Period talk: Questions and advice

It might just be from swimming, or maybe a sudden change in climate... a friend mentioned to me a few years back that her cycle got a little wonky after a trip to the coast, though I suppose 🤷 I always go swimming and haven't really run into any issues myself..

I do have a quick question regarding tampons.. I’ll likely need them for my upcoming trip, and there's this idea that they should be changed immediately after getting out of the water, so I was wondering if that's actually strictly necessary? Since the beach will probably be packed, I don't exactly see a convenient place where I could just step away to change them constantly.

Jessica Richardson76 said:I want to know what you guys think and if I should even be worried about my "problem"!

So basically, my boyfriend and I hooked up on the first day of my period—which actually showed up two days early, by the way—and everything seemed fine, except for one thing. After we were done, my period was super light. Since we were away on vacation, I decided not to miss out on swimming and went in the water once. Then for a whole week, my period was just really weak. I had the usual cramps, but the flow was just... off.

Is it possible my cycle got messed up because of the sex and the swimming? I mean, it was my first time swimming while on my period, and I'm pretty sensitive.

Also, one more thing: a week after this "period" ended, we had sex again and it hurt like crazy, and then I saw some pink spotting on my underwear right after.

Look, it’s totally normal for your flow to lighten up when you go swimming—the cold water slows things down and reduces the bleeding. Personally, I never swim when I'm on my period because mine is always super heavy and I don't feel like attracting any sharks,😁 but I've heard from friends that it can even stop completely for a bit when you're in cold water, only to come back to "normal" later... so honestly, don't sweat that part. As for the pain during sex, man, I can't tell you for sure, but if that keeps happening, you seriously need to see a doctor because that shouldn't be happening.

So, my period decided to show up a few days early... normally I'm pretty consistent, like right on a 28-day cycle. I'm pretty sure it's just because of this crazy heatwave we've been having lately. Honestly, I don't think there's much point in stressing out over stuff like this unless things get actually weird, you know? Like if I started getting heavy bleeding totally out of nowhere mid-cycle...

Casey Phillips18 said:It could be from swimming, or just the change in weather... a friend told me a few years back she was at the beach and went swimming, and her period got all messed up for a bit... I don't know 🤷 I always swim and I never have any issues..

I've got a question about tampons.. I'll probably need them when I'm at the coast, and apparently you're supposed to change them right after getting out of the water, so I'm wondering if that's actually necessary? Because the beach is packed, there isn't really anywhere to go to swap them out every five minutes.

After every single time you get out of the water?? hmm, that's basically impossible.. I don't know, my friends just swim normally with a tampon and change it like they would any other time—basically whenever they feel like it, depending on how heavy the flow is, and honestly, it might even lighten up while you're swimming. I don't really have personal experience swimming while on my period because my flow is way too heavy for that, so I'm just passing along what I hear from other girls, which is mostly that you just swim like normal when you start, just maybe don't spend too much time baking in the sun..🤷

restlesshound27 said:So my period showed up a few days early... usually I'm pretty much on schedule, like every 28 days or so. I'm betting it's just this crazy heatwave we're having right now. Honestly, I don't think there's any reason to stress out or overthink things unless something actually weird happens—like, you know, if you start seeing massive bleeding in the middle of your cycle or something serious like that.

Man, mine has always been heavy since I can remember—well, since I started being sexually active a few years back.😁 Everything else seems fine, it's just that I feel lightheaded more often and I've always dealt with being anemic.😁

Emily Johnson67 said:Look, I wash my hair regularly whenever I get the chance, so I haven't dropped dead from it—those are just old myths. Sure, you should stay out of the direct sun, but a quick dip in the ocean isn't going to hurt anyone. In fact, the water is better when it's cold rather than lukewarm. Of course, all that assumes you don't have an appetite as massive as mine...🙄

Those aren't "myths," they're just old wives' tales, and I was simply pointing out where they come from. Besides, it's not like you're supposed to avoid swimming in cold water too. Honestly, I don't get how people can go even a couple of days without getting in the water. 🙄

Laura Mendoza said:Those aren't prejudices, they're just old wives' tales, and I was simply pointing out where they come from... It's not like you can't even shower in cold water. Honestly, I don't get how people can go without bathing for even a few days. 🙄

If you don't live on the coast, the answer is NO!!!🙄

It’s hard for me to judge my cycle right now since this was my first time swimming. But I am concerned because spotting started after sex and there is blood every day when I wipe. I am not sure what is happening. Whether it will settle down or if this is actually a different issue entirely.

I honestly don't see the connection between swimming and bleeding. If you're using a tampon that can handle your flow, then by all means, jump in the water. I’ve been swimming in oceans and pools for years without a single issue, even with a tampon. All those old wives' tales about how you can't swim or even wash your hair are just nonsense I heard when I was a kid; menstruation isn't some handicap, it's just a natural bodily function.
From my very first period until now, I haven't missed a single chance to go swimming whenever the opportunity arose. Believe me, after over 20 years of dealing with this, I've never had a single problem.

Look, everyone’s body reacts differently. It’s just basic biology—some people can handle intense pain without blinking, while others are sidelined by it. It’s the same deal with swimming. You might be perfectly fine, thank God, but I’ve heard plenty of stories about people having to extend their recovery by a few days just because they went for a dip.

