Diving / Period / No tampons

[ElizaDoolittle]

After some coaxing, I've finally persuaded my cousin and best friend to take up diving. She never thought she was going to like it, but after getting certified, she keeps on wanting more and more, which is great news.

But we have a small problem, for which I cannot find a solution. My cousin is younger than me (she's 45 now), and owing to a operation she underwent years ago, she cannot use tampons or any other aternative of the inserting type, buy only pads. On top ot that, her period is rather irregular, which means she never knows for sure when it's going to happen; otherwise, avoiding the "wrong" weekend would be enough. But we can never book a holiday by the seaside hoping to dive, because it's impossible to tell. Actually, that's the reason it took a long time for me to make her try diving, as she has been avoiding swimming pools and the sea for almost fifteen years now, in spite of how much she used to like them.

I have heard that there's a new type of underwear people use when they go to the swimming pool during their period, but I suspect it must be only for sunbathing, or the underwear would try to absorb all of the water in the pool, wouldn't it? Would this be an option for diving? If not (as I suspect), is there any suggestion that might work for my cousin?

Thanks!

 

[Wookie]

After some coaxing, I've finally persuaded my cousin and best friend to take up diving. She never thought she was going to like it, but after getting certified, she keeps on wanting more and more, which is great news.

But we have a small problem, for which I cannot find a solution. My cousin is younger than me (she's 45 now), and owing to a operation she underwent years ago, she cannot use tampons or any other aternative of the inserting type, buy only pads. On top ot that, her period is rather irregular, which means she never knows for sure when it's going to happen; otherwise, avoiding the "wrong" weekend would be enough. But we can never book a holiday by the seaside hoping to dive, because it's impossible to tell. Actually, that's the reason it took a long time for me to make her try diving, as she has been avoiding swimming pools and the sea for almost fifteen years now, in spite of how much she used to like them.

I have heard that there's a new type of underwear people use when they go to the swimming pool during their period, but I suspect it must be only for sunbathing, or the underwear would try to absorb all of the water in the pool, wouldn't it? Would this be an option for diving? If not (as I suspect), is there any suggestion that might work for my cousin?

Thanks!

I have friends on birth control that have no periods ever. Not that I think that’s a proper way to manage hormones, that may be an option for her?

 

[girlwithbigtanks]

Assuming warm water. Light shell drysuit and light undergarments and pads. I dive dry year round, pads are no problem.

 

[turtlegurl]

There are period swimsuits that are for actual use in the water. Modibodi or Ruby Love.

 

[living4experiences]

Couple of options:

1. Go on birth control pills and take every single day with no break for the sugar pills. The period will stop because your body is on permanent pause from menstruation.

2. Get a hysterectomy. She's only a few years from menopause. The stress from all that period worry is gone forever!

 

[Esprise Me]

All good suggestions. I'll just add that the fear some have over menstrual blood attracting sharks isn't supported by the evidence. I'm not sure how heavy her flow is, but at least on her lighter days she might be fine with just a black swimsuit. I hope she doesn't let this hold her back.

 

[Blackcrusader]

All good suggestions. I'll just add that the fear some have over menstrual blood attracting sharks isn't supported by the evidence. I'm not sure how heavy her flow is, but at least on her lighter days she might be fine with just a black swimsuit. I hope she doesn't let this hold her back.

Ah the fear of sharks with crimson tide. Not really an issue that I have heard of. I dive with women who just dive during their period it's never been an issue and they have all worn a wetsuit at the time.

 

[annasea]

All good suggestions. I'll just add that the fear some have over menstrual blood attracting sharks isn't supported by the evidence. I'm not sure how heavy her flow is, but at least on her lighter days she might be fine with just a black swimsuit. I hope she doesn't let this hold her back.

A hysterectomy is a "good suggestion?"

 

[Wookie]

A hysterectomy is a "good suggestion?"

I’ve known a number of women past the urge to bear live children who have them when they have other female problems. It alleviates the female problems and has a positive effect on their life. As you know, a hysterectomy doesn’t require removal of the ovaries.

 

[rdepes]

All good suggestions. I'll just add that the fear some have over menstrual blood attracting sharks isn't supported by the evidence. I'm not sure how heavy her flow is, but at least on her lighter days she might be fine with just a black swimsuit. I hope she doesn't let this hold her back.

My wife went on a shark dive during her period, we had no problemas at all.