How To Get A Stuck Tampon Out Insert your index finger into the vagina and feel for a tampon (use lube if needed), then grab onto it with both hands. Gently try pushing up on top of its head while pulling out from underneath, so that you can remove them this way instead!
What to do if your tampon is stuck inside you?
Use the following steps:
- Thoroughly wash and dry the hands.
- Cover any cuts or scratches on the hands and fingers with bandages.
- Relax and sit on a toilet with the feet slightly elevated.
- Push as though having a bowel movement.
- Place one finger into the vagina and move it around the sides, feeling for the tampon or string and making sure to reach toward the top of the vagina.
How to tell if a tampon is stuck inside you?
recommend changing tampons every 4–8 hours and never wearing one tampon for more than 8 hours. How can you tell if a tampon is stuck? A person who has a tampon wedged inside their vaginal canal may notice the following symptoms: A person with TSS may experience a fever, nausea, and a sore throat.
How do you know if tampon is stuck inside you?
You can take these steps to find it:
- Wash your hands well with soap and water.
- Sit on the toilet with your legs open a bit more than hip-width apart.
- Squeeze or press with the muscles in your vagina to try and push the tampon.
- If you are having a hard time squeezing the muscles of your pelvic floor, gently bear down as if you are starting to urinate.
Can a tampon get lost or stuck inside your vagina?
Your tampon is not lost. It may have moved farther up in your vagina, but it cannot go beyond the cervix, the tiny opening of your uterus. If a tampon is stuck in your vagina, it's important to remove it as soon as possible so you don't develop an infection.
Will a stuck tampon eventually come out?
WHAT TO DO IF A TAMPON IS STUCK INSIDE YOU? It can happen if you're not careful, it's a little scary, but it will come out. Allowing a tampon to stay inside you for more than 8 hours is not advisable, as this can lead to infection or Toxic Shock Syndrome.
How do you get a tampon out without a string?
Insert the index finger into the vagina to feel for the tampon (use a vaginal lubricant on your finger if you need to). Once you feel the tampon, see if you can move it to the vaginal wall with your finger still on the other side and pull it out that way.
How do you get a tampon out that is way up there?
Lie down, take a few deep breaths to relax, and reach inside your vagina with a clean finger. Feel around for the tampon string. If you feel it, gently tug or pull the string with two fingers.
How do I know if a tampon is stuck inside me?
Signs that you might have a stuck tampon include:brown, green, yellow, pink, or gray vaginal discharge.foul-smelling vaginal discharge.foul odor from your vagina with no discharge.itching inside your vagina or on your vulva.rash or redness around your genitals.uncomfortable or painful urination.abdominal or pelvic pain.More items...•
What happens if a tampon gets stuck inside you for a week?
Signs a Tampon Has Been Left in Too Long The biggest risk is vaginitis, explains Dr. Nathan. Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina, and it can stem from a variety of causes—including the bacteria that glom onto the tampon. A more serious issue is toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
How to find a tampon?
How to Find the Tampon. First, take a deep breath and relax. Remember, the tampon is exactly where you put it—still in your vagina. Next, you can try and locate the tampon yourself: Wash your hands well with soap and water. Sit on the toilet with your legs open a bit more than hip-width apart. If you are having a hard time squeezing the muscles ...
What happens if you lose a tampon?
If you are upset about the “lost” tampon, you are going to contract the muscles surrounding the vagina. By squeezing the muscle of your vagina, you are going to have a hard time locating and removing the retained tampon.
How long can a tampon stay in your hand?
It's not healthy for a tampon to stay in longer than eight hours. This increases the risk of infection, especially toxic shock syndrome (TSS). You should call your healthcare provider as soon as you determine you can’t remove a tampon yourself.
How to squeeze pelvic floor?
If you are having a hard time squeezing the muscles of your pelvic floor, gently bear down as if you are starting to urinate. Gently insert two fingers into your vagina. Sweep your fingers around the inside of your vagina trying to feel towards the top and back of your vagina . If you can feel the tampon, grab it between your fingers and pull it out.
Can you remove a tampon yourself?
However, if you aren’t able to remove it yourself , call your gynecologist or general practitioner for an appointment to have it removed.
How to remove a tampon that is stuck?
If you are too tense, you will clench the muscles, making the tampon harder to remove. Clean your hands. You’re going to want clean hands to remove a stuck tampon because you don’t want to introduce germs into the vaginal cavity. Proper hygiene will prevent infection, further complications, and problems.
How to pull a tampon out of a tampon?
Find the tampon, and insert another finger if you'd only used one at first. Catch the tampon's cotton cylinder between your fingers, and try to pull it out . You will need to pull out the actual tampon probably, not just the string. Don’t panic. If you do this too quickly, you could end up pushing it farther in. Once you feel it, just pull it out.
