Please don't flush tampons down the toilet! Tampons don't break down in the toilet the same way toilet tissue does; tampons are designed to stay in your vagina for up to eight hours and come out whole. They wouldn't be an effective period-care product if they broke down so easily in the presence of liquid!
You can probably flush a tampon down the toilet once, twice or even ten times without noticing any problems. However, if this bad habit is continued long-term, eventually your drains will become blocked.
Many women dispose of their tampons by wrapping them in toilet paper and throwing them in the residual waste. Many public toilets have hygiene waste bins in which you should dispose of your hygiene products. You should not flush them down the toilet as this can cause clogging.
Tampon disposal and the environment
Around 20% of women routinely flush tampons down the toilet when away from home. Some women and menstruators might be thinking that it's the most hygienic solution to tampon disposal if they can't see a better menstrual waste disposal unit in immediate reach.
Products such as tampons, pads, or wipes that claim to be flush-friendly can cause clogs in your toilet and, in the worst cases, can cause your toilet to back up and overflow or will create issues with your septic tank.
People change their period products for different reasons, not just because they're always full, so there's not an exact answer here. However, 3-6 products per day (pads or tampons) is normal.
Sanitary products such pads and tampons go in rubbish bins only.
Tampons Disposal: How to Get Rid of a Tampon
So, now that you've decided to never flush a tampon again, how should you dispose of it? Tampon disposal is pretty straight-forward, you can simply wrap your used tampon up in toilet paper and throw away used tampons in the garbage bin or trash.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), tampons don't break down like toilet paper (they're highly absorbent and swell with wetness, after all), so they end up causing clogs, which can then damage the wastewater treatment infrastructure.
According to plumbers (aka the real experts), tampons don't break down, and even if they are biodegradable, they take a while. Because tampons expand when wet, they can often get stuck in pipes, building up debris over time and thus making blockages even worse.
While tampons will biodegrade given enough time, it can take up to 6 months, according to some sources. That's too long! A tampon caught in your sewer pipe for more than a few hours can cause a backup of household waste that could go right back into your house.
You may want to change your tampon after your shower, though, as it can absorb water and may not protect you as much. Whether or not to shower with a tampon in is up to you. Just make sure you're careful when you clean around your vaginal opening. If you're taking a bath on your period, you might want to use a tampon.
Tampax Flushable Super Tampons - 20 CT.
If you are at a friend's house for a sleepover or a hang out and have to dispose of your tampon, you should place it in their garbage. Never flush it down the toilet, as this can clog the toilet. You should avoid putting the tampon in your bag or in your pocket, even if it is wrapped in toilet paper.
Can anything bad happen if you put two tampons in? "It's not dangerous in and of itself," says Dr. Bhuyan. "It would just make it harder to take out that original tampon."
The tampon is probably stuck around the waste pipe opening near the section where the toilet drain connects to the main waste pipe. Try pulling it with your hand if possible or try using a drain snake to pull it out. You can as well try to remove it using a lengthy screwdriver or tongs.
Infections include the rare but serious Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). It is safe to sleep with a tampon in as long as it's not for more than eight hours. So, if you can keep your night-time snooze to 8 hours or under, then you can wear a tampon overnight.
Like all tampons in Australia, our U by Kotex® tampons can be used for up to 8 hours, but not any longer.
If you have bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days per period, or is so heavy that you have to change your pad or tampon nearly every hour, you need to talk with your doctor. To find out if you have menorrhagia, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and menstrual cycles.
Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or for any other reason. Change each tampon every 4 to 8 hours. Never wear a single tampon for more than 8 hours at a time.
Unlike toilet paper, they don't break down and disintegrate in water. When tampons are flushed, they can get snagged in the pipes or caught on other debris in the sewer line such as tree roots. They accumulate over time, resulting in drain blockages and blocked drain repairs.