Period swimwear FAQs, answered:
Is there a way to swim during your period?
Swimming on your period is entirely possible with the right menstrual products. We recommend trying various options — single-use tampons, menstrual cups, and period pants — to see which suits your lifestyle best. Tampons and menstrual cups are often popular choices as they sit internally, absorbing menstrual blood inside the vagina and preventing leaks.
Period swimwear is another option, fitted with a discreet, absorbent gusset which can often hold up to four tampons’ worth of blood, urine and sweat. Choosing the right product for you depends on personal style and flow.
Does period swimwear really work?
In short, yes. Just like period underwear, the super-absorbent lining absorbs period blood to keep you clean, dry, and fresh. The only real difference is the addition of a water-repellent outer layer. “Our period-proof swimwear features a hidden built-in protective layer that quickly wicks moisture away and locks in liquid, preventing any leaks,” explains Paige Fashoni, Founder and Managing Director of Fluxies.
“The water-resistant outer layer allows water to simply roll off, stopping any water from getting to the inside of the swimwear and keeping you fresh and dry. They’re great for a moderate flow — absorbing the same amount as approximately three tampons worth — and can be worn for up to eight hours.”
She continues: “We’ve also used recycled nylon for our Swim Range, made from waste like water bottles and fishing nets, and 5% of all profits go to The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation that works hard to clear plastic from our rivers and oceans.”
You can pop period bikinis and one-piece swimming costumes in for a quick, dark machine wash after rinsing them out, let them air-dry, and you’re ready to go again the next day, sans any waste. Sustainability creds? Check. As for styles, there are tons to choose from, including period swimsuits and period-proof bikini briefs, most of which come with matching triangle bikini tops.
Meet the experts:
How I test the best period swimwear:
It’s a shopping editor’s primary concern: supplying readers with independent, honest and trustworthy reviews on the products they want and need most. For the last three years, I’ve personally trialled a host of period swimwear styles while on my holidays — by that, I mean while in the sea, for dips in chlorine pools, while lounging on sunbeds, wearing at the spa at various points in my cycle — to find the very best.
For all styles, from cheeky bikinis to midi briefs and absorbent thongs, I rated them against the following criteria:
| Functionality | Did they keep me dry and odour-free? Did they absorb as much liquid as they claim? Did I have any issues with leaking? Was the fit secure and not overly snug? |
| Design | Are they aesthetic and comfortable, with no issues in terms of chafing or twisting? How many options did I have when it came to colour and pattern? What are they made from, and what are their sustainability creds (any recycled materials etc.)? |
| Price point | Would I be willing to spend that much per pair? Are they good quality? |
| Delivery | How quickly did each pair arrive, and what were the associated costs? |
But because we’re all different in terms of our body shape, flow, and favoured underwear cut, I also asked my fellow Glamour editors to weigh in on which brands and styles they love, which influenced which I tested myself.
In terms of what I’m currently testing, stay tuned for these reviews:
Why you can trust me:
I’ve been obsessed with down there for a while — and by that, I mean my full-time job for the last three years (one year at Women’s Health, and two years at Glamour) has been to review the latest menstrual health innovations (period pants, menstrual cups and reusable sanitary pads) and sexual wellness launches.
During that time, I’ve seen countless trends and advancements, including a boom in our options and the emergence of more streamlined styles. But to ensure I am an authority on absorbent undies, I regularly attend press days, read the latest journals, interview gynaecologists, women’s health experts, and brand founders, plus personally review as many new launches as possible.
Personally, I made the switch to period pants back in December 2023, sick of spending a small fortune on unsustainable disposable tampons. I’ve tried more than 50 different styles, including period thongs and period swimwear — although I will admit that it took me a while to get on board with the latter, worried they would be bulky, obvious and overly absorbent. However, after trialling countless styles from the likes of WUKA, Modibodi, Lunation, Step One and Amazon, I can say I’m a certified convert. In fact, rarely do I pack tampons or pads when heading on my holidays anymore.