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

Bear down relax and breathe, have a rummage to see if you find anything
Relaxing the muscles is vital to pull it out.
Have you any smell( sorry!)
You might have removed it on auto pilot
It goes without saying that you shouldn't insert a tampon " just in case"
Use a panty liner instead

I know! It didn't happen often, but it was challenging when it did.
However, we did spend time after caring for the affected woman because they were always extremely mortified.
Easily done 'tho

Get your fingers up there then smell them .... it will be ghastly if you have.

Do not be terrified, it’s not the most dignified thing but the nurse/doctor has seen all shapes, colours, sizes etc. lady time I went I had to Lie on my side and raise my leg as my body would not Co-operate with relaxing. After several tried the nurse suggested that and it went very swiftly.

As @Normallynumb has pointed out, you mustn't use tampons in expectation of your period arriving (it can cause Toxic Shock Syndrome). Once it has started, only use the lowest absorbency for the flow.

I once managed to put a new tampon in without taking the old one out. It was in there for about a week, no smell but in the later few days I was having some awful abdominal cramps. Then one morning on the toilet for a poo, and whilst pushing, it fell out into the toilet bowl.

Unless you have extremely heavy periods, your flow during your period wouldn’t have seemed normal if there was another tampon wedged up there. Hope you can relax.

Didn't read the 6 weeks bit! It can't have gone that far that you can't reach it, feel it or smell it after 6 weeks. It's a vagina, not the sodding Eurotunnel. Hospital must've taken it out.

There would be a smell but in the future having a rummage when you're actually in the bath is easier as everything is relaxed.

After 2 months, you would know as it would stink.

They also eventually fall out themselves after absorbing secretions and start to degrade.

I remember a post on here during Covid and a ITU nurse mentioned they do check for that with unconscious patients.