My friend and I were talking about tampons and swimming. She told me that she read in a book that when you go swimming the discharge doesn't come out because of the water pressure. She also said she did it at my house once and it didn't come out. Do you have to wear a tampon to swim or just a small pad then change it every once in a while? Constance

You may have learned about "pressure" in science class at school. When the pressure in one area is higher than the pressure in another, it affects movement. Many times, the pressure of the water around you in your bath or swimming pool will be higher than the pressure of the menstrual blood coming out of you. Because of that, your flow may stop in the water temporarily. But definitely don't count on this to go swimming without wearing a tampon. That pressure may change if you laugh, cough, or move around at all, allowing your menstrual flow to come out into the water. It is not sanitary for you to swim with others when you have your period if you don't have a tampon in. Using a small pad does not work as it absorbs the water in the pool. I hope this answers your question. Iris