I found a forgotten tampon in my vagina...

[Biancadelrioisback]

So, this is incredibly embarrassing. Earlier this week I booked myself a drs appt for Monday morning (Monday coming that is) because I had, what I believed to be BV.
Over the last week or so, I'd noticed an increase in discharge, but it was pinkish, then brownish. It was thin and so much of it throughout the day. It's really weird to have a conversation with your boss while this discharge is gushing out your vag (my periods are usually light so never experienced this other than post birth).
The worst thing about it was the smell. Honestly it stunk! I was showering twice a day at this point and changing my knickers at least three times a day.
I bought BV gels which you use over 7 days but nothing was improving. I thought it might be thrush because it had been so very very hot recently.
After nothing was working and Google wasn't helping, I had convinced myself I had cervical cancer. I was preparing myself that on Monday my whole life might change. Until tonight. I decided to have a bit of a search around and I fucking found a tampon. My period was the week before but I remember taking the last one out so I'm presuming I had two up there for a while and I had no fucking clue.
I've been having my period for over 20 years and used tampons for at least 15. How the fuck did this happen?
So now I am well and truly freaked out. Part of me thinks that I should cancel my appointment on Monday as I've solved the mystery, but I'm also worried what the after effects might be...
Please tell me that this has happened to someone else before? Also, I think I'm ready to get a mooncup or period knickers...

Sorry you had such a cringeworthy experience, but console yourself with the fact that these people routinely see people that have intentionally inserted mysterious objects up their bottoms, so an accidental tampon is nothing in comparison. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Haha true! At least there wasn't a lightbulb up there or something...

I was worried that they would find something else up there and I'd have the Mary Poppins bag of vagina's...

I'm really surprised with pain and discharge they felt no need to give you antibiotics! I'd keep the gp appointment.

I did this years ago when I was much younger. Also once got a mooncup stuck up there. Never felt so panicked.

Now I only use period undies.

He said my discharge was "inoffensive" as it was no longer the horrid stuff I'd been having up until yesterday. Now that it's out my body just needed to heal and my vag needed to self clean. My sore cervix is just inflamed from having a rank tampon resting against it for a week and then it being suddenly removed.

I did this when I was 19. I got black out drunk one night during that period so I can only assume that this was the night where I shoved a new tampon in when the old one was still up there. It was nearly 3 weeks before I went to the GP. The smell was awful. I was given a few days of precautionary antibiotics but all was fine.

Am pleased all is well.
Do go back if things don't sort themselves out but I think they will.
It's good to know though that you're not the only one that's done it! I most definitely won't let it happen again 🤣.

It's not that unusual it happen. Don't cancel your appointment you may need antibiotics. They will want to take swabs and rest for infection.

OP I did this only last month.

I hardly have time to pee let alone deal
with a period and must have just forgotten.

Have had a good ole rummage about this month just to make doubly sure!

surprised at how many people who have been in this situation.

it can cause shock syndrome !

Get some ModiBodi period pants OP, they’re great.

*surprised at how many people who have been in this situation.

it can cause shock syndrome !*

Yes we know it can cause toxic shock syndrome. It's been mentioned throughout the thread. People don't do this on purpose and after 20 odd years i've forgotten once.

@catsforlife Ive just looked at them! They look fab but at £20+ each and £80+ for a multi pack, they're outside my budget :(

I'm tempted to try a mooncup type thing but I'm now worried I'm going to forget that up there too. Even though I know it's out, I've been checking every day just to make sure. My cervix is still sore and swollen and I'm feeling more and more upset by what's happened.

I don't forget my cup because it comes with a little drawstring bag to keep it in, and I leave the bag out in the bathroom when I'm wearing the cup, so it's a visual reminder to remove it!

Sorry you're still feeling sore. If you want to try washable pads, i recommend Honour Your Flow, they do a 10% discount with the code MUMSNET. (FWIW I don't really see the point of period pants when you could just use washable pads, but I know a lot of people like them!)

I know the ModiBodis are dear, I’ve been buying in stages and only when they have 20% off codes on. I can understand why you’re upset but try not to beat yourself up. Maybe at the start of your period set a reminder for the end time to double check there’s nothing still in place!

I've forgotten tampons for longer than I should but never a moon cup. You can leave the bag out as pp said to remind you. A cup can be left in for much longer,I usually wear it for 12 hours.

There wouldn't be the danger of using two by mistake either!