Why do tampons get stuck?
Sometimes tampons get stuck because of exercise or other reasons. You should be able to dislodge the tampon pretty easily. However, if you can't, see a doctor immediately. Leaving a tampon inside for too long can create a risk for infection. Steps.
How to get a tampon to stop hurting?
Try lubricant. You could also try using a lot of lubricant before reaching for the tampon with your finger. This might make it less painful and easier to do.
How to make removing a tampon less painful?
Try moving slowly and gently to make removing the tampon less painful.
How to get a tampon out of a toilet?
Prop your feet on a trashcan or bathtub, or squat over the toilet bowl for sanitary reasons. Bear down as if you’re straining to have a bowel movement or are giving birth or are doing reverse kegels. Sometimes, this can force the tampon out. Bearing down will help ease it into a more easy-to-reach position.
How to know if a tampon is coming out?
You want to lightly tug at the string to see if the tampon comes out on its own because this would be easiest. There should generally be at least an inch of string coming out of you if the tampon is properly positioned. Try different positions if it doesn’t come out right away. Prop your feet with something and sit on the toilet. Or put one foot on the bathtub.
How to get rid of a tampon stuck in a tampon?
Head to an urgent care clinic or emergency room right away to avoid TSS. If you’re already experiencing the symptoms of an infection or of TSS, go to your nearest emergency room. TSS is a medical emergency and can become critical very quickly. It’s important to get prompt treatment, including the removal of the stuck tampon ...
How to get a tampon out of a toilet?
Follow these steps to find the tampon: Lie down or sit on a toilet with your feet resting on a tool. You can also try standing with one leg on the seat of the toilet. Bear down or push as if you’re having a bowel movement. In some cases, this might be enough to push the tampon out.
How do you know if you have a tampon in your vagina?
If you’re not sure whether you have a tampon stuck in your vagina, your body will usually give you a few signals that something’s not right. Signs that you might have a stuck tampon include: brown, green, yellow, pink, or gray vaginal discharge. foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
How to know if you have a tampon?
TSS can quickly lead to kidney failure, shock, or even death, so seek emergency treatment if you have a stuck tampon with any of the following symptoms: 1 headache 2 achy muscles 3 disorientation 4 sudden high fever 5 vomiting 6 diarrhea 7 drop in blood pressure 8 red, sunburn-like rash on the palms and bottoms of your feet 9 a red discoloration of your throat, mouth, and eyes 10 convulsions
What happens if you get a tampon stuck in your vagina?
Having a tampon stuck in your vagina increases your risk of developing toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a serious infection. Not everyone in this situation will develop TSS, but the longer the tampon’s stuck, the greater the risk. TSS can quickly lead to kidney failure, shock, or even death, so seek emergency treatment if you have a stuck tampon ...
What happens if you don't remove a tampon?
Without quick treatment, a stuck tampon can turn into a potentially life-threatening infection.
What to do if you can't find a tampon?
If you notice any signs of an infection or can’t find the tampon, seek immediately medical care. It’s important to act fast in this situation, as an infection caused by a stuck tampon can quickly become life-threatening. Last medically reviewed on July 31, 2018.
How to get a stuck tampon out?
How to Remove a Stuck Tampon. First, wash your hands, then squat down, put your finger in your vagina and sweep it around in a circle. You’ll probably be able to feel the tampon, but getting it out can still be difficult. If you can’t sweep it out, insert two fingers and try to grasp it.
What if I can’t find my tampon?
That’s a more common scenario than a broken string. Sometimes, a tampon may seem “lost” because the string and the tampon get pushed higher into the vagina. When that happens, it’s simple to remove it, and you can probably do it yourself. To get it out, just wash your hands, squat down, put your finger in your vagina, and you’ll probably be able to feel it and pull it out. If you can’t feel it, can’t reach it, or just don’t feel comfortable with that, see your doctor as soon as you can. And don’t be embarrassed, we do things like that more than you’d imagine!
What if the tampon string breaks?
It’s not just attached at the end. That makes it super hard for it to pull off or break. You can feel confident that the string will not break if you’re using a tampon normally.
How to Know If There’s a Tampon In Your Vagina?
If your string is hidden, it’s also possible that you totally forget that there’s still a tampon somewhere up in there. Don’t let the thought of that make you panic. Mother Nature has her way of providing other reminders - like odors. A long lost tampon will begin to make itself known through a strong (horrible) odor that is clearly not normal. If that starts to happen, it’s time to dig around, find it and pull it out or get to your doctor for some help right away. Don’t be embarrassed. In the medical profession, we call it a retained tampon, and we all have been there and removed that - more than you would imagine!
