Menstrual cup when swimming
I finally decided to try a menstrual cup last year and it took me a while to get used to it but now I have finally figured it out and I love it.
The only problem is I work as a swimming teacher so I have to be in the water a lot on my period. I thought the cup would work when swimming as it says water shouldn’t get in. But when I tried it when I started back at work it didn’t work.
When I got out and pulled out the cup it was full of water. I didn’t understand cause when I wear it outside the water it never leaks if I have it all the way open. I’m also worried that it could be damaging to have chlorinated water inside me but also if water is coming in then is blood coming out? Also when I climb out I can sometimes feel the water coming out the cup which feels horrible. I’m not sure how to fix this, do I need a bigger size? Do I need to put it higher or lower? Any help would be great
Hello There!
Hmmm, this is one is beyond me. 🙁
I used to have a fellow YouTuber friend who was also a swim instructor but it looks like they stopped doing YouTube.
My thoughts….
If the cup creates a seal, it shouldn’t leak either way; in or out.
I’ve spoken to scuba and swimming instructors who say they have never experienced any issues, but it doesn’t mean it has never happened to someone else.
On a side note, it might not be pool water. Our bodies secrete more mucous (discharge) during exercise and workouts or any activity that is more physical than normal. It’s usually clear and watery and can sometimes be yellow in hue. It can be a little, and it can be a lot. Most of the time we don’t notice it because it evaporates on our underwear. A lot of new users mistake this for urine in their cups. If you’re not seeing red (hopefully not!) then it could be this.
If water is getting into the vaginal canal with a cup inserted, then it also gets into the vaginal canal when there isn’t. Either way, there’s water there. If it wasn’t causing any issues before, I don’t know that it will be any different. I’m not a doctor, so I would call and ask just to be sure.
Just to be on the safe side, I would suggest emptying the cup before and after being in the pool. Has this happened regularly? Every time you get into the pool?
I remember the feeling of the warm liquid trickling down my legs when I used to use tampons. I definitely don’t miss that, and I’m sorry you’re experiencing it!
As for using a larger size, is your current cup filling with blood in or out of the pool? If not, then I don’t think a larger size will do any better.
Cups will situate themselves in the area of least resistance. Even if you place it low in the vagina canal, most will ride up around the cervix until the rim is nestled in the vaginal fornix (the space around the cervix). The only cup that has not migrated higher from the position that I placed it was the Tampax Cup. Probably due to its extremely wide rim. Placing it in a different position, higher or lower, probably is not going to solve your issue.
I’m sorry that I couldn’t be more helpful 🙁 Please let me know if you get an answer from a doctor. I would love to hear their answer!
Good Luck <3
Red Herring
@redherringtv
RedHerringTV on YouTube
Thank you so much for this, it has been really helpful as I didn’t know any of this. I will let you know what happens when I next have to use the cup
Hi Red Herring,
Thank you for your reply. I really don\’t understand it either. It is possible that it could be discharge as the water isn\’t particularly bloody, actually the blood is normally settled at the bottom.
I don\’t think it smells like chlorine either but it is a lot of water in there so I find it hard to believe that is all discharge, it\’s full to the top, but I am normally in the water for 2 hours sometimes 3 so it could be possible.
It has happened everytime unfortunately which is annoying. Also everytime I get out of the pool there isn\’t blood on ny costume so maybe it isn\’t leaking. And the cup is filling up with blood outside of the pool and in I think. I could be mistaken, maybe it isn\’t leaking, I\’m really not sure.
I’ve experienced this a few times. The clear liquid was to the very top and the blood is settled on the bottom. I used to think it is plasm/red blood cell separation like when blood is spun in a Centrifuge.
I wasn’t in the water, but it only seemed to happen when we were hiking, walking for a long time, or riding our Trikkes (3 wheeled scooters).
Other people have experienced this (who weren’t in the water) but a lot of them are adamant that it’s urine in their cups. There is a thread about it if you want to see what they say. Search the forum questions for “Pee in cup”. There’s a lot of back and forth there, so be prepared. So far no one has confirmation by their doctor that it is urine. They also didn’t say that it happened as frequently as you.
I guess on the bright side, you haven’t found any blood on your costume. Again, the only thing I can suggest is to make sure to empty it before and after your pool routine.
Best of luck to you and if you end up calling the doctor for advice, I would love to hear about it.
Good Luck <3
Red Herring
@redherringtv
RedHerringTV on YouTube
Thanks a lot for that, I will have a look at the thread, I\’ll keep you updated if anything changes in the future, you\’ve been a great help, thank you
Sorry just wanted to confirm one more thing and ask for you advice. Before I went back to work and a couple of times since I have worn the menstrual cup in the bath to test if it leaked. And I moved around and put myself into different positions (sounds a bit weird I know) and after I got out there was no water in the menstrual cup. Do you think it really could just be discharge?
I really do. I know that when it has happened to me, I wasn’t in the water and I know I don’t have a fistula that connects my bladder/urethra to my uterus/vaginal canal. I also know that there wasn’t a time that I was in a horizontal position long enough while I urinated that the urine traveled up my vaginal canal, squeezed past the cup’s seal, and collected in the cup or any other way that I could have peed in my cup. But there it was; clear, yellowish liquid. Sometimes with blood and sometimes without.
