Forgetting to change your tampon can have serious consequences, including unpleasant odors, infections, and even toxic shock syndrome. In this informative piece, we reveal five disgusting things that can happen if you forget to change your tampon, emphasizing the importance of proper menstrual hygiene.
- Bad smell coming out of your vagina
Tampons are one of the most popular menstruation tools. It is lightweight, small, and easy to carry, but unfortunately, can also be easy to forget. You may be surprised by the fact that some people really do forget to take out their tampons.
This is more likely to happen by the end of a girl’s menstruation. Because she already feels like she is done with her period and because the tampon is so small and comfortable, sometimes a girl may forget that she has not taken out her tampon.
As indicated in the study documented by the National Health Service, due to its small size, some girls occasionally overlook removing their tampons after their menstruation cycle ends. Often, they recall only when an unpleasant odor arises from their vagina. This odor results from the accumulation of bacteria on the retained tampon, highlighting the importance of proper removal and hygiene.
Usually though, she may finally remember when her vagina starts to ooze a very unpleasant smell. The smell is obviously from the old tampon that has caught up with bacteria being accumulated on one tiny absorbent material.
Old blood from her menstruation also has no other place to go so it continues to oxidise and causes a bad smell.
- You might need surgery to get it out
Sometimes people wonder if a tampon could actually get lost in the vagina. The truth of the matter is straightforward: it is impossible to lose a tampon in the vagina.
Your vagina can be quite big when you are sexually aroused, but still, the opening of the cervix will be too small to allow a tampon to pass through. Tampons are small but not small enough to get lost in your vagina.
What does happen though, it could get pushed up the cervix quite far that you can’t get it out yourself. This may happen if you have had sex while wearing a tampon and you totally forget about it.
The tampon could get pushed up so high that you lose the tiny string that is used to pull the tampon out of your vagina. In that case, you might need a doctor to surgically pull it out for you.
- You could develop vaginitis
Losing a tampon in your vagina could pose a lot of health issues. When anything bad causes an imbalance in your vagina, the most common problem you could face is a yeast infection.
A yeast infection can easily be treated with oral medication which is easy to find at health stores.
However, if storing a tampon in your vagina for too long becomes a habit and you also struggle with yeast infections often, this could eventually develop into vaginitis. Vaginitis can happen when your vaginal tissues are often irritated.
As outlined in the Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials study, misplacing a tampon within your vagina can have detrimental effects on your vaginal health. It can potentially lead to recurring issues like yeast infections, which may progress into vaginitis. Vaginitis arises when the delicate tissues of the vagina experience frequent irritation.
When your tissues are irritated and inflamed, bacteria could easily attack your system and cause all kinds of imbalances in your vagina.
Bacterial vaginitis could further cause a bad smell to come out of your vagina, accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating. This whole thing could be painful when the condition has progressed far enough.
- Your vagina gradually becomes drier
If you have noticed that your vagina is becoming drier and drier, it could be your tampon. When you don’t take out your tampon, the absorbent quality of the tampon could continue to absorb your vagina’s natural lubrication.
According to the research documented by the National Institutes of Health, if you notice your vagina becoming dry, it might be due to a tampon that has been left in place for an extended period. Prolonged tampon use can lead to the absorption of your natural lubrication, resulting in dryness.
The tampon is designed the way that it is, and works to absorb liquid and other bodily fluids.
Tampons work to absorb your blood when you are menstruating, but at the same time, they cannot distinguish what is just blood fluid and your vagina’s natural lubrication.
Nearing the end of your menstruation, you will bleed a lot less than at the beginning of your menstruation. When you don’t take out your tampon for very many hours, the thing could continue to absorb fluid and dry out your vagina.
You could experience itching and if you forget the tampon and you have sex, penetration could simply be painful due to dryness.
- You could get toxic shock syndrome or TSS
When you don’t remove your tampon from your vagina, you could eventually develop toxic shock syndrome or TSS. Toxic shock syndrome is a very dangerous condition and may even lead to death.
Toxic shock syndrome itself is actually incredibly rare. It happens as a complication after certain types of surgery, having an open wound, or using a tampon that has a very high level of absorption.
Of course, the tampon being superabsorbent in itself could easily alter the balance of your vaginal environment, thus causing bacteria growth to become uncontrollable.
But if you don’t remove your tampon, the bacteria from the accumulated blood and other bodily fluids could accelerate infections which may lead to toxic shock syndrome.
This condition may be life-threatening, so, a doctor’s treatment is highly necessary. Patients who suffer from toxic shock syndrome may be given antibiotics or may need surgery.
In summary, it can be said that menstrual hygiene is important if you want to avoid vaginal infections and issues. Learning about the mentioned five disgusting things that can happen if you do not change your tampon can knock some sense in you.
What Should I Do If I Left A Tampon In For 3 Days?
Leaving a tampon in for an extended period of time, especially for three days, can be a scary and uncomfortable experience. Many women may feel embarrassed or unsure of what to do in this situation, but it is important to take action immediately to avoid any potential health risks. In this paper, we will discuss the potential consequences of leaving a tampon in for three days, the steps to take if this happens, and how to prevent it from happening in the future.
The potential consequences of leaving a tampon in for three days can range from mild discomfort to serious health risks. When a tampon is left in for an extended period of time, it creates a warm, moist environment that is ideal for bacteria to grow. This can lead to bacterial vaginosis, a condition characterized by a foul-smelling discharge, itching, and irritation. In severe cases, it can lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins released by certain strains of bacteria. Symptoms of TSS include sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and a rash resembling a sunburn.
If you realize that you have accidentally left a tampon in for three days, the first step is to remain calm. While it may be tempting to panic, it is important to remember that this is a common mistake and can be resolved with proper care. The next step is to remove the tampon as soon as possible. In some cases, the tampon may be difficult to remove due to dryness or swelling. In such cases, it is important to seek medical help. Do not try to remove the tampon forcefully, as it can cause further irritation or even lead to tearing of the vaginal walls.
Once the tampon is removed, it is important to clean the vagina thoroughly. This can be done by taking a warm bath or using a mild, unscented soap to gently wash the area. Avoid using any harsh chemicals or perfumed products, as they can cause further irritation. It is also recommended to avoid sexual intercourse or using any other vaginal products until the irritation has resolved.
After taking these immediate steps, it is important to monitor your symptoms for the next few days. If you experience any signs of infection such as foul-smelling discharge, itching, or pain, it is important to seek medical help. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat any infection or recommend further testing to rule out any potential complications.
To prevent this situation from happening in the future, it is important to follow some basic guidelines for tampon use. Firstly, it is important to change your tampon every 4-8 hours, even if your flow is light. This will prevent the tampon from becoming saturated and creating a breeding ground for bacteria. It is also recommended to use the lowest absorbency tampon that is appropriate for your flow. Using a higher absorbency tampon than necessary can increase the risk of TSS. Finally, it is important to read the instructions on the tampon package carefully and follow them correctly.
In conclusion, leaving a tampon in for three days can have potential consequences for your health. If this happens, it is important to remain calm, remove the tampon, and clean the area thoroughly. Seek medical help if necessary and monitor your symptoms closely. To prevent this situation from happening in the future, it is important to follow proper tampon use guidelines. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health.
