Every single one of my girlfriends has heard me rave about period pants. But period swimwear? Something I just couldn’t get my head around. Because how could they effectively hold the contents of my monthly cycle while I dipped mindlessly in and out of the pool? Safe to say, I was hesitant for no reason because they really have saved my summer already. Yep, 10 days on a cruise around Greece, and I didn’t have to call on a single-use tampon once.
Yep, there have been major advancements in the world of reusable menstruation products, meaning leak-proof swimwear is more effective (and aesthetic) than ever before. And with new research suggesting that 9 in 10 women and girls (86%) experience mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression, linked to their periods, why not remove some of those concerns about leaks and/or plastic pollution with absorbent bikini bottoms or swimsuits?
Luckily, we — a team of menstrating GLAMOUR writers and editors — have set about testing a variety of period swimwear to find the very best. Because, let’s face it: ‘coming on’ is the quickest way to ruin any sun-drenched dip in the pool, with sanitary towels proving dissatisfactory underwater.
It can be all too easy to throw in the beach towel, but period-proof swim bottoms are here to help — without the risk of a leak or stray Tampax string. So, see below for our honest reviews, as well as answers to all your FAQs.
The best period swimwear for 2025, at a glance:
romina introini
romina introini
Meet the expert:
How we test the best period swimwear:
It’s our shopping editors’ primary concern: Supplying GLAMOUR readers with independent, honest and trustworthy reviews on the products they want and need most. So, for the last three years, we’ve personally trialled a selection of period swimwear while on our holidays — by that, we mean in the sea, in chlorine, on hot sunbeds, at the spa and in direct sunlight over several weeks and at various points in our cycles — to find the very best.
Each was judged on five things: comfort, absorbency, how they washed, freshness, and value for money.
Our testers:
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