Road test: Does period swimwear actually work?
Image via @pom_peaceofmind_/instagram
Words by Kaya Martin
Beach bliss.
Even though I’ve been dealing with my period for more than a decade now, there’s still something about the idea of a leisurely beach trip on day two of my cycle that fills me with utter dread. What should be a relaxing activity becomes an exercise in enduring paranoia, and I don’t know about you, but that’s not typically how I like to spend my summer afternoons.
Because let’s be real, sometimes even a super-sized tampon doesn’t cut it. And don’t even get me started on a Diva Cup – I know some people swear by them, but after seeing that Tiktok where a girl had hers fall out on the train, there’s no way I’d trust one to handle a swim in the waves.
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All of this is quite a bummer, because going for a swim would be a great thing to do on your period if it wasn’t so stressful. The cool water and warm sun can help ease cramps, and a little bit of self care goes along way to battle any other PMS symptoms that arise.
So what are we supposed to do then, waste precious days of summer bleeding alone, cursing the world that we were born with a uterus? According to Australian swimwear company POM (Peace Of Mind) that’s not the answer, thank God.
The brand offers two types of period swimwear; a low-rise pair and a high-rise pair, both in black, designed to provide comfort and protection no matter where you’re at in your cycle. As well as period swimwear, POM also makes period panties with the goal of reducing menstrual-related waste.
The webpage says the swimwear bottoms are “100% leakproof” and able to provide “full peace of mind – even in the water or lying on a white towel”, which, as someone who doesn’t even trust a damn Diva Cup, I had my suspicions about.
But with an open mind and a mid-cycle flow, I decided to give them a try. I chose the low-waisted option and I have to admit, when they arrived in the mail I was surprised by how cute they were. Holding the bikini bottoms in my hands, the material felt different than typical swimwear – a little more plasticy, with a thin layer of absorbent padding on the inside, which I hoped wouldn’t be noticeable when I put them on. The full coverage backside isn’t something I’d typically choose if I wasn’t on my period, but it’s definitely an asset here.
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They had a snug fit and were flattering on the body. Once on, you couldn’t even notice the absorbent layer. From the outside, they just look like just a typical pair of bikini bottoms. Off to a good start!
Whatever fabric magic the POM team is working with ensures they are extremely absorbent. I had complete confidence they could absorb just about anything, even in the water.
However, the problem came with moving around. Sitting in different positions, rolling over to tan on my back and walking from the sand to the water all proved to be dangerous opportunities for leakage. I think if you were to sit completely still or be exceedingly careful not to make any wrong moves, the period swimwear would have passed the white towel test with flying colours, but unfortunately, that’s not super realistic.
That being said, I still think they are an excellent product. If you were to wear them on one of the later, lighter days of your cycle (or if you’re one of those lucky people who just doesn’t bleed that much), you’d be totally fine. On the most intense days of my period, I’d choose to pair them with a tampon as well, but maybe I’m being overly cautious.
I feel like much of the fear we have as adults around our periods stems from childhood, when we were violently thrust from girlhood into womanhood and forced to deal with the inconvenience of having a body for the first time. Over time, we learn to quell these feelings of shame because having a period is completely normal. But for many of us, they never completely go away.
That, in my eyes, is the real beauty of this product: its ability to give young girls, especially those who aren’t yet comfortable using tampons, a little extra comfort and reassurance during a vulnerable time. For some, it could be the difference between going for a swim or sitting on the sidelines, which means it could help free people from period-related embarrassment from the very start. You could always bring a red beach towel?
For more on period swimwear, head here.
