Australian summer runs from December to February, so with the season only weeks away, beach days are already going into the calendar. Before you think about your period, think about the water: healthdirect's beach safety guide says to always swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches, and calls rip currents the main hazard on Australian beaches.
If your period lands on a beach weekend, your period cup can come along. Here is what Australian health sources say about swimming with a menstrual cup, staying sun-safe and knowing when to get help.
Quick answer: Yes, pack your period cup: Jean Hailes lists menstrual cups as suitable for swimming. The Lunette period cup can be worn for up to 8 hours, so plan an emptying stop if you are out for longer than that. Swim between the flags, drink water before you feel thirsty and use a water-resistant SPF30+ sunscreen.
Can you swim at the beach with a period cup in?
Yes. Jean Hailes for Women's Health says products like tampons and menstrual cups are safe and suitable for activities like swimming. Healthdirect explains that a menstrual cup is placed inside the vagina to collect blood and uses suction to stay in place. You need to empty it when it is full.
The Lunette period cup is made from 100% medical-grade silicone, and the Danish testing lab TÆNK found no unwanted substances in it.
How long can a period cup stay in on a hot beach day?
Lunette's Australian product page gives a wear time of up to 8 hours. On a long beach day, that may mean one emptying stop in the afternoon. Jean Hailes notes there have been a very small number of toxic shock syndrome cases in people who used a menstrual cup, and that more research is needed, so stick to the stated wear time rather than stretching it.
How do you empty a period cup at a beach toilet block?
- Wash your hands, then remove the cup and tip the blood into the toilet.
- Rinse the cup with cold water.
- Wash it with warm water and Lunette Cup Wash or a mild, unscented soap.
- No basin in the cubicle? Wipe it with a Lunette Cup Wipe, reinsert it, and wash it under running water when you get home.
Cup Wash needs water, so for beaches with basic facilities, a few Cup Wipes in your bag are the easier option.
How do you stay sun-safe and hydrated on your period?
Healthdirect's sunburn and sun protection page recommends sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or higher, and the familiar routine of slip, slop, slap, seek and slide. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF30+ and reapply often. Water and light sand can increase your UV exposure, so the shoreline is not the place to skip it.
For heat, the Better Health Channel advises drinking water even before you feel thirsty, especially when you are outdoors and active, and wearing light, loose-fitting clothing.
When to see a doctor
- A sudden high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, aching muscles, confusion or a sunburn-like rash on the hands and feet can signal toxic shock syndrome: call triple zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department, as healthdirect advises.
- Sunburn with large areas of blistering, severe pain or signs of infection such as fever or yellow crusts needs a doctor.
- Dizziness, tiredness or passing less urine after a day in the sun can be signs of dehydration worth getting checked.
- Heatstroke is a medical emergency: call 000 and ask for an ambulance.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean if there are no flags on the beach?
Healthdirect says the red and yellow flags mark the area lifeguards are watching, so no flags means no supervision. Its rule of thumb is simple: no flags, no swim. Look for signs at the beach entrance for local information, swim with someone else, and never swim after drinking alcohol.
What should go in my beach bag on a period day?
Pack your period cup in its linen pouch, a few Lunette Cup Wipes, water-resistant SPF30+ sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses that meet Australian Standards. Add plenty of water, since the Better Health Channel suggests drinking before you feel thirsty. Healthdirect also recommends clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
Should I take Size 1 or Size 2 to the beach?
Your flow decides it, not the location. Lunette recommends Size 1 for a light to medium flow, a low cervix, teens, strong pelvic floor muscles or a sensitive bladder, and Size 2 for a medium to heavy flow or a higher cervix. Size 2 holds 30 ml, Size 1 holds 25 ml.
Summer beach days coming up? The Lunette period cup is made from 100% medical-grade silicone and can be worn for up to 8 hours. Not sure which size fits your flow? The period cup size guide compares Size 1 and Size 2.
General information only, not medical advice. If something doesn't feel right after a day at the beach, see your GP.
