Raise your hand if your period makes you want to give yourself the ultimate pamper session. 🙋 Us too! From treating yourself to skincare tailored to your menstrual phase, to tucking into your favourite book, a period pamper is essential in our eyes. But if you usually unwind by having a candlelit soak in the bath, can you still live the dream during your period? Here’s everything you need to know about having a bath on your period.
Can you have a bath on your period?
In short, YES you can have a bath on your period! Some people might not like the idea of this and that’s okay if you don’t feel like it’s for you. Ultimately, it’s about listening to your body, your needs, and your own comfort levels.
Can you take a bath or shower with a tampon in?
Yes, you absolutely can take a bath or shower with a tampon in. Wearing a tampon can help to reduce any menstrual blood leaking in the bath or when you get out of the tub. You might prefer to wear a tampon when you wash, but it isn’t necessary if you don’t want to.
How to have a bath on your period
Taking a bath on your period isn’t much different to taking a bath off your period. Simply run your bath, add natural oils and salts to your liking, dip in, relax, and wash yourself as usual!
If you’re worried about leaking in the bath, you can put a tampon or menstrual cup in before hopping in. Tampons, however, can absorb water so be sure to change it after taking your bath to avoid infections. Find out more about how often you should change your period products.
How to have a shower on your period
Unlike taking a bath, it’s better to take your tampon or menstrual cup out before or during a shower. The blood will rinse off and run down the drain and you can ensure you’re cleaning yourself thoroughly.
If you’re a pad-wearer, you may notice the dried blood washing off, which simply means you’re washing off any potential infections and odours.
Bear in mind, your vagina is self-cleaning. All you need is clean, warm water to wash around your vagina. If you’re using a hand-held showerhead, angle the water outside of your vagina, not straight into your vagina.
Avoid supposedly “pH balancing”, “vaginal douche” or scented products that only cause irritation and can actually affect your vagina’s pH.
Are there any risks to having a bath on your period?
Having a bath while you’re menstruating isn’t risky or dangerous, but there are a couple of things worth remembering to get the most out of your bath routine.
Watch the temperature
Remember that your body temperature may be higher around the menstrual phase of your cycle. So if you’re prone to getting hot flashes, try to avoid running the bath too hot and aim for a warm temperature instead. You could even open a window to let in a cool breeze to avoid getting too hot or light-headed.
Keep it pH friendly
Also, while bubble bath and bath bombs might be a nice addition, be cautious using these when on your period. Chemicals and dyes can cause vaginal irritation and may affect your pH balance, which can already be quite sensitive when you’re menstruating. Instead, stick to natural essential oils, Epsom salts, or nothing at all.
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Why have a bath on your period?
Now you know that it’s safe to have a bath during your period, here are some of the reasons why it might even be a great time of the month for a soak:
Relax and unwind
Baths are a simple way to help you feel totally relaxed, which is especially needed when your hormones are in overdrive during your period. There’s no doubt that bathing in warm water induces a feeling of comfort, peace, and easiness – and some experts suggest that this is because it has connotations of being in the womb. After a long day of dealing with PMS symptoms, taking a few moments to yourself to unwind in the bath can really work magic.
Pain relief
Not only are baths during your period good for helping you squeeze in some me time, warm water on the skin can also help to alleviate PMS symptoms. If you use a hot water bottle or heating pad during your period, you’ll know that heat can relieve period pain and discomfort in your pelvic muscles and lower back – it can boost endorphins and stimulate your circulation. The same applies for warm bath water, so when your period pains are at their worst consider running yourself a bath for natural pain relief.
Beat period insomnia
If you have trouble sleeping on your period, having a bath can help you to sleep better. This is because the rapid cool down of temperature after a warm bath signals to the body that it’s time for bed. Try to avoid screen time after an evening bath if you want to make catching your Zs even easier.
Does taking a bath stop your period?
Believe it or not, this is a common menstruation myth. Being submerged in water does not (entirely) stop you bleeding in the bath when on your period. Some people might feel like their flow does stop when in the bath or swimming on their period, and this is to do with water pressure and buoyancy. The pressure of the water can create an upward force that is exerted, just by the simple act of physics. That being said, you may experience blood in the bath if you’re having a heavier flow. If you want to avoid this, choose to have a bath on days when you’re bleeding lighter or wear a tampon in the bath.
Regular cleaning on your period is essential to avoid bacteria build up and infections! Taking a bath on your period is absolutely safe and can be a great way to reduce pain and increase relaxation during a time when you might need it most. It’s important to listen to your body and be kind to yourself during your cycle – so if you’re feeling a little heavier but still want a bath, the option to wear a tampon is there. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of wearing a tampon in the bath – that’s okay too. So, dim the lights, light some candles, put your most chill playlist on and enjoy!
Do you take baths on your period, or is it just not for you? Let us know in the comments below!
Using an ice pack on your period does it relieve it.
Absolutley eith a tampon but prefer to just shower in those times
Yes I do take baths I find it truly relaxing and helps with the pain
I honestly just took a bath on my period, I feel as good as new! Glad you could help since keeping your vagina is pretty important too!
Just some things you should do while having a bath while you menustrate:
1. Clean the area. ONLY WITH WATER. I know it might be a bit scary for girls who are on their first period but trust me, it’ll help you a ton.
2. Avoid anything that can disturb your PH Levels like bath bombs. I’d say even avoid any soap in your area if it stings you easily. And remember the vagina is a self cleaning organ aswell in case you use any soap or gel on it!
3. Get outside quickly and first thing put a pad/tampon on. Your flow might feel like stopped when you have a bath but within 1 minute it WILL start again.
It was a great way to end my cramp for a few hours. I really recommend it. It really does work.
I love soaking in a hot bath, I keep a pair of clean pants ready with a fresh sanitary pad. After drying down there with a old red towel, I don the clean pants and pad, toss the old towel in the wash, and then can take my time pampering me.
Myself, I take a full-on hot bath,soak, scrub all the dead skin off my feet, exfoliate my skin all over the body, and when I’m done soaking and shaving and all that I let the water out and I stand up and turn the shower on to wash and rinse. This way I get the full effects of the bath with the cleanliness of the shower. It feels great!