When to seek medical attention for a “lost” or stuck tampon?
A lost tampon is not usually an emergency, but it should be taken care of as quickly as possible. If you feel fine, but suspect a lost tampon and can’t remove it yourself, call your OB-GYN doctor’s office first. Often they will see you right away or they’ll direct you to an urgent care center. You’ll want to get it removed as soon as possible. However, if you suspect a retained tampon and you develop any of the signs or symptoms of TSS, you should go directly to the nearest emergency room and let them know you may have a stuck tampon and you’re worried about TSS.
How to get a swollen vagina out?
To get it out, just wash your hands, squat down, put your finger in your vagina, and you’ll probably be able to feel it and pull it out. If you can’t feel it, can’t reach it, or just don’t feel comfortable with that, see your doctor as soon as you can.
Can a Tampon Get Lost in My Body?
This is one of the most common questions I hear from new tampon users! So let me just start with the good news: NOPE! A tampon CANNOT get lost in your body. Even though your vagina connects your outside parts with the “inside” of your body, there’s basically a dead end at the top of the vagina - it’s called your cervix, and there’s no way a tampon can go past that. The cervix is a barrier between the vagina and the uterus. Nothing can get above the cervix unless it’s liquid or microscopic in size!
How does a doctor remove a stuck tampon?
Firstly, you'll be asked to lie on the couch on your back in the usual position for a gynae examination, stripped off from the waist down. "The examination begins by the doctor or nurse gently inserting a speculum (similar to one used during a smear test, that looks like a duck's beak) into the vagina," explains Dr Lee. "Usually you can easily see the tampon lodged in there, then it can be simply removed with sponge forceps." The tampon may be centrally positioned in front of your cervix, or it may be squashed in one or other side of the cervix, called the vaginal fornix. "We might take a swab at this point. Then, using a pair of long-handled forceps to grasp the end of the tampon, it can be removed." Most women recover very quickly and won't need antibiotics.
How to remove a tampon from a toilet?
If you want to remove a tampon yourself, you can either do it sitting on the toilet or standing with one foot up on the toilet bowl. "Wash your hands first. Part the labia with one hand and insert one or two fingers upwards and backwards as far as they can go ," says Dr Lee.
Where is the tampon located?
The tampon may be centrally positioned in front of your cervix, or it may be squashed in one or other side of the cervix, called the vaginal fornix. "We might take a swab at this point. Then, using a pair of long-handled forceps to grasp the end of the tampon, it can be removed.".
Can you forget a tampon?
First thing's first: yes, it can. "It’s not uncommon to see patients in the sexual health clinic with a forgotten tampon and it's nothing to be ashamed of," Dr Lee says, adding that sometimes people aren't always aware that they're experiencing symptoms because of a rogue tampon either. "Most commonly they attend complaining of smelly vaginal discharge. The smell is usually pretty foul – once smelt never forgotten."
Do you have to go to the doctor for tampons?
You don’t always have to go to the doctor – however, if you’ve tried in vain, it's time to make that appointment. While the vast majority of women with forgotten tampons won't develop a serious infection like Toxic Shock Syndrome, it's always best to err on the side of caution.
Does having a stuck tampon hurt?
If the tampon has been in there for some time, it may be causing discomfort, although most are painless. "The removal may be uncomfortable when the speculum is inserted, but most patients cope very well with the process," notes Dr Lee. "Some patients are very worried and think it may have been there for some time. When it's removed, they feel huge, instant relief."
What does it mean when a tampon is stuck inside?
Seriously, it's actually so common (and not to mention, treatable), that there's a name for it: retained tampon . A retained tampon happens when a tampon becomes stuck in the vaginal canal.
What happens if you have a tampon out?
But if your tampon is out and you're still seeing symptoms, there's a possibility that you could have a vaginal infection that needs to be treated. But it really does depend on how uncomfortable or comfortable you are, so if you feel like you'd like to get checked out by an expert, there's never any harm in doing so!
Can a tampon get stuck in your body?
But before we get into how TF to get a stuck tampon out, let's clarify one thing: your tampon cannot get lost in your body. "The vaginal canal is a closed, contained space, so the tampon can't go into your abdomen or another part of your body," says Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, family physician at One Medical.
Can a tampon be treated with antibiotics?
Though there are some cases where the infection can spread through the whole vaginal canal, it's totally treatable with an antibiotic. Not every person who has a retained tampon ends up needing an antibiotic, according to Dr. Bhuyan.
Can you leave a tampon in for days?
