Is it OK to swim on my period?

Yes, you can swim on your period with period proof swimwear! Period swimsuits are specifically designed for use in water. This is the perfect swimwear for teens or tweens who aren't ready for tampons for their menstrual period or who are on board with helping reduce single use waste.

Obviously I've been using Cheeky Period Panties as period underwear for some years now.  Others in the team have previously worn our 'Sassy' period pants as bikini bottoms, but when I heard that we were designing swimsuits, I was SO excited!

Waterproof swimwear for periods and bladder weakness!

If only I had one of these period swimsuits in my ten years of swimming teaching! No more leaping out cross legged, snatching a tampon and towel and trying to avoid the throng of mums keen to talk about their Olympic skilled toddler offspring!

I have struggled with tampons as period protection when swimming the whole time (TMI DISCLAIMER) here are some of my many incidents - 

• Taught for 4hrs knowing I was leaking every time I came up the steps for rubber duckies!
• Stashed tampons in the loo and had someone help themselves leaving me stranded soaking wet with a class waiting for me in the pool
• Tied two together and somehow wedged them both in! Think dentists and cotton wool in your cheeks! D R Y I N G
• Discreetly tried to change a tampon in a cubicle and launched a clot into the adjacent occupied stall - worst moment ever!
• I am also allergic to them! SO fun!!!

Now there is an end in sight! I vow never to wear a tampon again and you can too!

Period proof swimsuit review!

This is me! I have worn our new costume three times now. Once when my period was due, and twice while it was here. I am over the moon to avoid tampons! It fits beautifully, the adjustable straps mean I could contain my giant boobs and have them still look happy and perky!

And good coverage meant I wasn't dragging at the bum the whole time meaning the 'seal' was maintained! The outer just repelled the water, my kids splashed me and it just rolled off. No leakage at all to report! This was a play swim on a Monday night where I mostly stood shivering in hip deep water. 

So I took it up a notch and wore it to my masters club swimming session. Again, it performed! I wore it for ten minutes before getting in, swam for half an hour - frontcrawl, backstroke, breaststroke, tumble turns galore! Then pottered around on the side before my shower. 10/10 totally leak proof and no irritation!

School swimming lessons no longer need to be avoided which makes it really great period swimwear for teens. We've already had it tested by 3 teenagers at school swimming lessons and it gained a HUGE thumbs up!

With nothing to give it a way as a sanitary product, the costume is a gorgeous flattering full body shape with support in the bust and no obvious bulging in the absorbent areas!

This costume is perfect if you are planning a day at the beach and your period makes an appearance, or if you want to chill in a friends hot tub, great for lane swimmers who don't want to have to skip a week once a month!

They're also quick drying too, perfect for holidays when you might wear the same swimsuit for a few days in a row.

How do period swimsuits work?

Period swimsuits work in a similar way to period pants. The outer nylon fabric is treated to make it repel water so there is no risk of water getting in and mixing with your flow - immerse yourself in water with the confidence that you can forget about your period. The gusset of the costume has an athletic wicking fabric plus absorbent lining for fast absorption into the core!

In sizes 4-24 we can take you from period swimwear for tweens on their first period to past menopause to catch those giggle and sneeze leaks! With double adjustable straps I fit my 34GG into my normal size 14 AND felt supported!

Does period swimwear work for heavy flow? 

Yes, period swimwear works for heavy flow.  We estimate that our swimming costume for periods can hold 2 tampons worth of flow or equivalent of urine. If you suffer with particularly heavy flow days, expect to wear for less time or have a back up along for the ride - perfect time for a menstrual cup!

Does period swimwear work? 

YES, period swimwear works! Our tester Alison was a big fan:  "I’ve worn this at least 7 times now. Once in the pool and 6 times in the sea. I have it on for at least 30 mins before swimming, and because the bust support is good, I can wear it without a bra.

Previously I have worn a bra underneath while travelling, and then have to try and remember to take it off before swimming. I have forgotten to do this at least once! I have to walk to the beach and want decent boob support.

I have stress incontinence and feel very confident wearing this. I’m also perimenopausal and my periods are unpredictable. After 2 months without one, I now have had had a week long one. So the suit has been fantastic! I just don’t have to worry about being on my period. I’ve stopped using tampons or moon cups so usually avoided swimming for a few days. Not anymore!

I’m in the water for up to 30 minutes and have had no problems at all. A surprise bonus is that usually, when walking into the icy water, there is an ‘ouch’ moment when the water level reaches the crotch, but not with this suit!! It either stops the water coming in or slows it down enough that the cold water isn’t cold when reaching the sensitive area! Which is reassuring.

When I take the suit off, the padded area isn’t noticeably saturated or heavy. I usually abandon the suit, inside out on the beach while I fumble into my clothes, and nobody could tell by looking at it, that I was either on my period or wearing a special swim suit.

Absolutely delighted with this period swim suit! Does what it says on the tin.

Works for little leaks as well as periods. Stylish but still practical. Adjustable. 9.5 out of 10....... I’m so pleased cheeky wipes are considering expanding their range. Girl power!!" Alison Nov '21

And Tara gave it a trial as a swimming teacher - 

"Costume is great, does what it needs too, and comfy too, it arrived with perfect timing !! Great product!" 

One thing is important with period swimwear (as with ANY swimwear!)...ensure that you thoroughly wash your swimsuit immediately after use to remove chlorine.  Otherwise the chlorine will literally EAT your swimsuit.

We hope you've enjoyed our Cheeky period swimwear blog and we'd love to hear your swimming with periods horror stories, or love some feedback if you have tried our period swimming costume - let us know in the comments below. If you've got questions about any of our period products, fill out our questionnaire and Kirstin will get back to you with her recommendations and many handy tips.

If you enjoyed this we think you would like this blog on Top 6 Period pants reviews!

As always, if you're unsure of what you need to make the switch, please do drop the team a line or use the online chat function. The team all use the products themselves and just LOVE to chat pee poo and periods, all day long, nothing is TMI and we all love to overshare based on our own experiences...

About the Author: Kirstin Scriven is part of the Customer Experience team at Cheeky Wipes, which since 2008 has been selling the original reusable wipes kit. She is mum to 3 and loves the forest, the sea and the hills!

Along with the rest of our crack team, she spends most days talking about poo, pee and periods and loves a chance to overshare. The business was recognised with a Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2021, celebrating their hard work over the last 13 years.