*Overly long insert but those are things people have questioned about.
I do know that when I’m extra physical I do feel extra wetness when I don’t have a cup in. I’ve even checked if I started my period because there was a substantial amount. However, I would never guess how much watery discharge leaked until it was collected.
With that being said, your worry IS valid and your experience might be totally different than mine. All I can say is to test the cup and do some out-of-the-water workouts and see if it happens (even a trace of it) AND, call your doctor, explain your situation and ask if the chlorine will cause damage if that is what by chance, is happening.
On a side note, I’ve had penetrative intercourse while using over 50 different cups and there’s only been one or two that shifted. If it can withstand the friction caused without getting dislodged, I don’t think it’s the contortion of the body that’s causing this. Maybe the workout of contorting but not the actual positions.
I know that was kind of out of left field, but I’ve put my cups through the wringer. Long periods of swimming have not been one of them, though. Floating in the ocean on my back for 6 hours, yes, but not doing any laps or somersaults.
I hope that you figure this out!
Please keep me updated <3
Red Herring
@redherringtv
RedHerringTV on YouTube
So update on how my cup has worked this month. Its been a disaster really, my cup had leaked all week and I have no idea why. I have used the cup the same as I always have, made sure the cup is open but its still been leaking.
This has really made me lose my faith in cups and I’m getting frustrated with them now. The only thing I can think is that maybe my cervix moved this month causing the cup to leak.
But on the positive side, I wore the cup swimming and it was definitely leaking this time. I had blood in my swimming costume and when I pulled the cup out the blood was very watery. This obviously means my cup wasn’t leaking before which is a relief, I just hope the cup will work next month.
OH NO!!! I’m sorry that happened! 🙁 I would be so frustrated as well. I might have even given up, but I can tell that you still want to make it work and I want it to work for you.
I briefly scanned our previous comments but can’t find which cup or size you’re using. Can you please refresh my memory? I think it’s time to try another cup and I want to give you some suggestions based on what you’re using now.
Do you feel like you would be still comfortable using a larger cup per width and length?
Your country would also help me narrow down cups that might only be available to you.
I’m sorry again, but I hope you have a good weekend <3
Hi Red Herring,
Thank you again for replying to me. The cup that I’m using at the moment is the organicup. When I first started trying menstrual cups I brought just a cheap one off ebay because I didn’t want to spend a lot if I didn’t like them. But when I ended up loving them I decided to buy the organicup because I felt it was safer.
The cup was much smaller and stiffer than the cup I was using before which I felt was maybe a problem. The size that I brought was size A which is supposed to be the one to use if you haven’t given birth.
The cup that I’ve seen that I think would be best for me is the saalt cup. I felt it might be good because its soft and flexible, it looks bigger than the organicup and apparently can seal easily. I’m not sure if you agree or if there are any others you would recommend.
And yes I wouldn’t mind using a larger cup, I don’t think they effect me too much. And I live in England. Thank you again for any advice and help.
Hi Red Herring,
Thank you again for replying to me. The cup that I’m using at the moment is the organicup. When I first started trying menstrual cups I brought just a cheap one off ebay because I didn’t want to spend a lot if I didn’t like them. But when I ended up loving them I decided to buy the organicup because I felt it was safer.
I’m glad that you did. I always feel better when people buy reputable cups. Although people swear that their generic cup hasn’t caused them any problems, you never know in the years to follow.
The cup was much smaller and stiffer than the cup I was using before which I felt was maybe a problem. The size that I brought was size A which is supposed to be the one to use if you haven’t given birth.
While the OrganiCup is an awesome cup, it has some large air holes. This could be causing the seal to break or leaks to happen sooner rather than later.
The cup that I’ve seen that I think would be best for me is the saalt cup. I felt it might be good because its soft and flexible, it looks bigger than the organicup and apparently can seal easily. I’m not sure if you agree or if there are any others you would recommend.
The Saalt is another great cup. I would agree that it might work out better for you. I would suggest a large size. The small Saalt is shorter than the OrganiCup small and won’t provide you with any more room or capacity. They offer two firmness version; regular and soft. The Saalt regular would be closer in firmness to the small OrganiCup. It might be easier to open over the soft version. However, I didn’t have any issues getting the soft to open.
In my opinion, it’s more of a medium/soft cup in which it still has a good spring back to it than some of these other very soft cups.
And yes I wouldn’t mind using a larger cup, I don’t think they effect me too much. And I live in England. Thank you again for any advice and help.
My other suggestion would be the medium LaliCup (from Solvenia). It’s very slightly longer than the Saalt in both the body and stem, it has a rounded body with channels that make it easy to fold and helps when getting the cup to open. Both the large Saalt and the medium LaliCup hold about the same capacity at 36ml to the rim. I don’t remember if I have a discount for Saalt, but try “RedHerringTV” on either site if you decide to purchase one of them. I don’t make anything off of it, so please don’t feel like I’m just trying to sell you on something.
