Will it eventually come out on its own? A tampon that has taken up residence in your vagina is unlikely to come out by itself, so it's important that you take steps to remove it. “Leaving it in or not knowing that you have a retained tampon can lead to serious health concerns,” Youngblood warns.
A tampon that's overstayed its welcome isn't a pleasant thing to encounter, but it won't necessarily cause any health issues. The biggest risk is vaginitis, explains Dr. Nathan. Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina, and it can stem from a variety of causes—including the bacteria that glom onto the tampon.
The symptoms are a lot like ones you might see from other kinds of infections: swelling, fever, redness, and a general feeling of being unwell. TSS symptoms usually come on quickly, about 2 days after the bacteria infects you. The way TSS affects your body depends on the type of bacteria causing your condition.
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.
Leaving a tampon in for days puts you at risk for getting toxic shock syndrome (TSS), an infection, similar to a staph infection, caused by the absorbent material found in sanitary products, says Laura Corio, MD, an OBGYN at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
Let's put this one to rest once and for all. You should only use a tampon for up to 8 hours. So, if you're asking can you sleep with a tampon in, the short answer is yes. Your tampon doesn't know if it's day or night and will work the same while you sleep, just be sure to only use a tampon for up to 8 hours.
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.
The condition can progress to kidney failure, shock, and death within 48 hours. Anyone who has been using tampons or who has a skin wound or infection and experiences the signs and symptoms described above, or if you have a skin or wound infection, should call a doctor immediately.
Symptoms of toxic shock include: Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Hypotension (low blood pressure) with a weak and rapid pulse. A red rash that covers the whole body, sometimes followed by peeling skin (the rash may be difficult to see in dark-skinned individuals)
Healthcare staff should be able to remove it for you. If you can't get to your GP or a sexual health clinic, call NHS 111 for advice. Tampon manufacturers advise that a tampon shouldn't be left in for more than 8 hours.
Don't freak out if you realize you've forgotten to change your tampon. If it's only been left in for 12 to 24 hours and you feel fine, just remove it and go on your way. If it's been longer than that or you can't remove it yourself, see a doctor for removal and a checkup.
In general, TSS symptoms can develop as soon as 12 hours after a surgical procedure. Symptoms usually develop in 3 to 5 days in individuals who are menstruating and using tampons or menstrual cups.
The first time you use a tampon may feel a little uncomfortable but the pain shouldn't be particularly bad. Once properly inserted you shouldn't feel the tampon at all. The key to an easy and pain free insertion is to relax.
A tampon may hurt the first time you try to insert it, but it shouldn't be bad. You shouldn't feel it once it's in, so if there still is pain or discomfort, you may not have inserted it correctly. That's okay, like any new skill it may take practice to get it right.
When a person uses tampons correctly, they should not cause any pain. If people are experiencing pain when using a tampon, it may be a sign of an underlying condition. Endometriosis may cause vaginal pain or discomfort, which can include pain when inserting or using a tampon.
When you wear a tampon, you shouldn't be able to feel anything coming out, regardless of how heavy the flow is. When you wear a pad or a liner, you may be able to feel the blood as it exits your body, but this typically only happens when your flow is fairly heavy. Either way, it should be painless!
If you try all of these things and still cannot find or "unstick" the tampon, see your gynecologist. The gynecologist can seat you on an examination chair and remove the tampon with a small clamp used for surgical sponges. The procedure may be uncomfortable but should not cause pain.
If you think about it, you'll notice that blood generally has a certain odour. An iron-like smell. The same goes for period blood. As you already know, period blood consists of the shedding of an unfertilized egg, blood, and uterine lining tissues.
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.
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.
Can I wear a tampon in the bath or shower during my period? Yes, it's fine to wear a tampon in the bath or shower. If your period is light at the time, you might find that you don't need one for the few minutes that you are in the bath or shower. Most of the time, blood won't leak out.
It's okay to pee with a tampon in, and it's also perfectly safe. “It is completely sanitary to pee with a tampon in,” Dr. Duke confirms. “Tampons don't block the flow of urine, and even though a little pee might get on the tampon string as you're peeing, there's no need to worry.”