Periods and leotards

[rachel_ballet]

Sorry, but I couldn't think of a better title for this!
I am a ballet dancer and I have ballet class twice a week.
I started having my period six months ago. So far I've been lucky and when I'm at ballet, I've either started my period, which is when I use a tampon, or I'm not having my period at all. I'm just worried what might happen if it's the day that I should be starting my period, but haven't yet, and I'm at ballet class that night and it starts. I've heard that you shouldn't insert a tampon if you're not having your period, but pads are just too uncomfortable wearing a leotard and tights. I usually wear a light blue or light pink leo, so any amount of blood is gonna instantly show through and be quite embarrassing. :whoops:I thought about this last Thursday when I had to do a solo recital dance in front of an audience. Luckily my period didn't start 'til the next day, but I was sooo scared that it would happen in the middle of recital. Any advice or suggestions would be great!

[Magenta]

Yeah, I used to do dance and pads are the most uncomfortable thing under a leotard and tights. Plus, if you're like me who has to use heavy pads... hell, I'm 19 and I'm still embarrassed if anyone can see an outline.

Because you're young, it's harder to predict your period. You can use a calendar to start mapping it out and seeing, on average, how many days are in between each one and plan around that. Try wearing panty-liners if you think you're about to get it, double up if you're worried. If you're like me, you can usually tell when you're about to get your period. I start feeling bloated, somewhat crampy, and I feel like I'm "leaking" even if it isn't blood just yet. For some reason I usually seem to get my period first thing in the morning so I'm usually good but I remember when it was all over the place. But if you start to get more in tune with your body and can tell when you're about to get it, just excuse yourself for a moment, make sure it's your period and put a tampon in.

You can also, if you're comfortable with it, look into menstrual cups. I've personally never used one but they're safe to wear on "just in case" days because they don't have the absorbency that tampons do that can damage the amount of vaginal fluids that keep your vagina clean and healthy. That may be a good alternative since it's internal.

If you feel comfortable and your ballet teacher is a woman, feel free to ask her for help. I'm sure she won't find it awkward at all because a) she's been there and b) you're probably not the first girl with this problem. She may be able to help you with that issue better than we can because she'll have all the tricks of the trade up her sleeves. :)

[rachel_ballet]

Thanks for the advice! I'll try some of those ideas!

[emily-candace]

Well either way I would put in a fresh tampon right before you dance just in case something happens or use a moon cup.

[allisonmyers]

def do the fresh tampon asap and def carry spares in your dance bag

[jenny2234]

I would be so scared wearing a leotard while on my period. I'd probably put in a fresh tampon and a small pad to be safe.

[allisonmyers]

small pads in a leotard always seem huge to me