Tampon left in for 40 hours

[spottedinthewilds]

FFS I'm 46 and this is the first this has ever happened! Just had a shower and realised I still had a tampon in. From Friday night. I was on the last of my heavier days and must have forgotten as the just went to a pad the following morning.

It was full (sorry for TMI). It wasn't stinky. I feel fine.

Anyone else done this and know what the 111 response will be? Do I just wait and keep and eye out?

No need, you’ll be fine. Only need help if you do feel ill, but it’s very unlikely.

I wouldn't do anything, just see how you feel.

I've done that... no problems... suggest just wash well inside with water (nothing else) in case there is anything left... warm bath best....

Thank you 🙏🏻

@spottedinthewilds

You need to go to A & E promto, cause of the real risk of infection which can be obviously be potentially life threatening dangerous.

You will be giving antibiotics medication to take

As far as I’m aware (from a similar incident myself) this is not the case. With no symptoms of infection, no action will be taken.

I once left one in for 6 days! To add yo the embarrassment in doing that was how it was found. Went for a smear, legs in stirrups...

"Oh, we can't do a smear if your on your period"
"My period finished last week, I'm not bleeding anymore"
"You have a tampon in..."
😳

It was all fine. Nurse just said take it out, if you get a temperature or feel ill, call back. I didn't, nothing happened. This was about 15y ago.

Are you a doctor or particularly experienced in this matter?

I understand the need to ensure I feel fine etc but I don't want to panic an waste resources unnecessarily.

Oh gosh! Yes, at least I noticed it myself.

You'll likely be fine - keep an eye out for temp, foul discharge and other signs of infection. You absolutely don't need antibiotics "just in case".

You also don't need to wash out your vagina - it's self-cleaning and will get rid of anything that needs rid of.

You don't need to douche, or visit A&E! You'll very likely be absolutely fine. If you develop a bad discharge or fever then seek appropriate medical advice. You would absolutely not be given prophylactic antibiotics for this.

I've done nearly two days. No issues. Keep an eye out for signs of infection- temp, fever, racing heart, sickness, lethargy plus any pain/discomfort. If you are still on your period I'd probably switch to pads for the end.

God I did this earlier this year, i am mid 30s never happened to me before. I had it in for about a day and a half i think, i was absolutely horrified!!! But i felt fine so hopefully you will be ok.

Look out for symptoms but you'll likely be fine

You’ll be fine, I accidentally left one in all weekend when I was ill. Checked with nhs direct and they said even when this happens the risk of toxic shock or any other kind of infection is incredibly rare but to look out for symptoms. Headache, temperature, feeling sick. They said they’d come on rapidly. I was fine.

@spottedinthewilds

Hi
i did the same thing as you did, with your tampon, many years ago,

you can either vist sexual health clinic or see a nurse or doctor at your doctors surgery or A& E,

they will give you necessarery medication of antibiotics

it's purely prevention in regards of potential toxic shock syndrome.

no i am not a doctor...

toxic shock syndrome infor with ref to the leaflet included with tampon...

I did this a few years ago. Think I left it in for about a week. Knew something wasn't right and so went to A&E and they removed it - it was.too.far.up to be removed myself . Nothing else was said, I wasn't given antibiotics or anything. Just monitor yourself but otherwise you'll be fine.

My friend left one in for three weeks last year! Only went to GP due to smell 🙄. She had no idea. No ill effects, a high degree of embarrassment and no mention of antibiotics or A&E.

You don’t put your legs in stirrups for a smear.

And after 6 days the whole room would smell that, let alone you. 🤔

Not if they give a shit about antimicrobial stewardship they won't.