Tampons are the best option for swimming during menstruation as pads absorb water and may detach. Menstrual cups are an alternative but less common. Tampon use carries risks of toxic shock syndrome and potential exposure to dioxin. Asbestos is not an ingredient in tampons, but dioxin may be present.
Using a pad while swimming is safe. In fact, tampons are one of the few options available for swimming during your period. Sanitary pads cannot be used in swimming pools as they absorb water rather than menstrual flow, resulting in a bulky, waterlogged pad that is at risk of detaching from the swimsuit. Loss of menstrual flow in the pool is another realistic result of using a sanitary pad instead of a tampon while swimming.
Tampons come in a variety of sizes and absorbency, ranging from light to super based on the volume of a woman’s menstrual flow. They’re made from cotton, rayon, or a blend of both. Tampons are inserted via a woman’s finger or a plunger applicator that pushes the absorbent material into the vagina. Because they are worn internally, using a tampon while swimming is the only effective menstrual option other than a menstrual cup.
Menstrual cups aren’t as common as tampons, although they work in a similar way. This product is made from silicone, rubber or thermoplastic rubber and is inserted into the vagina via a woman’s fingers. Menstrual cups can be worn for several hours at a time and can also be washed and reused.
There are some health risks associated with tampon use. The most recognized health risk is that of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is a bacterial infection associated with leaving a tampon off for too long or using more absorbent tampon than needed. Symptoms of TSS include vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and fainting, and a rash similar in appearance to a sunburn. In some cases, TSS has led to death.
Other concerns related to tampons are the use of the ingredients dioxin and asbestos. Rumors have circulated that asbestos, a carcinogen, is an ingredient in tampons, although the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says asbestos has never been detected in tampons. However, the FDA admits that there may be traces of dioxin in the tampons. Dioxin is a chemical by-product of the bleaching process and the pad materials are usually bleached. Studies on dioxin have indicated potential links with endometriosis, infertility and cancer in women.
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