Quiz the Coach - I Don't Like To Swim With My Period

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or hockey? Got a gripe about P.E. class, skateboarders, cheerleading, coaches, or anything? Why not ?

Hey Coach,
Sometimes when we swim at school, I'll have my period and not want to swim. But our P.E teacher just made a new rule that we have to swim every time unless we have a note from our doctor. I use pads so I can't swim with one on in swimming. I am 13 and my mom won't let me use tampons until I am 16. What should I do?
tweedle_do

Hey tweedle_do

It will probably seem awkward and uncomfortable, but you need to talk to both your P.E. teacher and your mom about your period predicament. Find out why your mom doesn't want you to use tampons. Explain to your mom that the best thing to do to be able to continue swimming while you've got your period is to use a tampon, as long as you remember to put a new one in before you get in the pool and change it when you get out. Tampons are just as safe for 13 year-olds to use as they are for 16 year-olds. Your mom may not know this, so you may have to educate her or ask her to check with a doctor. If your mom still won't let you use tampons, you could also try using a menstrual cup, which "catches" menstrual flow (blood) before it leaves the vagina. Just make sure you talk to your doctor and mother before using one.

It would also be a good idea to talk to your teacher. Once again, it may feel uncomfortable to talk about this kind of thing, but your P.E. teacher has likely encountered this situation before. There may even be other girls in your class who have similar concerns or issues about swimming with their period. Your teacher may be willing to let you do weight training or practice your swim strokes at the edge of the pool when you have your period. If you talk about the issue with your mom and teacher, you should be able to reach an understanding.

Do you need tips or advice on sports, fitness or health? to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

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