Expert analysis says the more absorbent the tampon, the more bacteria it can hold onto. That, paired with a tiny tear from something like pulling out a dry tampon before it's saturated with blood, can introduce the bacteria into the body.
If there isn't enough moisture because your flow is too light, then inserting a dry tampon could also be the cause of your discomfort. A dry tampon, no matter how soft, will cause friction when it rubs against the dryness of your vagina. ¹ This will no doubt hurt.
"Sometimes patients experience stop-and-go periods, where they start bleeding, have a brief hiatus, and then continue bleeding," Dr. Arumala tells POPSUGAR. "During this time frame, there is no blood (or not enough) to lubricate the tampon." Whatever the cause, a dry tampon can feel nearly impossible to remove.
There isn't a set time for when symptoms of TSS start after using a tampon. However, tampons should be removed from your vagina after eight hours to lower your risk of TSS. This doesn't mean you will get TSS if a tampon is left in your vagina longer than eight hours.
vomiting and diarrhoea. severe pain in your arms or legs, or all over your body. a rash that feels rough like sandpaper – the rash may look red, which can be harder to see on brown or black skin. the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, tongue and the whites of your eyes turn bright red.
A rash resembling a sunburn, particularly on your palms and soles. Confusion. Muscle aches. Redness of your eyes, mouth and throat.
The lower part of your vagina closest to your opening is very sensitive to touch (whereas the upper part of your vagina closest to your cervix is sensitive to pressure). When you pull out a dry tampon, the absorbent fibres can feel very rough making it uncomfortable or sometimes even a little painful to remove.
The instructions on your tampon box are clear: You should never keep the same tampon in for longer than eight hours. If you leave it in longer than that, you risk toxic shock syndrome and other health concerns. If you really want to be on the safe side, though, you may want to change your tampon even more often.
If you notice your tampons get soaked through in a couple hours, or you see blood on the string when you change it after a short time, you might need a larger size. You may need to size down if the tampon is mostly dry after wearing it for a few hours.
You may feel a sharp pain as you wear tampons if you have an underlying medical problem, an infection (anything from a sexually transmitted disease to a urinary tract infection). Do not force the tampon in. Your body is trying to let you know it's having a problem.
The incidence of TSS is estimated to be around 0.8 to 3.4 per 100,000 in the United States. [1][2][3]. Early recognition and antibiotic administration are key to improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality.
Try to feel the area at the top of your vagina because this is where items like tampons often get stuck. If you feel the object, remove your finger then place 2 fingers into the same area, trapping the object between them, then try pulling it out gently.
So, no tampons don't cause yeast infections (and they're also safe to use when you have a yeast infection, but they may feel uncomfortable).
When removing a tampon, sit over the toilet and carefully grab the string between two fingers, gently pulling out at the same angle you used to insert it. You may not be able to remove it if you are tense, so relax and pull slowly and steadily. Flush the used tampon when finished.
It's always a better idea to take a tampon out sooner rather than later, but if you take a tampon out before it has a chance to absorb any of your flow, there's a chance it could leave dry fibers behind. Sometimes friction can occur when using tampons; it just depends on the person.
In most cases, the person can remove a retained tampon on their own, but when this is not possible, a doctor can help. Tampons that remain in the vagina for too long can raise the risk of infection and TSS, so prompt medical attention is key.
If you cannot get to your GP or a sexual health clinic, call 111 or get help from 111 online. Tampon manufacturers advise that a tampon should not be left in for more than 8 hours. Occasionally, a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection called toxic shock syndrome has been linked to women using tampons.
Depending on the bacteria causing illness, it can take from 1-10 days after being infected to start to show signs and symptoms. Symptoms usually start suddenly. One to two weeks later, the following more severe symptoms can happen: Skin peeling (on hands and feet)
There's no one test for toxic shock syndrome. You may need to provide blood and urine samples to test for the presence of a staph or strep infection. Your vagina, cervix and throat may be swabbed for samples to be analyzed in a lab.
The symptoms usually begin suddenly and are often nonspecific. Prostration and hypotensive shock can occur within 24 hours. Milder forms of the disease also may be seen.
"If you leave your tampon in past the eight-to-twelve-hour mark, it could increase your risk, but it is an extremely rare disease—women shouldn't be afraid," she says. And if you think you're doing your vagina any favors by changing your tampon every hour on the hour in order to decrease your risk of TSS, think again.
Multisystem involvement (3 or more of the following organ systems): Gastrointestinal – Vomiting or diarrhea at onset of illness. Muscular – Severe myalgia or creatine phosphokinase elevation >2 times the upper limit of normal. Mucous membranes – Vaginal, oropharyngeal, or conjunctival hyperemia.
Summary. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare and potentially life-threatening illness that is thought to be caused by infection with certain types of bacteria. Women who have their period (are menstruating) are most at risk of getting TSS, as it is thought to be associated with tampon use.