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Bathing during menstruation increases the risk of infection

False. Swimmers can be reassured that swimming, whether in salt or chlorinated water, is safe. “There is no urogynecological infectious risk, assures the medical gynecologist of the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (Insep) Carol Maiter. The mixing of water in the sea, due to the current, is such that it significantly limits any pollution. Only exceptional microbiological contamination, such as occurred this summer near Caen due to sewage flow, can cause health authorities to ban swimming for everyone, menstruating or not. The presence of chlorine in swimming pools has an antibacterial effect and therefore limits the spread of microorganisms.

Water stops blood flow

False. As magical as it sounds, water pressure does not interrupt menstrual flow. If some women get the impression that this flow intensifies after bathing, then this phenomenon will simply be associated with gravity. “Blood flow can slow down a bit if you lie in the water for a long time to swim,” explains Dr. Carol Maiter. In fact, only fairly cold water below 14°C can cause vasoconstriction. In other words, blood vessels and capillaries contract when exposed to cold. But this remains a rare phenomenon, not to mention that the water temperature on our French shores is quite temperate in summer.

However, if the sensation of heavy menstrual discharge (or water) occurs and recurs when exiting the water, this may be an indicator of a lack of tone in the perineum, which is poorly strained during swimming movements. In this case, the gynecologist invites you to refer to a specialized health care professional (doctor, physiotherapist or midwife) to carry out a perineal assessment and take advantage of the appropriate rehabilitation.

Cold water relieves menstrual pain

False. On the contrary, the cold is clearly not a friend of the rules. “It can increase the threshold for sensitivity to pain, because normally when the water temperature is too cold, the muscles tense up in contact with it,” says gynecologist Carol Maiter. In temperate and warm waters, the opposite is true: the heat promotes muscle relaxation and therefore makes menstruation less painful.” Outside of the water temperature, moderate physical activity such as swimming will have a more pain-relieving effect on menstrual cramps. “After half an hour, the pain disappears due to the release of endorphins, the hormones of happiness,” says the specialist.

Rules affect sports

True and false. Sleep disturbances, bloating, headaches… Periods are often accompanied by other discomforts that can affect sports practice. These symptoms are associated with a drop in the hormones progesterone and estrogen and can affect physical fitness, depending on their presentation. “You may be more tired, especially during endurance,” says Dr. Carol Maiter. But if you want to exercise, you can maintain your performance, assures Insep’s health specialist, provided you set up regular and moderate swimming sessions. It is clear that we are adapting. instead of doubling our length goal, we’d rather stabilize our athletic gains, work on the technique of the movement, like improving our crawl, or we might split our lengths.

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In case of heavy periods, the gynecologist calls for caution. “This type of menstruation should be a medical concern because it can lead to the risk of anemia, which is a lack of iron that leads to fatigue and shortness of breath. In addition, this significant fluid loss is accompanied by dehydration and thus contributes to muscle spasms,” warns Carol Meitre. Therefore, swimming offshore is not recommended, it is better to do your crawl parallel to the beach or accompanied.

A tampon is the most suitable hygienic protection for swimming

False. A menstrual cup or “cup” would be just as effective, confirms the gynecologist. Made of flexible silicone, it is placed inside the vagina to block menstrual flow like a tampon. There are different sizes of menstrual cups to better fit each person’s anatomy.

Another alternative, just as ecological and more practical, the menstrual swimsuit works on the same principle as panties: several layers of tissue fit and absorb the blood. Everything is guaranteed without smell, without the feeling of moisture and above all without the “layer effect”; the fabric does not absorb water and does not swell upon contact. On the other hand, the absorption capacity of most jerseys is 1 to 2 tampons, it is better to have a light flow or use the menstrual jersey at the beginning or end of the period. “Their purchase price (between 30 and 60 euros on average) still seems a little prohibitive to me,” judges Dr. Carol Maitre.

The buffer or cup should be systematically changed after each bath.

CORRECT: “The tampon cord soaked in salt or chlorinated water can potentially irritate the mucous membranes, it’s a matter of individual sensitivity,” admits the gynecologist. In all cases, whether you wear a tampon or a cup, sanitary protection should be changed every 4-6 hours to avoid toxic shock syndrome, a rare disease associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection.

“The ideal would be to wash with clean water, under a beach shower, dry the intimate parts well, and then change the sanitary protection, washing your hands beforehand. But, unfortunately, the facilities next to the beaches do not always allow this,” laments the gynecologist. This hygiene reflex also applies to women prone to vaginal mycosis. “Prolonged contact with wet bathing suits can contribute to them, so you dry off well when you get out of the shower or change into bathing suits,” suggests Carol Maiter.