I’ve just birthed a fossilised tampon...what do I do?!

[MedicinalGin]

Hello.
I’m so embarrassed about this. Have had loads of weird discharge for the past few days and was getting really worried- suddenly this happened. I feel quite well and everything but could I now have an infection or something? It must have been in there for two weeks.

Do I just presume I will now be fine or should I seek official advice (seriously hoping I don’t have to).

Excuse me while I now go and 🤢

I feel you've got an infection you'll soon know about it. If the discharge continues, go to the GP for a check up.

I did this a few years ago - the smell is quite something isn’t it!

I didn’t go to the doctors as I was well in myself. I would have gone to the doctors if I felt unwell at all.

Just keep an eye on things. You'll know if you've got an infection.

Gosh. How long do you think it had been there? How long ago did you last use them?

A GP friend of mine once said that it’s surprisingly common. Apparently toxic shock syndrome is actually very rare, even if you leave a tampon in for far too long - so depending on how long it’s been there, if you have no symptoms, you’re probably fine.

Might be worth phoning NHS Direct if you’re worried?

The only thing I might suggest is finding out if you've got a local GUM clinic with some drop in appointments.
If not, just wait and see. If the discharge doesn't clear up and you start getting other infection symptoms like a fever then definitely see someone!

Thank you everyone! I feel a bit faint because it was just so gross and shocking, but apart from that I think I am ok.

Am so glad it’s not just me! I remember feeling terrified of this predicament while a teenager reading Just seventeen magazine and now it’s all come true😱

I’ve just birthed a fossilised tampon...what do I do?

Personally I'd definitely throw it away.

If it makes you feel better... you’re not the only one. The string came out of mine. I had to get a nurse help me get it out.

Happened to me once too. Gross! no infection though.

Personally I'd definitely throw it away

Oh I burned the house down.

Hope your okay OP, sounds like an awful and unfortunate experience

I honestly don't get how this happens to people - I was always taught to wash my bits in the shower (outside and inside)... I think you'll probably be fine infection-wise if it's lasted this long - but if you feel feverish or get a temperature then call the doctor straight away.

Spiders you really don't need to clean inside. It does it by itself.

You wash inside your vagina?

That's not a good idea. You shouldn't disturb the natural flora.

Do people wash inside am I doing it wrong?

Does help me catch stray tampons before they fester up their for a fortnight though!

How does this happen to people. Do they not have daily showers or go to the toilet daily. I don't see how it could happen and frankly it's disgusting imo.

@SpidersDarkedOnMyWashing why on earth would you wash the INSIDE?? And HOw??

@VladmirsPoutine it could get lost?

As in slip in too far to reach it

@VladmirsPoutine it wouldn't necessarily come out when you go to the toilet, and I don't wash inside when I shower. If it's wedged up near your cervix... you're not going to notice it!

Sometimes the string goes AWOL Vladimirs, easily done.

Having a shower won't make a hidden tampon show up , and yes, I presume the OP goes to the toilet several times daily

I’ve done this before. I was really drunk and didn’t realise I had already got a tampon in so put another in there, then just kept changing that one

After a few days I basically had to give birth to the tampon. It was both disgusting and thrilling at the same time.

Pls people never EVER wash the inside of yourself

I wish women would learn to understand that you do NOT need to wash the inside of your vagina. It is self cleaning. You do not need to shove soap/feminine wash or any of that shite up your fanny. Just leave it alone (you might stop getting thrush too....)

and frankly it's disgusting imo

How lovely. Thank you so very much.

NEVER wash inside, good grief
Sorry op, sounds grim but I bet it's more common than people realise