I usually experience the exact opposite—I honestly can’t put my finger on why—but it typically lasts about four to six days, and if I go swimming, day four is almost certainly the finish line. I'm not trying to contradict you; it’s just that my coworkers and I hit the local community pool together, and even with the warm water, we all deal with the same thing.

I suppose it really just comes down to how everyone's body reacts individually. 🙂

I have a question... is it possible that my period stopped just because I was swimming for about an hour and a half? Also, could catching a chill be the reason behind the pain I felt during sex?

Yes.

Jessica Richardson76 said:so I'm wondering... is it actually possible that my period just stopped because I was swimming for like an hour and a half? Like, maybe I caught a chill or something, and now I'm dealing with this pain during sex

Yeah, it’s totally possible you caught a chill—especially if that water was sitting below 75 degrees... and honestly, if that pain during sex is really messing with you, you should probably just go see a doctor. I know for a fact that when you get some kind of inflammation or infection in your ovaries, sex can be pretty painful... are you feeling any specific ache around the ovary area?

I honestly find myself avoiding intimacy altogether during my period because the physical pain is just too much to deal with. I suppose that’s probably a valid reason why one shouldn't feel obligated to visit Dr. Miller's office either.

Hey everyone, please,can someone help me out ASAP..I’m honestly starting to freak out..😠
I know I’m new here and still figuring everything out..
So, I’m 14, and I got my first period back in January. For the first two months, it was pretty regular, but since then, things have been all over the place.🤷>
I have no idea what’s going on. I know people will say it’s totally normal because periods are irregular when you first start, blah blah blah... but I’m genuinely worried. :S
It was supposed to come on July 7th, and today is already the 15th.
Some people told me it might be because I washed my hair during my period.
Then I read somewhere that maybe an ovary could be damaged..😕Can anyone explain how an ovary actually gets damaged? Like, what usually causes that?🙏I haven't had sex, obviously xD😁 so... I don't know what else it could be. I'm not ready to see a doctor just yet.🤣But I did see a story in a magazine about a girl hitting menopause at 14,😲
which just added to the panic... so, yeah. Please, guys, let me know...PLEASE HELP🙏

Emily Johnson67 said:It’s possible you just have a cold, especially if that water was under 75 degrees. If the pain during sex is worrying you that much, you should probably see a doctor. I know from experience that when I'm sick, my ovaries can ache during intercourse. Are you feeling any pain specifically in the ovarian area?

Yes, the pain is right in the ovarian area. And I feel like I have to pee constantly. It feels like a cold. I just don't get why I'm having this pink or brown discharge every single day. I really hope it doesn't last all month until my next period. Ugh, I'm definitely staying out of the bedroom for a while.

Robin Miller4 said:Guys, please,answer as soon as possible..otherwise I'm going to lose my mind..😠
I know, I'm new to this forum.. still getting used to everything..
but here's the thing. I'm 14, and I got my first period back in January. The first two months were regular, but since then, it's been totally unpredictable🤷
I have no idea what's happening.. I know people will say it's fine because periods are irregular at first, blah blah... but I am genuinely worried..: S
I was supposed to get it on July 7th, and today is July 15th.
Some people say it's because I washed my hair during my period.
I read somewhere that an ovary might be damaged..😕can someone briefly explain how an ovary could be damaged? What usually causes that?🙏I haven't had sex xD😁 so yeah... I don't know what else it could be.. I haven't gone to a gynecologist yet🤣 and I read in some magazine that a girl went into menopause at 14😲
which made me even more anxious... so.. people, please answer...PLEASE🙏

😂 didn't you also read that periods are irregular for the first two years? In principle, for some girls, cycles don't even stabilize until after their first sexual experience or pregnancy.. that's what my doctor told me. Menopause? Come on... you said you haven't had sex 👍it's possible you might even skip this month. You're young, it isn't that serious

Yeah, I know things can be pretty irregular at first...
But honestly, I'm just not sure...How can an ovary actually get damaged??
Anyway...
A few pimples popped up about two days before July 7th...so I figured my period was coming.
Usually, I get a couple of breakouts a day or two before my cycle starts, but nothing happened. Ugh...
👎

Robin Miller4 said:I know things can be irregular at first...
But I'm just not so sure about that either...How could my ovaries even be affected??
anyway...
A few pimples popped up two days before July 7th...so I thought my period was coming.
Usually, I get a few breakouts a day or two before my cycle starts, but nothing happened this time..ugh..
👎

Just relax... honestly, the only advice I have is to see a gynecologist for an exam... there really isn't any other way... I think you might be overthinking it, and if you're constantly stressing that it's late because of anxiety... I don't think that's it.

Just enjoy yourself and stay positive. Don't let the small stuff get to you.

I'm asking this again... lol. Can someone please answer me...how can an ovary actually get damaged?..it might be
I'd really appreciate it :P
I don't know... maybe I'm just overthinking things... who knows...😂😂
I hope not... though I never thought I'd be saying this out loud...
I JUST want my period to start already😲
So I can finally stop worrying about all this...

But at 14, there's no way I'm going to the gynecologist... lol... no way...