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Original poster

To leave a tampon in for 3 days?

116 replies

Tiddlywinkly · 27/12/2021 20:08

Sorry, posting for traffic. I'm freaking out. Any medics around please? TMI warning.

I went for a run xmas afternoon and I forgot to take out my tampon. There was no string that I could see to prompt me and it was towards the end of my flow.

I developed a cold on xmas day and I've had one since. I can't smell a lot, but I kept smelling something 'off' and asked dh multiple times, but he said there wasn't. There's been browny/black blood droplets which I thought was odd.

Anyway, cut to tonight and I thought I would check and there was a tampon in me which had lost its string. I've managed to get it out and I'm sat in the bath.

Other than a cold, I've had no temperature or anything. I'm so shocked. First time in 30 years this has occurred. Has this happened to anyone else? Am I out of the woods for TSS? Any advice welcomed thank you.

OP posts:
Lex345 · 27/12/2021 21:49

I just want to reiterate I really think you should speak to 111 for advice. Temperature is not the only indicator of infection, and cold sepsis is also a "thing". It is exactly what 111 is there for and if nothing else will put your mind at rest.

waterlego · 27/12/2021 21:50

@JulesRimetStillGleaming

I left a menstrual cup in far longer than that. Grim. I told my GP and he couldn't have been less plussed. He is pretty much always non plussed about everything I tell him. I survived though. It was a few years ago.
I like the way you’ve written this, but feel duty bound to point out that ‘nonplussed’ actually means the opposite of what it sounds like it means.

Nonplussed: so surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react. (from Google Dictionary)

Scbchl · 27/12/2021 21:55

I done it two months ago for a day or two. I was the same as you. Nothing came of it once I'd removed it.

CherryHug · 27/12/2021 21:58

This happened to me, went to doctors as was in pain and thought I had an infection, as there was a smell too. Nurse examined me and I was mortified when she removed a tampon from my vagina, I had finished at least a week previous, I was given a precautionary course of antibiotics and had no further issues.

I would err on side of caution and get checked over to be safe. Good luck!

USaYwHatNow · 27/12/2021 22:02

Hey, midwife here! I'd suggest getting checked out for your peace of mind,especially as symptoms of TSS can be similar to the flu or a cold. Having said that, I would hazard a guess that a tampon would need to be left in for a bit longer than 3 days to cause TSS, however we're all built differently with different immune systems so best to err on the side of caution. TSS is normally linked to a high temp, but it is also worth remembering that sepsis can manifest with a low temperature also.

It is very likely that you're going to be absolutely fine, but without physically seeing you, no one can make that judgement via an Internet post, and I would always suggest a patient get checked out as it's better to be safe than sorry.

StarryNightSky26 · 27/12/2021 22:06

This happened to me but worse.

I went to the GP because I'd had sudden, heavy bleeding after sex 🙈

She did an internal and there it was, a very distorted and squashed tampon.

I'll never forget what she said when she first looked with the speculum - 'mmm, yes I can see there's been some bleeding, that may...hang on...there's something in here!' Blush

heelforheelandtoefortoe · 27/12/2021 22:06

I can't imagine ever forgetting I had a tampon inside me Confused

Aside from being dangerous, its also very manky

Surely you would only forget if you weren't someone who changed regularly anyway, or had a disability that affects your memory or understanding?

SmellyOldPartridgeinaPearTree · 27/12/2021 22:10

@heelforheelandtoefortoe

I can't imagine ever forgetting I had a tampon inside me Confused

Aside from being dangerous, its also very manky

Surely you would only forget if you weren't someone who changed regularly anyway, or had a disability that affects your memory or understanding?

Blimey.
StarryNightSky26 · 27/12/2021 22:11

Surely you would only forget if you weren't someone who changed regularly anyway, or had a disability that affects your memory or understanding?

Or because you're human and humans forget things? Hmm

Storminamu · 27/12/2021 22:14

Bloody hell, just looked it up on the NHS site! I'm sure I had TSS when I was in my 20s. At the time I didn't realise what it was though. But I was suddenly, and on my way to somewhere on the tube, very very ill. With great difficulty and after several horrendous public toilet visits I managed to get back to where I was staying, where I collapsed, but having had a strong compulsion to remove the tampon. I was away on holiday at the time, and it didn't even occur to me to get medical advice. It looks as though I was lucky.

CoastalWave · 27/12/2021 22:14

I would be aware you've done this - but if you're well enough to be typing asking for help, I would say you're fine!

just mention it to your mum or partner or someone - JUST in case!

