This Swimwear Comes In Clutch During Your Time Of The Month

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If there's anything that can turn a perfect summer day upside down, it's menstruating at the beach. Need I explain further? If you have a family vacation or even a chill pool day coming up, the last thing you want to deal with is your period. Let me introduce you to the wonderful world of period swimwear. Yup, these innovative bottoms and one-piece swimsuits make pool time enjoyable during (and even after) shark week.

Never heard of the wonderful invention? Period swimwear is very similar to period underwear, but it includes a waterproof layer that keeps you dry. Tampons or menstrual cups are also great options for swimming, but TBH, they're a gamble (and a bit tricky to use if you're new to them). Most period swimwear can hold multiple tampons worth of liquid in their gussets. Plus, they're totally discreet.

Period bathing suits are designed for any type of woman or even competitive swimmers. You can also use them as an alternative to an adult diaper. They're also great for young teens who are new to menstruation . Your daughter will not have to bat an eye about getting in the water, and an absorbent suit won't affect her swimming in any way, says Karla Welch, founder of The Period Company. "For some, period swimwear is easier than tampons," she says. "If you can swim well off your period, then you can swim well on your period, too."

Karla founded The Period Company for her children when they started menstruating. And hers is just one of the many great brands from where you can shop for the best period swimwear. Women's Health vetted thousands of reviews online and on Amazon for some of the other best suits to shop, from extra small to plus sizes. See below for the best period swimwear bottoms, one pieces, and bikinis you need for your next flow.

Menstrual Bikini Period Swimwear

If your daughter just started her period but doesn’t want to miss out on any family vacation time, this high-waisted bikini bottom is discreet, but provides ample leak coverage. It features a thin-looking material, but still has the absorbency of four tampons (that's not a typo!). The high waistline also provides a stylish twist and practical coverage for any kind of swimming experience. Reviewers say their young daughters love this suit and use it every time they start their cycle.

Rave Review: "My 11-year-old daughter just started her period, and tampons aren’t an option. I searched for these on a whim and cannot be more thankful they exist! Thank you for saving our beach trip. Period didn’t phase her!"

Period Friendly Swimwear

This one-piece by The Period People has a unique sloped back, so you won’t miss out on any style points just because you’re wearing a period swimsuit. The gusset is equipped with four layers of highly absorbent fabric, so you’ll be totally stress-free in the water. It also conveniently comes with bra pads built into the suit for extra coverage (and some extra protection if your breasts get sore during your time of the month). Plus, it’s machine-washable, so you can wear it over and over.

Rave Review: “The fabric of this swimsuit is comparable to expensive swimwear. The liner is smooth and soft, and is not obviously padded to the casual observer. This is a life saver for a tween girl and a weekend at a waterpark! Perfect fit, too.”

Leakproof Bikini Bottoms

Beautikini swim bottoms provide ample coverage with a leakproof, quick-drying gusset and full skirt bottom. The fit is comfortable and, although it only comes in one color, black is versatile enough to pair with any kind of swim top. The best part? It's super easy to clean. Just pop it in the washer and it's ready to wear.

Rave Review: "I love the length. This skirt is super soft and really pretty. It's also really flowy and sits beautifully. It's very comfortable to wear and I highly recommend you purchase it."

The Swim. Bikini

Welch started The Period Company to give her child, who started their period early, a better menstruation experience. This Period bikini bottom is soft, comfortable, and can absorb up to two tampons worth of blood. While you swim, the suit absorbs all your period blood on the inside, while keeping water on the outside, so you don’t experience a super baggy, heavy feeling.

Plus, this suit runs in a size XS and gets up to a 3X, so it fits many body shapes from petit to plus-size.

Rave Review: "I love these swim bottoms so much! I wear them even when I'm not menstruating. They fit well and I feel snug and safe from leaks. I haven't tested them on a heavy day, but these have been great for medium and light flow days at the pool. Definitely recommend!"

One-Piece Leakproof Swimsuit

This one-piece Beautikini swimsuit feels just like a normal suit with its breathable and lightweight fabric. Reviewers say that's their fave part! According to them, you legit can't tell this is period swimwear—there are no extra seams or thick materials. It also comes in three colors, which gives you more versatility than other options on this list. Its adjustable straps make it great for many bust sizes, too.

Rave Review: "Overall this is a great basic swimsuit to have, period or not. I like that the bikini line isn't too high so I don't have to worry about shaving, and the material is thick. It also has a slimming effect. This will definitely be my go-to if I happen to be on my period, but I would still use a tampon on my heavier days."

Menstrual Bikini Waterproof Bottom

These period bikini bottoms are designed to make you feel dry, comfortable, and completely stress-free. They come in six different colors, so you'll have plenty of options for style. What makes them unique, though, is the fabric. The bottoms are made with UPF 50+ materials, so they're perf for long days in the sun. You can finally chill out at the pool knowing you won't have any leakage or sun damage (but pls still apply SPF, of course).

Rave Review: "These are perfect for my daughter on vacation. Her cycle isn’t terribly heavy, so I can’t say how absorbent the panel is. There hasn’t been any leakage that I can tell, and that’s been a huge blessing."

Teen Period Swim Short

These KT by Knix period shorts are great if you don't feel comfortable wearing bikini bottoms on your period. Like the Leovqn pair, they're also made with 50+ UPF protection fabric. Reviewers like that these bottoms are stretchy with their 100 percent nylon material. One key piece of advice though: Size up. Some reviewers say they bought around two sizes bigger than they normally would in these shorts.

Rave Review: "I bought these for my daughter and they gave her confidence to swim again. They are super comfy and great quality! They also arrived in just a few days. I highly recommend!"

Period Swimwear

This Eifotjos one-piece is sophisticated yet practical. It offers up to four tampons-worth of absorbency (or 20 ml of liquid) and includes removable padding. It's also low-cut for a little bit of va-va-voom and the waist ruching also give it a unique look, making it a standout on this list in terms of style.

Rave Review: "It's good quality, fits true to size, and has a very nice design. This suit helps a lot, especially when you are allergic to tampons."

Period Swimwear Tank Set

Who says period swimwear has to be plain? This set is just one of the many tank set colors offered by Ruby Love. Plus, you won't miss out on any of the practicality of period swimwear. This set includes a cotton liner that can absorb up to three tampons-worth of blood. It can also be paired with Ruby Love's double-sided pad for twice the absorbency.

Rave Review: "The Ruby Love swimwear and underwear is by far the only product that worked for my two daughters. Both of my daughters wore their swimwear without any other protection for over eight hours at a water park."

How Our Team Chose The Best Period Swimwear

WH editorial assistant Olivia Evans researched the best period swimwear to shop on Amazon and online. She consulted Karla Welch, founder of The Period Company, and vetted thousands of reviews to find a range of the very best options available online.

How does period swimwear work?

Period swimwear works very similarly to menstrual pads. According to Welch, most swimwear traps blood in a gusset and has several layers for ample protection and coverage. Most suits on this list can trap up to three tampons-worth of blood in their gussets before they need to be changed or emptied.

To empty blood out of your suit, you have to wring it out, which Welch compares to switching out your tampon. "You just squeeze the gusset to get the blood out, wash your hands, and you're on your way again," she says. Welch also recommends shopping for period apparel that is free of toxins, like The Period Company's The Swim. Bikini.

Can you swim in period swimwear?

Um, of course! All period swimwear is designed to swim in, and you may even be able to swim comfortably without any other menstruation product as a supplement (i.e. no need for tampons or menstrual cups). Like any other period product, though, you should take into account how heavy your flow is on a given day.

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