If you're new to wearing menstrual tampons or have ever paused before stepping into the shower with one in, you're not alone in wondering whether it's best to keep it in or out. So, can you shower with a tampon in? The short answer is that you can absolutely shower with a tampon in, but you don't have to, either.
Here's why many people might want to bathe with a tampon in during their periods, why some may choose not to, and how to stay clean and comfortable whichever route you go.
Showering With a Tampon In Is a Common Choice
Lots of people opt to keep their tampons in while showering. In most cases, it'll stay in place during a shower and can help manage flow, just like during any other activity. Your tampon will prevent blood from dripping down your leg as you lather up, shave your legs, wash your body, and do whatever else you need to attend to in the shower. It'll continue to work as you rinse off. And since you don't need to cleanse inside your vagina (only outside and around), keeping a tampon in won't affect how clean you're able to get.
Leaving a tampon in can also help you avoid blood dripping onto the floor or bathmat when you step out of the shower. And you can keep blood off your towel as you dry off.
As with swimming, it's totally fine to get your tampon string wet. You can dry it off with a towel while drying the rest of your body, or change to a new tampon if you want to start with a dry one when getting dressed. For many, leaving a tampon in can make a showering routine feel more convenient. It's a common choice, especially on heavier flow days. Tampons and swimming often go hand in hand, and the same logic applies to showering—moisture won’t affect the tampon’s effectiveness.
When You Might Want to Change a Tampon Before Showering
It's fine to shower with a tampon in. But sometimes, you might want to change your tampon before hopping in the shower.
If It's Been Several Hours Since You've Changed Your Tampon
How long can you leave a tampon in? If it's been several hours since you changed your tampon, a fresh one might feel more comfortable while washing your hair and body. Plus, starting with a dry one may help your tampon stay in place in the shower.
You can also wear your current tampon during the shower and swap it out right after. Either way, changing your tampon around your shower time can help keep things fresh.
Made with organic cotton cores and featuring BPA-free applicators, Rael’s organic cotton care tampons offer up to eight hours of leak-free protection and slide in easily and comfortably. Rael also offers different types of tampons to suit your flow level and personal preferences, making it easier to find the right fit for your comfort.
When You Might Want to Go Without a Tampon
Can you shower without a tampon in on heavy flow days? Yes, that's totally okay too.
If Showering Is More Comfortable, Tampon-Free
If you prefer not to, you definitely don't have to shower with a tampon in. Some find it more comfortable not to and instead put one in after stepping out. Others might go without one near the end of their cycle or on lighter period days when they wear panty liners rather than tampons.
When a tampon gets too saturated with water, it might feel heavier or begin to slip out. If that's happened to you before, you might choose to go without a tampon and start with a fresh, dry one as soon as you get out. Just think about having one ready to go and within reach when you step out of the shower so you don't get blood on the floor, your towel, or your underwear. (And if you do get blood on these things, no worries! It'll wipe or wash off.)
If You Don't Wear Tampons in General
Those who exclusively wear pads or period underwear instead of tampons typically shower without anything soaking up their flow. It's no biggie if blood drips out while you're in the shower—just rinse it off or use body wash if you'd like. On lighter flow days, you might not even notice any blood coming out.
What Happens to Menstrual Blood in the Shower Without a Tampon?
If you choose not to wear tampon in shower, especially during heavier flow days, you might notice menstrual blood mixing with the water and running down the drain. This is totally normal. Your flow may temporarily stop or slow while standing due to gravity or water pressure, then resume once you're out. It's nothing to worry about and doesn’t mean something is wrong with your menstruation cycle. Just keep a fresh product nearby if you're stepping out without one, and rinse off as needed for good hygiene.
What If the Tampon String Gets Wet?
As mentioned, it's okay if the tampon string gets wet in the shower, when taking a bath, or while swimming. In fact, tampons are designed to be exposed to moisture. Rael's tampons, for instance, have cotton strings coated with water-repellent wax.
If a wet string feels uncomfortable, you can tuck it aside before getting in the shower or just pat it dry with a towel when you get out. But a wet string won't affect the absorbency of the tampon itself.
Can You Pee With a Tampon In: Before or After a Shower?
Yes, you can pee with a tampon in before or after taking a shower. Many people use the bathroom with a tampon in place. It sits snugly in the vaginal canal without the need to contract bladder or pelvic floor muscles, so it doesn't interfere with urination.1 Still, you might want to check to see if your tampon needs changing after peeing.
Tips for a Comfortable Shower During Your Period
Beyond figuring out when to change your tampon (or whether to go without one), here's what you can do to stay comfortable in the shower during your period:
- Cleanse gently: Again, you only need to cleanse the outer part of your intimate areas (the vulva)—there is no need to wash internally. Take care and be gentle as you wash.
- Reach for fragrance-free products: Unscented products like Rael's Gentle Foaming Vaginal Wash are ideal for washing your vulva to avoid irritation and maintain natural pH balance.2
Our guide has more tips for how to choose a vaginal wash.
Are There Alternatives to Tampons in the Shower?
If tampons don’t feel like the right choice for you, there are other good options you can consider during menstruation.
For example, many prefer using a menstrual cup, which also sits inside the vaginal canal and collects menstrual blood rather than absorbing it. Like tampons, it can stay in place while showering without issue, as long as it’s inserted properly. Others go without anything at all and simply rinse any bleeding away.
Ultimately, whether you wear a tampon in the shower, try a cup, or go without anything is about what fits your personal comfort, lifestyle, and flow level. Everybody is different, and your period routine should work for you.
Do What Feels Right for Your Body
Can you shower with a tampon in? You sure can, but you don't have to. Whether you keep your current tampon in, swap it before you step in, or choose to shower tampon-free, it's all about what feels best for you.
With Rael, you can make that time of the month feel like any other day. Your period care routine should support your comfort, and we're here to help make that easier. Shop always-comfy menstrual tampons, OCS-certified organic cotton pads, gentle vaginal wash, vaginal wipes, and other vulva care products for every stage of your cycle.
Sources:
- Pintos-Díaz MZ, et al. "The Use of Disposable Tampons as Visual Biofeedback in Pelvic Floor Muscle Training." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 Jun. 2019, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6616577/. Accessed on Jul. 30, 2025.
- Raef HS and Elmariah SB. "Vulvar Pruritus: A Review of Clinical Associations, Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Management." Frontiers in Medicine (Lausanne), 7 Apr. 2021, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8058221/. Accessed on Jul. 30, 2025.