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Original poster

So scared - left tampon in for too long

32 replies

Lolapurple · 03/11/2023 18:49

I went out last night and had a few drinks and accidentally left my tampon in overnight, over at least 16 hrs overall, much too long. Now I’m terrified of TSS. Please reassure me others have done this and been OK?

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 03/11/2023 18:50

It's no problem, if you get a temperature talk to pharmacist I flew to New Zealand and for got I was on, 40 hours in total.

Burnoutwhat · 03/11/2023 18:51

I clicked on this because I was ill with a chest infection anout if it and left a tampon in for a while I don't know how long!! I know it was a while iyswim. I was I did go to urgent care as directed by 111. So I think you will be fine. But if you are worried call out if hours.

TheDarkDarkNight · 03/11/2023 18:51

Yep. On more than on occasion. And I’ve been fine.
Try not to worry.

Jamandmarmaladeandjelly · 03/11/2023 18:52

Oh lord I've done this about three times! Once it was in there for 3 days (i thought i had removed last tampon of my period). No problem at all. However i now use towels, which is probably just as well!

StillWantingADog · 03/11/2023 18:52

It’s fine.
this is grim but i forgot I had one in for several days once.
was very smelly but otherwise ok
I’d not worry at all for a bit over 12hours

3luckystars · 03/11/2023 18:52

Once it’s out now you are ok? Have you symptoms of TSS?

Theunamedcat · 03/11/2023 18:53

Any symptoms? If not your fine

MmedeGouge · 03/11/2023 18:54

I did this, for longer than you did.
I was fine.
Just be aware if your temperature goes up and you start to feel “fluey”.

Cuthbertsrevenge · 03/11/2023 18:54

Please don’t ring out of hours as suggested by PP, unless you have actual symptoms. TSS is extremely rare and it’s extremely unlikely you will get it.

DoooooWhoop · 03/11/2023 18:56

I once left one in for three days... When I realised and got it out the smell was horrendous! I was perfectly fine though.

KingsleyBorder · 03/11/2023 18:57

Look, they have to put the warning in the packets but LOADS of women all over the world for decades have been leaving tampons in for longer than a day and have been absolutely fine. If one 16 hour session gave you more than a tiny increased risk they would not be allowed to sell tampons at all.

The main point of the warning is to make you alert to symptoms.

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 03/11/2023 18:58

You're not ill, so there's nothing to worry about.

stclair · 03/11/2023 19:01

I know someone who left theirs in for a month.

Bemyclementine · 03/11/2023 19:02

I've had TSS twice from tampons (not left in too long). Believe me, you'd know about it if you had it I'm sure now it's removed, you'll be fine.

Original poster
Lolapurple · 03/11/2023 19:21

Thanks all for the reassurance, I’m not feeling ill (though keep imagining symptoms). I just scared myself stupid googling TSS, never again!

OP posts:
Original poster
Lolapurple · 03/11/2023 19:22

The hangover is probably not helping tbh!

OP posts:
rockinginarockingchair · 03/11/2023 20:03

I only use pads.
Because I know I won't forget I'm wearing one.
Its a personal choice but hate tampons.

Sapphire387 · 03/11/2023 20:19

Yeah I once managed to leave one in and put another in, then pulled them both out together. Was grim. Not sure how long the first one had been there and whether I had replaced several of the 'lower' tampons.

I am sure you will be fine, but obviously you know to seek medical attention if you start to feel ill.

Rosecoffeecup · 03/11/2023 20:25

I left one in for 3 or 4 days once, you'll be absolutely fine

JessicaBrassica · 03/11/2023 20:40

I used to regularly leave them in for 24hrs at the end of a period. It was fine.

You'll be fine. So fine that you may wel leave one in for more than 16hrs again. Not recommended but most of the time, not problematic!

Appleofmyeye2023 · 03/11/2023 21:10

I’m 60 and done with tampons 🎉 (crap menopause through 🤣🤣)

in my menstruating years I’ve done this a number of times. once when I forgot I had one in already and put another in so it jammed up to top of vagina. Couldn’t understand why I was getting pain there 🤦‍♀️ and took around 48 hours to realise. Not great. But no issues.

I dare say most women using tampons have forgotten at some point. Certainly I’ve had many a long sleep with tampon in for way in excess of 8 hours - I liked my sleep 🤣

don’t fret, it’s easily done. If you get any of early symptoms of TSS Go to A&E , but really it’s hugely unlikely, full TSS is rare . Other conditions as a result of leaving it in too long may not be, like Vaginitis or a dose of thrush 😳. So, be a bit deligent, but not anxious, for a few days to assess any changes to how your vagina, vulva feel for those conditions.

SpringingJoy · 03/11/2023 21:13

I once had a tampon removed by my GP after I experienced heavy bleeding after sex. No idea it was there and my period had finished 3 weeks before.

It was probably the most mortifying experience of my life but other than that I was fine.

ManchesterLu · 03/11/2023 21:58

TSS is very very rare. I once left one in for 3 days because I completely forgot it was there. Also regularly sleep for 10+ hours if I'm on and don't have to get up for anything (I'm always shattered when I'm on) and again, no worries.

Obviously it's not ideal but even so, you almost certainly won't get it.

Namechangedforspooky · 03/11/2023 22:01

It’ll be fine. I used to remove them all the time in A&E. They can get very fishy if left in for a week or 2 but a couple of days will be fine. Just watch out for discharge / pain but it’s unlikely

LifeIsHardAlways · 03/11/2023 22:21

Friend forgot about hers for 2wks, was grim when she remembered and she did at that point start to feel unwell and just had a course of antibiotics. Sure you’ll be fine!