I tried a period blood-absorbing swimsuit while at the beach and lived to tell the story

Few things are as annoying as planning a highly anticipated beach vacation only to arrive and get your period. The wrath! Sure, if you use a menstrual cup or a tampon you may be able to prevent leaks (side note, I’m kind of creeped out about having cotton up my hoo-ha and have it be drenched and water and then just stay there for a few hours… *chills*), but it can still make you wary about potentially staining your favorite bikini. That’s why when I got a pitch for a period-absorbing swimsuit, my ears perked up.

By now we’ve all heard about period blood-absorbing underwear, like Thinx, but never had I ever considered a swimwear version until I read that email. It described Ruby Love as a company that offers leak-proof, odor-free period apparel for women that is rooted in the belief that periods should never stop women from doing, being, and going. The brand offered me a sample, and knowing that I would soon be taking a beach holiday, I accepted.

I have a pretty irregular period, so I never really know what to expect when I go to the beach. When it was time to pack for my trip I threw in my new one piece with hopes that I wouldn’t have to use it, but alas, I did. And do you want to know something else? I actually liked it.

The style I chose was a simple one-piece that I think was pretty flattering. I was nervous that the blood might seep through the sides or bring all the sharks to the yard, but it didn’t do either. I went through the whole day sans leaks, stains, or shark attacks, which is exactly how I like my beach days to go.

Each swimsuit has a built-in absorbent liner that can absorb up to three tampons’ worth of blood. If you want additional protection, Ruby Love sells a separate double-sided pad that you can insert into the swimsuit to get up to six tampons worth of blood-absorption, or you can use your own pads (there’s an insert where you can easily put them in). To wash, you can rinse it off in a sink or shower, or throw into your washer machine. Easy!

The only thing that made me slightly uncomfortable is that I could visually tell that the pad was there when I lay down, but honestly, it’s not so out-there that people will notice. It’s kind of like that pimple that you know is there but nobody else can see.

Ruby Love offers bikinis and one-pieces in a variety of styles, colors, and prints, sizes range from XS-3XL, and pieces are priced between $40-$100. If you’re looking for a fuss-free period-absorbing swimsuit or bikini that will protect you from potentially embarrassing moments, I’d suggest you give this brand a go. There’s only one other brand that sells these types of suits, but it only overs two styles—Ruby Love has nearly 70.

A period-absorbing swimsuit is a great backup option to have in your closet just in case Mother Nature calls and you don’t want to die of FOMO—because as the brand said in its initial pitch, periods should never stop women from doing things they love and going places they want to go.