"Don't delay seeing a primary care provider," says Dr. Bhuyan. "If you delay and leave a tampon in there for days or even weeks, it can actually end up causing an infection." Once you're at your physician or gynecologist's office, she says it should be pretty simple for your doctor to spot and remove the tampon.
Can you forget if you have a tampon?
Sometimes you really might not remember whether you have a tampon in you, or you could forget you ever put one in. (and according to Dr. Bhuyan, it really is more common than you think!) If this is the case, there are usually a few symptoms of a retained tampon that you can spot.
Should you still see a doctor if you're able to get the tampon out?
But if your tampon is out and you're still seeing symptoms, there's a possibility that you could have a vaginal infection that needs to be treated.
How to remove tampons during your period?
Making sure that you alternate tampons with sanitary towels whenever you have your periods. If possible, making certain you utilize low absorbency ones. At the end of your period, ensure you remove the last tampon. Before going to bed, insert a fresh piece, and proceed to remove it in the morning.
What happens if you forget a tampon?
For a woman with stuck or forgotten tampon, the primary concerns are infections, pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, and odor. You may experience small amounts of clots in your menstrual blood if a tampon gets stuck inside your vagina. Some of the symptoms and side efects you should expect include: 1. Infection.
How long does a tampon last?
A forgotten tampon that lasts 1 to 3 weeks can result in unusual odor from the vaginal area, discharge and even an infection. Vaginal odor and infection as well as discomfort are some of the symptoms of a tampon lost inside you. The truth is, it should eventually come out on its own after soaking heavy with menstrual blood ...
What happens if you forget to take your tampon off after your period?
2. Foul vaginal odor and discharge. As a woman, forgetting to remove your tampon after your period may lead to minor complaints, which may then develop into more serious complications with time.
Why do women wear tampons?
Older and mid-life women have also been known to use tampons as a way of preventing exercise induced urine loss, which in some cases leads to losing them when they forget to remove. For the menstrual plug to get lost, there is usually some degree of compression and sideway movements.
Why do women put tampons out of their minds?
Some women may put it out of their minds because they are embarrassed about the stuck tampon, which would only lead to them putting their health at risk. It becomes riskier the longer it stays in you.
What happens when you put a tampon in your blood?
Researchers believe that bacterial toxins often start developing on this tampon, which then end up being absorbed into the woman’s bloodstream.
What to do if tampon is lost?
If you notice that a tampon is getting lost and out of reach inside the vagina. Then you will want to consider going to your gynecologist to have it inspected. Your doctor can take a sample of tissue and use it to help them determine what might be going on.
How to get rid of a tampon in the bathtub?
Simply mix a tablespoon of the powder with a glass of water and pour it into your bathtub.
When Does A Lost Tampon Start To Smell?
When does a lost tampon start to smell? The first symptom is usually a strong fishy smell that does not really go away.
Would I Still Bleed If I Lost A Tampon?
You would be surprised to know that you will still bleed if you have had an accident in the middle of the night.
Why does my tampon not come out?
It is very difficult for the tampon to come out if it has gotten stuck inside the tissue. But it can not disappear because the cervix will protect it from entering into your uterus.
How long does a tampon smell last?
Some women may also find that this smell comes on quickly and can last up to a week after the tampon is removed.
How to tell if a tampon is stuck?
And could be losing its shape, you can still tell if a tampon has gotten stuck and out of reach inside the vagina by using a mirror. If you can see a small line in your vaginal wall, then it is likely that you have tissue that is thin and is becoming thinner.
How to get a tampon out of a tampon?
Pull the string at the end of the tampon. The tampon should slide out easily, with little or no resistance.
How to remove a tampon?
To remove a tampon, sit on the toilet with your legs spread and try to relax as you pull the string at the end of the tampon. Once out, wrap the tampon in toilet paper and throw it in the garbage. If the string breaks or is lost, insert your pointer finger and feel around until you locate the tampon.
How to tell if a tampon is too low?
Check your tampon if it feels uncomfortable. If your tampon is inserted correctly, you should not be able to tell it is there. If you can feel something, it means the tampon is too low. With clean hands, use one finger to push the tampon further up into your vagina.
What to do if you change your tampon?
If you try to change your tampon and it still has a lot of absorbency or only has a little blood on it, try switching to a lower absorbency tampon. Always wear the tampon with the lowest possible absorbency for your flow.
How long does it take for a tampon to dry?
If the tampon is dry, take it out after eight hours. If it's "wet", it should come out easily.
What does it mean when your tampon is wet?
Change your tampon if you feel any wetness. This means your tampon is no longer absorbing the blood and it is leaking.
When to change tampon string?
Change your tampon if you tug on the string and it slides out easily. You should give the string a little experimental pull every time you go to the bathroom. If the tampon comes right out, then it's time to change.
