Dear xgirl6,

No, this is not true — swimming will not affect menstrual flow. It is perfectly safe and healthy for a girl to go swimming when she has her period.

Most girls who go swimming when they have their periods usually use tampons or menstrual cups instead of pads to prevent menstrual flow from leaking out. The walls of a vagina hold a tampon in place, so it should stay put while swimming, exercising, or playing sports. It's a good idea to change a tampon every four to six hours to prevent leakage. Menstrual cups "catch" menstrual flow before it leaves the vagina. The cup is shaped like a diaphragm, and it rests between the pubic bone and the cervix at the opening of the uterus.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.