Hairyfriend · 27/12/2021 22:16

@heelforheelandtoefortoe

I can't imagine ever forgetting I had a tampon inside me Confused

Aside from being dangerous, its also very manky

Surely you would only forget if you weren't someone who changed regularly anyway, or had a disability that affects your memory or understanding?

Because all of those that have accidentally left one in are manky, clearly doing it on purpose and disabled!!! Shock

I've worked out I've had over 350 menstrual cycles, so approx 7000 tampons I've used. I'm early 40's, no disabilities and yes, I left one in by accident this year for the 1st time. I work in a medical field and you'd be astounded how common this is- in non-disabled people!!!

waterlego · 27/12/2021 22:17

@heelforheelandtoefortoe

I can't imagine ever forgetting I had a tampon inside me Confused

Aside from being dangerous, its also very manky

Surely you would only forget if you weren't someone who changed regularly anyway, or had a disability that affects your memory or understanding?

Have you read the whole thread? If so, you will see that plenty of women have forgotten/lost a tampon. Maybe disability or memory problems are responsible for some of these. But in most cases, it’s because the tampon has got wedged sideways or the string had fallen off or someone has had a very busy day and can’t necessarily remember exactly when they last changed a tampon, or they’ve got drunk and forgotten that there was one in there before putting another one in or…. Just being human and fallible 🤷🏼‍♀️
givemepiece · 27/12/2021 22:17

Get a moon cup (or equivalent)
Much more difficult to forget about Grin

Starcup · 27/12/2021 22:18

@heelforheelandtoefortoe

I can't imagine ever forgetting I had a tampon inside me Confused

Aside from being dangerous, its also very manky

Surely you would only forget if you weren't someone who changed regularly anyway, or had a disability that affects your memory or understanding?

What a prick of a response.

Have you never forgotten anything? Surely not after that response!

There’s a plethora of reasons a woman might forget, if you’re extra busy, really tired, stressed, got young children and your brain is frazzled. It’s also Christmas so more pressure than any other time of year for most people and you might just simply forget. I’m sure most women have at some point. I certainly have!

Don’t be that person….

britneyisfree · 27/12/2021 22:19

@BobbieT1999

I think most people have done this before. Keep an eye out for symptoms and if any occur seek medical advice but don't let yourself worry in the meantime.
No they haven't Hmm
girlmom21 · 27/12/2021 22:20

I think most medically qualified people are tough as nails and don't seek help when most other people would, because they know they're probably fine.

I can confirm, as someone with doctor/paramedic/nurse siblings, that this is bollocks.

Many medically trained people are the opposite and automatically assume the worst.

In fact, when I was getting DD's 12 week vaccinations the other week the nurse was telling me that she use to be a paediatric A&E nurse and that it's scary having your own children because although realistically you know they're generally ok when they're poorly, you're also very conscious of the worst case scenario

Starcup · 27/12/2021 22:20

Too add, extreme tiredness is what caused me to forget as I changed it in the night as I have very heavy flows. I was half asleep.

Nothing to do with being stupid ffs

Starcup · 27/12/2021 22:21

No they haven't

She said MOST!!!!!!

Starcup · 27/12/2021 22:22

@britneyisfree

CrumpledCrumpet · 27/12/2021 22:24

I can't imagine ever forgetting I had a tampon inside me

Can you imagine forgetting to pick up your house keys? Walking into a room and forgetting the reason you went in there? Going to the shops and forgetting to pick up one of the things you went for?

People forget things.

I’m normally aware I’ve got a tampon in, but sometimes it can be in a position I can’t feel at all. I have definitely left a tampon in overnight by accident, it’s quite easily done.

oohmamama · 27/12/2021 22:26

Haha I did 3 weeks once. Not sure how I’m still alive. The poor docs face when it came out 😳

Mummadeze · 27/12/2021 22:28

One came out in the loo once that had been in me for two weeks! It was a shock but nothing bad happened.

Slumcat · 27/12/2021 22:29

I work in sexual health I’ve removed many a retained tampon, the longest was a three month one, three days should be fine especially as it’s out now, follow sepsis signs on NHS website but I suspect you’ll be grand ( also it’s super common most women attend with a discharge/ odour with no clue they’ve left one in)

Original poster
Tiddlywinkly · 27/12/2021 22:30

Hi all. Thank you for your replies. I rang 111 who told me to go to A&E to be on the safe side as on top of a headache/cough etc I had a night sweat last night and I've been very tired.

I'm sat waiting to be seen. Better to be safe than sorry!

OP posts: