Swimming in the time of The Crimson Tide.

We have all been there. You spend weeks and months planning for that perfect weekend getaway. You book that perfect little cottage in your Airbnb Wishlist, with it's own pool, just a few minutes walk from the beach. And just when your perfect weekend is about to start, you are get a visit from Aunt Flo. Hello Shark Week!

Of course menstruation is the essential component of a woman's being and is an indication of good health, a good hormonal balance, the essence of a woman's reproductive life. It's a blessing that needs to be celebrated; but not on my vacation!

It was sometime back that I finally had a few holidays which turned my weekend into a long weekend, that was perfect for a short trip. It was a perfect vacation up until the moment I went to change for the pool and realised that I had brought along another visitor with me, my periods.

Although periods can be a nuisance at times, it need not spoil your entire holiday. There is no reason why you cannot swim during periods.

There are a thousand myths circulating when it comes to menstruation and this is one of those. Swimming and menstruation.

The first question that pops into ones head is if it's safe?

Of course it's safe. In no way menstruation incapacitates you to swim. The water does not enter your vagina and there is no chance of infection.

I remember a scene from a movie I had watched long back, where a teenage girl is shamed when she gets into the pool and the water around her turns red (indicating leaking menstrual blood). This, scientifically does not happen. The pressure in the pool actually reduces the flow of your periods and it usually does not leak out. Your period does not stop, the flow does, for the time you are in the water.

The next query that comes along with this information is what kind of feminine products do you use while swimming?

My first choice always will be the cup. It is the most inconspicuous period product in all senses and is perfectly safe for swimming or sports. But yes, a majority of the population is still getting their way around it.

Tampons are equally safe. All you need to do is tuck the string in your bathing suit to avoid any fashion emergency.

Pads and liners are not recommended to be used in the pool. They are made for soaking, and they will soak water as well. From there it just gets bulky, messy and uncomfortable. The glue on the other side stops working when soaked in water and there is a chance it might slip off.

So, we are sorted with what to use. Now the next issue is hygiene. How hygienic it is in a common pool? There are chances of me contaminating the pool. What about that? Isn't it better for others that we don't enter the pool during periods?

It is highly unlikely that there will ne any leakage of blood if you are using tampons or cups. Even if you got your periods while you were in the pool, that small amount of blood will be diluted by the water. The pool water usually contains chlorine and there a system of disinfection in place. The way the small amount of sweat and urine present in pools get filtered out, the same way that small amount of blood is filtered out. You are not contaminating or infecting anyone if you are swimming during your menses.

There has been a myth circulating that swimming in the open water during periods will attract sharks. I understand the concern here, sharks can smell blood. But they can also smell urine, sweat and other body fluids and other beings. Let's just sadly accept the fact that they are not into you as much as they are into their other food sources.

Till date, there have been no record of deaths or attacks by sharks on women swimming during periods. So, it's safe to say, you are safe from sharks.

There is also a small benefit that does not get mentioned as much. Swimming also helps relieve you of those wretched menstrual cramps. It increases the pelvic blood flow, relaxes your muscles and gives your body a soothing effect.

So, here is one thing you can tick off your Can't Do During Periods list.

Put on some sunblock, pick up your hats and towels and head out to the beach or the pool.

If you are still hesitant, leave your doubts and questions in the comments section and i will get back with updates.