Can’t remember if I used a tampon or not

[WhichSandwich]

Hi,

(just want to start by saying this isn’t a troll post- I’ve name changed for this as it’s embarrassing but I’m a long term poster)

this is really embarrassing but I honestly don’t know what to do. basically about 6 weeks ago I thought my period was going to start that day, so I think I used a tampon just in case. Unfortunately I ended up in hospital very unwell and had an emergency treatment that needed propofol and ketamine so I was out of it. I was woozy for the rest of the day and when I woke up the next day i was so preoccupied with everything that happened that I forgot about the tampon.

but I’m positive I took it out. I’m sure I remember going to the toilet in a&e and taking it out. But I’m not sure if this happened because my memories from that day are pretty shit. And now to top it off, the more I think about it the less certain I am that I even used a tampon in the first place. Basically I can’t remember and my brain is filling in the blanks

I’ve had no pain, no unwellness and no issues whatsoever since so surely it’s very unlikely that there would still be a tampon there? I’m assuming I’d be very unwell or at least in pain if it were there? Also, I’ve used tampons since then as I’ve had my period since then and there was no pain or issues whatsoever so I’m guessing if there was still a tampon there then I’d have had problems with this whereas I didn’t.

But I’ve just got this horrible niggling feeling that I might have used a tampon that day, and I might have forgot to remove it. And because my memories are pretty shit because I was unwell it’s like my brain is filling in the gaps and now I have no idea whatsoever what happened.

I’ve tried to get a GP appointment but wasn’t able to, and it’s not an emergency so I’m not going to a&e for it, there isn’t really much in the way of sexual health clinics where I live in the country. I was thinking of booking a private GP appointment but realistically I don’t know if they’d be able to tell, I don’t know if it would need an ultrasound to see if it’s still there? And it’s probably overkill because I’ve had my period since then and had no pain or issues using tampons so it’s vanishingly unlikely that there is anything still there

sorry bit of a long post I know, and not the most pleasant topic, but I’ve got myself worried about this and it’s niggling at the back of my mind and I just don’t know what to do or who would be the best person to go to, or if it’s probably fine because it’s unlikely it’s still there

I know I should have dealt with this a long while ago but I’ve been so preoccupied because I was unwell.

does anyone have any advice of who would be the best place to go to for this? Thanks x

What? Why haven't you just gone in there to check and fish it out?

You would know. There would be a foul smell. I doubt you would have got a second tampon up there either.

You just check yourself and if you have left a tampon, you remove it yourself.

You do not need a doctor's appointment for this.

Hospital would likely have checked and removed it if you were unconscious for any length of time.

Can you not just have a rummage?

I have, I can’t find anything at all, but I read online that apparently it can be pushed too far to even feel and now I’ve got myself completely worried this has happened especially as I’ve used a tampon since x

(and, as pp said, you'd know if you had a tampon up there for 6 weeks)

If you have used tampons since, I can't imagine there is anything wedged up there. I would suggest a warm relaxing bath and have a good root round!

Honestly that’s such a relief! I’ve had no issues whatsoever.

thank you.

i think deep down i knew it wasn’t there, but I actually think my brain was worrying about this as a distraction from being unwell x

Agree with PP - you can't lose stuff up there. Either you will be able to feel it or you can feel your cervix.

Ultrasound?!
no. Your vagina is not a never ending pit. If you can feel your cervix and feel around it it is very unlikely there’s one stuck there. Also like pp said it would smell.

Relax, on leg up on the side of the bath and have a good root around, if its in there, youll find it. Lock the door first too.

They can't dissappear up your cervix, if there's one in there it will be within reach even if it takes a little rummage

Ohh I hadn’t even thought about this! My memories from that day are all over the place, even from before I was out of it. I remember being asked about if I had my own teeth (or something like that, or maybe that’s a false memory as well🥴) and I don’t remember much else. That’s a huge relief, thanks. x

Oh god yeah now that I read it back I realise how stupid I sound. Haha. I think my brain had just completely catastrophised it! X

As PPs have said, you can't lose a tampon and it wouldn't need an ultrasound. There's some good info here, but after 6 weeks you really would know if you'd left one in there: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/girls-and-young-women-puberty-to-around-25/periods-and-menstrual-health/stuck-or-lost-tampon/#:~:text=A%20tampon%20cannot%20get%20lost,making%20it%20hard%20to%20reach.

Kindly OP your vagina is not some never ending tunnel. You can put your fingers in there and feel around. You will even be able to feel your cervix (the end of the vagina) and once your feel your cervix you’ll know your vagina is empty of the possibly tampon

Yes, it can be pushed further into the vagina.
But after 6 months, if you haven't had copious fouls discharge, and a raging infection, it is very unlikely.
Having worked in an sti clinic, where lost tampon removals have necessitated every window in the building to be opened and air-freshner to be sprayed everywhere, it sounds unlikely!

Honestly thanks so much for all the help, I feel so much better now!

it’s definitely not there, I tried checking a few times after a bath and there was nothing there. I think my brain had completely over-worried itself about it, probably as a distraction from being unwell. And this has definitely taught me that I need to learn more about my own anatomy since my brain seemed to think it was a never ending tunnel that a tampon could get lost in haha. I’ve never had a smear test or anything and my knowledge about this stuff is embarrassingly bad!

but thanks again everyone😊

😱😱😱

Ahh so glad you are reassured.

please have a smear test when you are due!!!

Yes, please don't skip smear tests - they are so important

Yeah I’m going to book it in the new year!👍🏼 i received the letter that I’m due my first one and I’ve put it off for a few months, absolutely terrified of it (don’t even know why!) but it’s such an important thing so I’m going to book it x

No, you aren't stupid at all. The vagina bifocates at the cervix and (unremoved) tampons often migrate into one of the sides, making them v difficult to retrieve.

If you squat you will be able to feel as far as your cervix with your middle finger. I lost a tampon that had turned horizontal and was lying across my cervix, I had to hook it out. But even a day late taking it out you will smell a nasty smell from your vagina if there's a tampon there. But if you're really concerned it's there or highly likely to be and you can't get it out it is urgent.

Oh goodness 😳