Tampon 2

[lb24]

Hypothetically, if you completely forgot about a tampon and left it in, for say at least a few days, would you know about it, e.g. get a stomach ache?

[KittyGlitter]

If you accidentally leave a tampon in, you may experience localized inflammation, discolored vaginal discharge and a not-so-nice odor.

[andyjevs]

People have died from this. It's called toxic shock syndrome....very serious indeed

[copippin]

andyjevs got there before me it would lead to a very serious situation which would require urgent medical attention. Hope this is only a hypothetical question,if it is not ,you have been warned.

[cat woman]

I used to use Tampons up until 15 years ago when I got cervical cancer, I blamed them for my condition, I think blood should flow freely without any barrier in the way. But thats just my view, I am not intending or trying to frighten anyone. :-)

[kaz20]

If you leave a tampon in for days doesn't mean you WILL get TSS - it just increases your risk of getting it. Men can get it too! I've never left a tampon in for days, but you wouldn't necessarily get a stomach ache or anything. One of my friends was convinced she had a tampon in (couldn't remember taking it out) but couldn't find one. Went to the hospital, they said she must have taken it out cos she didn't have one in. Then on her next period she took one out... to find there was another still in there... and had been there about 4 weeks!

[spacechimp]

Thank goodness I don't have to worry about this.

[tigilou]

Listen to this then my friends mum only got 2 stuck yeah 2 i mean how do you do that apparently she forgot about one then something happened with the other one she couldnt remember if she had put one in and had pain trying to fit a third and it was there a good week god how disgusting is that but how did she not know

[Drisgirl]

kaz20 - that is precisely the reason I dont use them.You do forget sometimes and even a good delve isnt always fruitful (specially if you have indulged in a bit of fun).I did forget once so I wont use them now.Thankfully I was alerted because of the aforementioned:)

[rachela500]

TSS is similar to a blood infection and is more likely to be caught from inserting a 'dirty' tampon (I mean if your hands are dirty when you touch it etc) as you are putting the germs inside you. I'm pretty sure you would notice a smell if you left one in for longer than a day.

[joko]

a tampon is not a 'barrier' - it absorbs the flow, same as a pad just a little nearer to the source...

i left one in for about 4 days and i vomitted a lot and had brown watery discharge. i had no idea thats what is was though.

eventually, i got it out myself and went to the docs. when i told him, he shot up out of his chair, then stopped and said ' is it out now?' when i said yes, he visibly relaxed.

he said, if you feel fine - no fever, shaking etc, you should be ok.

[lb24]

Yes, it was a hypothetical question but it seems to be quite a common thing!