Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWashing and BathingSwimmingExerciseCan You Exercise on Your Period?Pregnancy RiskSynchronicityFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Washing and Bathing
Swimming
Exercise
Can You Exercise on Your Period?
Pregnancy Risk
Synchronicity
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s a lot of information swirling about periods, which may make it difficult to know what’s true and what’s not when it comes to menstruation. For example, you might be confused about whether you can take a bath or exercise on your period or whether it’s possible for periods to synchronize.
Having a firm grasp on how your period works and what you can or can’t do while you’re on it can help you feel more confident during menstruation.
This article will provide answers to these common questions and others, such as whether you can have sex or get pregnant on your period.
Verywell / Lara Antal
Can You Take a Bath on Your Period?
There’s no reason not to bathe on your period. Practicing good hygiene during your period can prevent odors. A warm bath can also relax your abdominal muscles and help easecramps.
Keep in mind, though, that while water pressure may reduce or stop your period flow while you’re in the bath, this isn’t guaranteed. If this prospect makes you uncomfortable, consider putting in a tampon beforehand.
Staying Clean During Your Period
Can You Swim on Your Period?
It is safe to swim during your period, and like in a bath, your flow may be held or reduced due to water pressure. However, you may want to use feminine protection such as a tampon or menstrual cup when swimming to prevent staining your bathing suit if you do leak.
If you do leak in a swimming pool, there’s no need to worry about blood contaminating the pool. Most pools contain chlorine and other chemicals that help prevent the transmission of diseases.
You can also swim in the ocean without fear that having your period will make you a target for sharks. This is an unverified urban legend.
Swimming With Your Period
Can You Have Sex on Your Period?
It’s perfectly fine to have sex during your period. It may even help relieve cramps and make sex more enjoyable, as blood acts like a natural lubricant.
However, you may feel uncomfortable about having sex on your period due to the potential mess, and you and your partner may decide to wait for this reason.
It is safe and healthy to exercise while on your period. Being on your period shouldn’t impact the effectiveness of your workout. Furthermore, regular exercise may even help relieve cramps.
Some people report having less energy during their period, which may impact their desire to exercise. Pain medication can help if your cramps make it hard to work out.
Exercise Effects on Menstruation
Sex During Your Period
Can You Get Pregnant on Your Period?
It is possible to get pregnant during your period.
You need to ovulate (release an egg) in order to get pregnant. That usually happens after your period is over. However, the time when you are fertile can sometimes overlap with your period. This can happen any month, but it’s more likely if your periods aren’t regular or if you bleed longer than average.
Unless you use birth control likethe pillor an IUD or meticulously usenatural family planning methods, assume there are no safe days to have sex without the chance of pregnancy.
Pregnancy on Birth Control
How To Use a Tampon
Do Periods Synchronize?
Some people believe women who spend a lot of time together have their periods at the same time. This is still an open question.
Summary
Exercising, swimming, and taking a bath are all safe to do while on your period. It’s also safe to have sex while menstruating, but keep in mind that there’s still a chance—albeit a small one—of becoming pregnant.
Frequently Asked QuestionsOn average, a woman loses 2 to 3 teaspoons of blood during a normal period that lasts four to five days. Women with heavy bleeding and longer periods may lose twice that amount.A woman typically menstruates approximately 450 times in her life. Research shows women menstruate on average for 35 years and have 13 cycles a year.Aunt Flo is a euphemism for a menstrual period. Years ago, talking about menstruation in mixed company was taboo. Women came up with other words and phrases for a period, such as a monthly visitor or a visit from Aunt Flo.On the internet, Aunt Flo is often shortened to AF. However, AF also has other meanings online, such as alcohol-free.Other euphemisms for menstruation include:Carrie (from the movie of the same name)Crime scene or CSICrimson tideMoon timeMother Nature’s giftOn the ragRag weekRed weddingRiding the cotton ponyShark weekThat time of the month
On average, a woman loses 2 to 3 teaspoons of blood during a normal period that lasts four to five days. Women with heavy bleeding and longer periods may lose twice that amount.
A woman typically menstruates approximately 450 times in her life. Research shows women menstruate on average for 35 years and have 13 cycles a year.
Aunt Flo is a euphemism for a menstrual period. Years ago, talking about menstruation in mixed company was taboo. Women came up with other words and phrases for a period, such as a monthly visitor or a visit from Aunt Flo.On the internet, Aunt Flo is often shortened to AF. However, AF also has other meanings online, such as alcohol-free.Other euphemisms for menstruation include:Carrie (from the movie of the same name)Crime scene or CSICrimson tideMoon timeMother Nature’s giftOn the ragRag weekRed weddingRiding the cotton ponyShark weekThat time of the month
Aunt Flo is a euphemism for a menstrual period. Years ago, talking about menstruation in mixed company was taboo. Women came up with other words and phrases for a period, such as a monthly visitor or a visit from Aunt Flo.
On the internet, Aunt Flo is often shortened to AF. However, AF also has other meanings online, such as alcohol-free.
Other euphemisms for menstruation include:
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office on Women’s Health.Physical activity and your menstrual cycle.Planned Parenthood.Can I have sex during my period? Can I get pregnant during my period?American Psychological Association.Pheromones, in context.Clue.Do menstrual cycles sync? Unlikely, finds Clue data.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heavy menstrual bleeding.Chavez-MacGregor M, van Gils CH, van der Schouw YT, Monninkhof E, van Noord PA, Peeters PH.Lifetime cumulative number of menstrual cycles and serum sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008;108(1):101-12. doi:10.1007/s10549-007-9574-zAdditional ReadingBhatiya A.Menstruation, religion and society.IJSSH. 2013;3(6):523-527. doi:10.7763/IJSSH.2013.V3.296Nemours Foundation.All about menstruation.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office on Women’s Health.Physical activity and your menstrual cycle.Planned Parenthood.Can I have sex during my period? Can I get pregnant during my period?American Psychological Association.Pheromones, in context.Clue.Do menstrual cycles sync? Unlikely, finds Clue data.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heavy menstrual bleeding.Chavez-MacGregor M, van Gils CH, van der Schouw YT, Monninkhof E, van Noord PA, Peeters PH.Lifetime cumulative number of menstrual cycles and serum sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008;108(1):101-12. doi:10.1007/s10549-007-9574-zAdditional ReadingBhatiya A.Menstruation, religion and society.IJSSH. 2013;3(6):523-527. doi:10.7763/IJSSH.2013.V3.296Nemours Foundation.All about menstruation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Office on Women’s Health.Physical activity and your menstrual cycle.Planned Parenthood.Can I have sex during my period? Can I get pregnant during my period?American Psychological Association.Pheromones, in context.Clue.Do menstrual cycles sync? Unlikely, finds Clue data.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heavy menstrual bleeding.Chavez-MacGregor M, van Gils CH, van der Schouw YT, Monninkhof E, van Noord PA, Peeters PH.Lifetime cumulative number of menstrual cycles and serum sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008;108(1):101-12. doi:10.1007/s10549-007-9574-z
Office on Women’s Health.Physical activity and your menstrual cycle.
Planned Parenthood.Can I have sex during my period? Can I get pregnant during my period?
American Psychological Association.Pheromones, in context.
Clue.Do menstrual cycles sync? Unlikely, finds Clue data.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heavy menstrual bleeding.
Chavez-MacGregor M, van Gils CH, van der Schouw YT, Monninkhof E, van Noord PA, Peeters PH.Lifetime cumulative number of menstrual cycles and serum sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008;108(1):101-12. doi:10.1007/s10549-007-9574-z
Bhatiya A.Menstruation, religion and society.IJSSH. 2013;3(6):523-527. doi:10.7763/IJSSH.2013.V3.296Nemours Foundation.All about menstruation.
Bhatiya A.Menstruation, religion and society.IJSSH. 2013;3(6):523-527. doi:10.7763/IJSSH.2013.V3.296
Nemours Foundation.All about menstruation.
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