At Planned Parenthood, we understand that your period is a normal (if not always welcome) part of life — and that it can be harder to track your period and manage your birth control method in the midst of vacation schedules and travel. This summer, Spot On, Planned Parenthood’s free period tracker and birth control app, makes it easier for you to understand your unique cycle so that you can rule it, instead of it ruling you.
Here is a helpful guide to having the best summer ever, period or no period.
By Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Swimming? Use a tampon or menstrual cup if you’re going to be in the water while on your period.
During summer, you don’t have to avoid cooling off in the water just because you have your period. Tampons or menstrual cups should keep you leak-free.
Remember to change out of your bathing suit or wet clothes to avoid infection.
It’s actually normal for yeast to live and grow in your vagina – as well as your mouth and intestines. A yeast infection occurs when yeast, also called candida, grows too much – often when the normal conditions of the vagina have changed and the balance is thrown off. It can happen for a lot of reasons: certain antibiotics, changes in hormone levels, pregnancy, etc. Yeast likes to grow in damp places, so one way to prevent an infection is to keep your genital area as dry as possible: rinse and dry thoroughly after showers, use dry towels, and – you guessed it – avoid sitting around in a wet swimsuit.
In addition to avoiding sitting around in a wet pair of underwear or a wet bathing suit for very long, you should be cautious about spending too much time in fabric that doesn’t breathe well – like some exercise shorts – which can trap moisture and heat and put you at a higher risk of yeast or bacterial infections.
Symptoms of a yeast infection include abnormal vaginal discharge that is thick, white, and odorless, as well as itching or burning. There are many different treatments for a yeast infection including pills, creams, suppositories and vaginal and oral tablets, and many of these are available over the counter. Check with your provider or a Planned Parenthood health center before picking up over-the-counter medications so you can be sure that you’re following the right treatment plan.
It’s ok to go commando.
Giving your vulva a chance to breathe can be a good thing – and there’s nothing inherently unhealthy about going without undies. Vaginal discharge is perfectly normal, but it can leave a stain on underwear or clothing. Most people wear underwear to feel comfortable and keep their clothes clean, but it’s totally up to you.
If you do wear underwear, make sure you change into a clean, dry pair every day. The most important thing is to wear what makes you comfortable while simultaneously keeping your vulva clean and dry. You can do this by wearing cotton underwear or clothes, or a similar fabric that wicks away moisture from the skin. If you’re not inclined to give up daytime underwear, you might want to lose your underwear at night and just wear a comfy pair of cotton pajamas.
Traveling can mess with the timing of your period.
Sometimes when we’re headed out on vacation, our periods can be late catching the flight. There are a lot of reasons your menstrual cycle may change, including your birth control method, illness, medication, over-exercising, poor nutrition, stress, sudden weight gain or loss – and traveling.
So it’s normal to see differences in your period if you’re traveling – but if you’ve had unprotected sex or think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test or visit your local Planned Parenthood health center.
If wedding season is cramping your style, know that you don’t have to get your period every month.
That’s right: If you are using hormonal birth control, like birth control pills, the implant, or the IUD, there’s no medical reason why you need to get your period every month. Combination birth control pills can be used to control when and how often you have your period. Some pills are specially packaged for you to have only a few periods a year, and others can also be used continuously to prevent having periods.
Sometimes periods cause severe health problems (like anemia or painful cramps), and sometimes people just simply don’t want to bleed or have cramps every month. Sometimes you have a really important date with a bridesmaid dress and you don’t want to be thinking about your period. Either way, it’s totally fine to use hormonal birth control to regulate or eliminate your period. If you want to skip or stop having periods, talk with your doctor or nurse about how this is done.
Nix the sex on the beach.
Sex on the beach or in a pool might seem romantic in the movies but, sex and water – chlorinated, natural, or salt water – generally don’t mix well. Water washes away your natural lubricant, so you could experience more chafing and discomfort. If you’re using a condom, less lubrication means more risk that the condom could rip or tear. The odds are even worse in a hot tub, since heat increases the risk of tearing.
The natural water of lakes and rivers contains bacteria, which could find its way into your vagina during sexual activity, putting you at risk for infections. Chlorinated water can also contain bacteria, so pools aren’t necessarily safer. And the chemicals used in pools and hot tubs could disrupt your body’s natural balance and cause a yeast infection, as well as irritate your more sensitive regions. Bottom line: it’s best to stay out of the water if you’re planning to get intimate.
Wherever you get lucky this summer, remember to use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Stay away from “feminine washes” or douching, year round.
You don’t need to use feminine washes or douches to be fresh and clean – and they can actually actually be harmful to your body. Scented products often have harsh chemicals that strip away the natural and healthy bacteria that are in the vagina. This can irritate vaginal skin, and leave the vagina prone to infection from other bacteria. The vagina is self cleaning, so you don’t need to add all of these cleaning products. Just use a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.
