During my college years, I had a night that made me question my health. I found myself so ill that I could barely crawl to the bathroom, overwhelmed by relentless vomiting. After several grueling hours, a visit to the emergency room was unavoidable. Upon arrival, the staff immediately took me in for treatment.
In my weakened state, when they mentioned a spinal tap to rule out meningitis, I didn’t hesitate. The discomfort from the needle in my back paled in comparison to the agony I felt throughout my body. While they worked on my treatment, I sheepishly confessed, “I had a tampon in for far too long. I removed it before coming here; could it be toxic shock syndrome?”
After receiving IV fluids and medication, I eventually recovered and left the hospital days later. Though I never received an official diagnosis, I walked away with a cautionary tale.
The Risks of Leaving a Tampon In
Leaving a tampon in for too long is serious business. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS), while rare, can lead to severe health issues. The Mayo Clinic explains that TSS is often caused by toxins from staph bacteria, but can also stem from strep bacteria. It is frequently associated with tampons left in for more than the recommended 4 to 8 hours. Everyone can manage to remember to change a tampon within that timeframe, no matter how busy life gets.
After manufacturers took certain high-absorbency tampons off the market, the occurrence of TSS in menstruating women significantly decreased, affecting about 1 in 100,000 annually. Symptoms of TSS include sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, a sunburn-like rash, confusion, and muscle aches.
Common Misconceptions
Although tampon packaging clearly states the need for regular changes, many people don’t take this warning seriously. I wish I could say I learned my lesson, but the truth is, I sometimes leave a tampon in longer than recommended. I know two women who completely forgot about a tampon, leaving it in for weeks—yes, weeks.
Zoe Martinez, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai, shares that leaving a tampon in too long can cause unpleasant consequences, such as foul-smelling discharge and irregular spotting. One friend, during a workout, became acutely aware of an odor that was hard to ignore. After a deep dive into “Dr. Google,” she found the advice to check for a forgotten tampon. Despite her lack of flexibility, she was determined to retrieve it herself. Upon discovery, she called her doctor, who reassured her that these situations aren’t as uncommon as one might think.
Another friend experienced “an odd smell” for several days without pinpointing the source. She attributed symptoms like spotting and lightheadedness to festive overindulgence or a potential yeast infection. However, her condition worsened until even her husband noticed the odor. After another search prompted by online research, she found her long-lost tampon, and the smell—and her discomfort—quickly dissipated.
Conclusion
While these extreme cases highlight the potential risks of leaving a tampon in for too long, the bottom line is clear: Change your tampons regularly. Toxic shock syndrome is real, and no one wants to deal with the lingering effects of a forgotten product.
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In summary, the importance of proper tampon care cannot be overstated. Regularly changing your tampon is crucial to avoid potential health issues, including toxic shock syndrome. Stay aware and prioritize your health.