If you are a woman and have had a period, then you probably have experienced the horror of forgetting that you were wearing a tampon.
Or, maybe your nightmare when one step further and you realized that your tampon is actually stuck. This feeling isn’t a great one and can make you feel anxious and a little unnerved.
How Can A Tampon Get Stuck
The short answer is that it is impossible to lose a tampon inside of your vagina. Fortunately, your vagina is only 3 to 4 inches deep, and it is a closed space that doesn’t allow anything to “get lost.”
But, you can actually get something stuck in your vagina if you aren’t careful. The most common way that a tampon becomes stuck is by losing its string.
Tampons are designed with strings attached to them so that they are easily removed.
However, sometimes these strings are fragile and break off. If this happens, then some women may get anxious and feel like they cannot remove the tampon.
Another way that a tampon may feel stuck, is if you are using too large of a tampon for your menstrual cycle. If you are having a light day with your period, then you don’t want to use a larger tampon size.
This will just make for a difficult removal and could cause the tampon to feel stuck.
Is a Stuck Tampon Dangerous?
If you feel like you have lost your tampon, then it is absolutely vital that you figure out how to remove it. Tampons are only supposed to be used for 8 hours at a time.
If you have a tampon in for longer, then you are placing your self at risk for serious infections such as toxic shock syndrome.
Tampons are usually made of cotton and can become a nidus for infections. The longer that a tampon is in, the more of a risk you are putting yourself at for developing an infection.
For this reason, it is essential that you use tampons appropriately and don’t keep them in for more than 8 hours.
Plus, if you believe that you have a tampon stuck inside of you, then it is essential you try to remove it or go to a doctor’s office to have it removed.
Signs and Symptoms of a Stuck Tampon
If you can’t remember if you removed a tampon or not, and you accidentally leave one in for too long then your body will start showing you some signs. Signs or symptoms of leaving a tampon in for too long include:
- Unusual discharge that is brown, green, or yellow in color
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Vaginal itching
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
These symptoms typically are a sign of infection and need to be addressed before the infection because widespread.
Health Implications of a Stuck Tampon
Toxic shock syndrome is the riskiest issue that may arise from a stuck tampon. This bacterial infection can quickly spread to your bloodstream and cause severe bacteremia and even sepsis.
It is difficult to control and treat and can be fatal if not caught early.
How to Remove a Stuck Tampon
If you do have a tampon stuck inside of you, then you can try to remove it at home. First, either sit down on a toilet or lay down if that is more comfortable for you.
Then, bear down and try to push. Often, this will allow the tampon to come out on its own, or move down the vaginal canal so that you can grab it and remove it.
If bearing down doesn’t work, then insert one finger and sweep it in a circular motion in order to find the tampon and remove it. If this doesn’t work, then you may need to go to the doctor and have them remove it.
Having a tampon stuck inside of you can be frightening, especially if you know the health implications of this issue.
But, don’t be afraid, typically you can remove the tampon yourself if you can relax enough and find it. If not, then a doctor is always a call away and can help you remove the tampon.
Photo: Pixabay
