Teens and swimming: Why are menstrual swimwear SO brilliant?
You might remember it yourself? The many times you had to "sit out" of swimming (or sports for that matter) because you had your period, as a very young person. An Australian study shows that up to 67% of young menstruating women skip the water when they have their period.
One thing is of course if you feel that your body needs a day of rest during your period. But now, as you know, gentle movement is really good for increasing well-being during menstruation, so if you have the courage, it is really good to move during the bleeding days .
But what do you do when you are young and menstruating, when it still feels vulnerable to let the world see that you are menstruating (e.g. through a pad in your panties, a tampon string or the like)? And you don't have many opportunities to bathe privately in a swimming pool or gym...
You use menstrual panties or menstrual swimwear. Underwear and swimwear with absorbent layers. Yes! It exists. It works. And it looks like all other swimwear and underwear.
For many teenagers , menstruation is still new, unpredictable (in the first year to a year and a half, you may experience irregular bleeding with great unpredictability) – and sometimes a little troublesome.
When you want to go to the swimming pool with your class, to the beach with your friends, or to jump into the waves on summer vacation, menstruation can quickly feel like a stumbling block.
But this is where menstrual swimwear comes in as a game changer. We launched it for adults in 2024. Now Johanne Bikini is coming to tweens and teens .
Safety in the water
In fact, the pressure of the water against your lower abdomen will already reduce the flow of your blood. But menstrual swimwear provides the extra security you need to move up and into the water. Menstrual swimwear is specially designed with discreet absorbent layers at the bottom of the swimsuit, so you can feel safe and protected – in the water as on land. This means you don’t have to worry about soaking wet or having to explain why you skipped your swim.
No tampons needed
Today, the average person starts menstruating at the age of 12. Using invasive menstrual products like cups and tampons doesn't necessarily fit a 12-year-old's anatomy. Not to mention the added mental pressure those products bring when you have to remember to change them regularly.
Menstrual swimwear works without additional products, so you can bathe without having to deal with something that might feel foreign to your body or borderline.
If you are bleeding heavily or have to bathe for a long time, you may want to consider combining it with a disc or cup.
When the cycle is irregular
For the first year or so after menarche (the first period), your cycle is often irregular. You may bleed suddenly before you expect it. With menstrual swimwear, you can jump in the pool without worrying – even on days when you're not quite sure if you're going to bleed.
Feels like regular swimwear
You won't feel like you look different - our menstrual swimwear looks and feels just like your regular bikini or swimsuit - just with built-in superpowers. No one can tell the difference, and it can give you a huge sense of normality and freedom. You often just want to look like everyone else, right?
A more environmentally friendly choice
When you're done with your bikini for the day and you've soaked in it, rinse the pad in cold water until the water runs reasonably clear. Then wash with like colors at 40 degrees and hang to dry.
This means your swimwear can be washed and used again and again, unlike disposable products. It's not only smart – it's also good for both your wallet and the planet.
Still unsure how it works? Send us an email. But in short: Menstrual swimwear gives tweens and teens the freedom to be part of the community, say yes to spontaneous swims, and feel confident in their own bodies – no matter what their cycle is going through.
We honestly think that's pretty amazing.
