Does Period Swimwear Work? Here's How We Use It

I have always spent more time than most people in water, I was a high board diver as a teen, then a mother and baby swimming teacher while my kids were little, and now I live by the sea and love a dip with the local early morning mermaid group.

I have always had to struggle through my heavy period whilst still swimming. 

If only period swimwear had been available then! I used to tie tampons together to attempt to last a 4hr teaching session and still leave the water leaking.

The drying effects of tampons meant if I nipped out between classes to change, I would struggle to get the new one in - nightmare!

For the past three years I have been able to use our Cheeky swimwear and it has been game changing!

"I got a period bikini and it worked great on holiday! I tried it for the first time and could swim in the sea a couple of times without any problem. Thank you" Ilona, Sep '24 Trustpilot

How Does Period Swimwear Work?

Holding approximately two tampons worth of menstrual blood, our period swimwear has a similar absorbent gusset to light flow period pants, but it has the added benefit of a water repellent outer.

This stops the pool or sea water making it into your costume to mix with your flow. Make sure you have a snug fit and you will be able to swim and sunbathe without leaks on your lighter days.

On heavy flow days, they are great as back up to menstrual cups or tampons or change regularly.

"Purchased a pair of bikini bottoms thank you for accommodating a curvier figure as been hard to find .They are so comfy and look amazing quality saved my holiday can go to pool with the family and not sit on the side lines just ordered a second pair x" Trustpilot March '25

My Experience Using Period Swimwear

I use menstrual swimwear now for sea swimming and occasionally for teaching. I'm only in the water for half an hour a week and the costume serves me really well for this.

The fit is really important, too loose or too tight and you will risk leaks, so make sure you are happy before you get it wet.

Try on over your own underwear as we can exchange if needed.

When I am off to the beach at the crack of dawn, I wear my menstrual swimming costume, an over the head towel and a dry robe - nothing else! I pop a fresh pair of period underwear in my robes pocket.

In the winter we are dipping for just a few minutes and in the summer we swim out to the buoys - head up, colourful swimming cap, chatting all the way. 

When I am back on the beach, I can strip out of the period swimming costume under my dryrobe and drop it into a wetbag - the black gusset means there is nothing to see, and pop my fresh period pants on to head for home.

The added plus is that swimming on your period really eases cramps!

"Meno plus size is happy for once! I was a little wary, as a plus sized queen I've had some issues getting plus size period swimwear that actually fits. Pleased to say this swimwear fits comfortably, I'm tall as well as round! I can swim again even as a menopausal hot mess!" Olivia, April '24 Trustpilot

How Does Period Swimwear Feel?

Our classic shape swimming costume is really flattering, and feels no different to a normal swimming costume. It has bust support, adjustable straps and removable padding.

Our racer back costume is great for teens school swimming - size down as it comes up quite big.

We have 4 different styles of period swimming bikini bottoms some with matching tops, 2 different costumes in 3 colours so just like our period pants, you can choose the style that best matches your preference.

How Does It Look? Can People Tell?

For the eagle eyed observer there is a faint gusset line separating the absorbent area from the rest of the swimsuit. I have never felt conscious of this and no-one has ever commented on it.

What About Leaks?

You would need to change in line with your flow to stay leak proof, just as you would in any period protection. For a normal lane swimming session of half an hour to an hour you would be fine on light to moderate days.

If you plan to sunbathe, swim, sunbathe, swim the day away make sure you have access to a toilet, a spare bikini bottom or costume or double up with internal protection.

How Long Can You Wear It For?

Period swimsuits can absorb period blood that is light to moderate flow, any heavier and they will need changing regularly. But they will last a baby swimming lesson with moderate flow.

If you are on holiday this doesn't mean you need to take multiple swimsuits with you, I just nipped into the disabled toilet and rinsed the gusset out, gave it a good squeeze and a rockstar style swing, and popped it back on.

You can take a couple of pairs of bikini bottoms and switch them every couple of hours, rinse the used ones and hang on your hotel balcony - they'll be dry by the time you need to change again.

I have BIG boobs and stick with my trusty underwired bikini and tankini tops so I just use black period bikini bottoms with those.

How Did It Dry?

All reusable period products dry best inside out, in the sunshine this will be no time at all. 

For swims closer to home, I tend to rinse and turn inside out over the bath or in the shower. I wash along with my period pants and reusable pads and our everyday washing. They dry within 24hrs.

Our Tips for Wearing Period Swimwear

Remember they are not magical, they are layers of absorbent material behind a water repellent outer.

They need to be changed regularly, and washed carefully - no fabric softener, stick to 30-40 degrees, and don't tumble dry!

If you found this blog useful and want to read more - 

Can you wear period pants for swimming?

The best period swimwear

The ultimate guide to swimming with incontinence

Period on holiday: How to deal with it

If you want to more information about switching to reusable pee and period products, feel free to contact the team. You can drop them a email or use the online chat. The team all use the products themselves and nothing is TMI. We all happily overshare our own experiences.

About the Author: Kirstin loves sea swimming and lives with her three children by the seaside. As part of Cheeky Wipes customer service team she spends most days talking about periods, poo, and pee.