Truth behind why some people say you shouldn't take a bath on your period
For women who suffer from severe back and lower belly pains when their 'time of the month' rolls back around, taking a bath is seen as just what they need to take the edge off.
For others, however, the notion of climbing into a piping hot tub during menstruation can prove quite the stomach-churner.
Some picture gory, slasher film-style images of bath tubs filled to the brim with thick red blood, while others see themselves scrubbing stains from their porcelain basin afterwards.
Another group, however, might avoid soaking in a tub during their periods due to health concerns.
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'Is it safe?', 'Should I wear a tampon in there?', 'How about a menstrual cup?', 'Do I clean down there in the bath?', 'Which soaps are kinder to skin while bleeding?', are all questions that might come to find when someone suggests soaking your pain away.
As it happens, bathing while menstruating can pose a slight risk to health - but it can also come with some major advantages.
Why might bathing while on your period be considered 'risky'?
According to experts at Flo, there are several things you should know before taking a dip in the midst of your menstrual cycle.
Firstly, it can get messy. Remember the horror movie reference we made earlier? Well, the truth is, some women experience a significantly heavier flow while taking a bath in hot water.
In these cases, there's a good chance that some blood might make its way into the water. If you've got a stomach of steel, good for you. If you're on the squeamish side, you might want to avoid.
Secondly - and bear with us while we get biological - the cervix relaxes somewhat compared to normal when a women is on her period. It dilates in order to allow the uterus' lining to exit the body through the vagina.
When the cervix is open to let stuff out, however, it can also be susceptible to inadvertently allowing stuff in, like bad bacteria.
An infection from products such as out of date soap or contaminated bath bombs could enter the uterus while a woman is bleeding, hence why some may prefer to take a shower instead.
What are the advantages of bathing on your period?
However, there can be some major perks to taking a bath while in the midst of a period - the first being how clean it can make one feel.
Some women can suffer extreme body temperatures when menstruating, which can make them feel hot and bothered.
These, on top of fear surrounding any possible odour associated with period blood might spur one to shower or bathe more regularly.
On top of this, as we already mentioned, sometimes warm water can help to soothe menstrual cramps in either lower belly area, the back or the upper thighs. Hence why many also rely on hot water bottles during their 'time of the month'.
And lastly, warm baths have been scientifically linked to uplifts in a person's mood, which can be seen as a major perk while menstruating.
How 'best' to take a bath while menstruating?
If you've been tempted to draw yourself a bath by advantages like soothing your aches and pains or lifting your mood, then it's best you do it right.
Experts at Flo suggest washing your intimate area before climbing in, because - while it could seem counterintuitive - it would remove any blood on your skin or without your pubic hair that could have made its way into the water, into the cervix, etc.
They also note that you can use a tampon or menstrual cup in the bath if you'd prefer.
Just bare in mind, the former will need changing after a bath, given the ability of a tampon to soak up water.
Topics: Periods, Women's Health, Health, Life, Real Life, True Life
Rhianna Benson