I don’t have anything specific to England that jumps out at me as a suggestion for you.
Sorry for the format, I kept getting lost in my thoughts and had to organize them this way.
😀 “Red Herring”
Update. I’ve had another disaster period. I desperately need help to know what to do and if I can fix this.
I’ve brought a Saalt cup and been trying it out, it all seemed fine until I got in the water again. I found blood in my costume afterwards and today when I sat down there was a massive blood stain after so it had completely leaked through. Luckily I was sat on a stool so I managed to quickly clean it. When I pulled the cup out loads of water came out so I’m pretty sure it had leaked this time.
But I DON’T UNDERSTAND. I put the cup in, made sure it was open, checked it it had a seal, it had all this and its still leaking. The cup was working before but now suddenly its like my body has changed or something and just doesn’t want to use menstrual cups.
I feel like I’m going to have to go back to tampons for the rest of this period which I really don’t want to do. I’m just so fed up now as I’ve wasted £25 on q menstrual cup that just won’t work. Please any advice you could give me, I’m just desperate now.
Thank you.
I was just thinking about you recently. We’ve been experiencing a heatwave (47c degrees yesterday) and when it was cool enough, I used my weighted hula-hoop while I was also testing a teen-sized cup. I overflowed with clear fluid twice and had no visible blood in it. I think the heat and the exercise combined (in my case), making it more than normal for me since I don’t experience this very often.
I’m wondering, how long do you use the cup while swimming? I know a cup is supposed to hold up to 12 hours, but that depends on the amount of fluid in it. If you’re in the water for several hours, you may need to empty it in the middle.
I’m sorry that this happened. Again, I commend you for still trying. I know it’s frustrating 🙁
How is it when you aren’t in the water? Is it collecting your flow as it should without any leaks?
How did the large Saalt Cup feel while wearing it?
The only thing that I could think of is that you need a higher capacity if you feel comfortable using one.
Unfortunately, I would have to say to go back to tampons for the rest of this period until you can find a cup that is going to perform 100% for you. As for the cups you have, there are FB groups that allow you to resell your gently used cups to recoup some funds back.
Check out the cup comparison chart on this site’s menu to see if any of the high-capacity cups look promising to you, paying attention to length for your comfort. If you have any questions about them, I’d be happy to give you my thoughts.
You might also want to check out menstrual discs.
I’m sorry, but I’m a little stumped at the moment for suggestions 🙁
Hugsssss,
Red
Oh how strange, yeah that’s what used to happen to me. And I really appreciate you helping me as well as I feel like I keep bothering you 🤦♀️😂
So I wear the cup up to 3 hours but not much longer than that. It’s not possible for me to change it half way through though as we don’t have a break at any point so I wouldn’t be able to.
The cup works fine outside of water, when it’s open and suctioned properly I know it will always work.
The only solution I’ve got really is wearing tampons when in the water and switching to a cup when out of the water. I feel that tampons are more reliable as they will never leak, I would have to buy organic ones though to be safe. Also the saalt cup is very comfortable actually, it’s easy to insert and pull out.
I’m going to keep the saalt cup and I can get a refund for the organicup so that’s good.
I will have a look at other cups too and was thinking about a disc as I feel it will have a wider circumference so water is less likely to get in.
I’m not sure what to do yet and am just exploring my options.
Thank you again for your help it’s been really useful.
Thank you
3 hours is not much time at all. I’m sorry that cups haven’t cut it yet 🙁 Even if you were able to empty your cup that often, you shouldn’t have to.
It’s so strange! I mean, not that the cup works on land but not in the water, but it’s strange how the body reacts to different activities that this can happen.
Unfortunately, I’m going to have to agree with you about wearing tampons in the water if they work better. Whatever makes you feel confident and secure. At least you have the option.
When I used to go to the beach almost every day, I remember my tampon absorbing a lot of water and then warm fluid running down my leg when I got out. I was not a fan of it and stopped going to the beach when I had my period (at least going in the water).
On a side note, I’m glad that the Saalt Cup was comfortable and easy to use.
Discs rest like a hammock from the vaginal fornix behind your cervix to your pubic bone. It doesn’t sit around the cervix like a standard cup. It might create a better barrier, but I’ve never spoken to anyone who had used it regularly for swimming. So, I have no information on that.
You are NOT a bother. I wish I had someone to talk through these things with me. I’m just glad that I can at least try to help you.
Have a great weekend <3
Red
Hi Red Herring,
Thank you for your reply. I really don’t understand it either. It is possible that it could be discharge as the water isn’t particularly bloody, actually the blood is normally settled at the bottom.
I don’t think it smells like chlorine either but it is a lot of water in there so I find it hard to believe that is all discharge, it’s full to the top, but I am normally in the water for 2 hours sometimes 3 so it could be possible.
It has happened everytime unfortunately which is annoying. Also everytime I get out of the pool there isn’t blood on ny costume so maybe it isn’t leaking. And the cup is filling up with blood outside of the pool and in I think. I could be mistaken, maybe it isn’t leaking, I’m really not sure.