Forgot Tampon

[Chenile]

I have just discovered that I forgot to take out a tampon but have had my period this whole week so have been using a tampon on top of the old one. I had noticed a very bad odour and when I took the left one out its was horrific!! This morning I woke up feeling like im getting flu and im worried its TSS. If anyone has done something as silly as this before and has advice please let me know. Im reading all sorts of things about it being life-threatening etc. I would appreciate any advice.

[oceans3]

hi. i have done this before only not as long. i didnt have any odor or anything but the tampon was far in and the string was not visable so i forgot it was there. i had to reach far in. i called the phone # on the box/brochure of the tampons and asked someone about it cuz i was scared. if i remember correctly, they are nurses but you should DEFINITLY call and not let this go. or call your gynocologist so they can see you. will you post back and let us know??

[Chenile]

Thanks for your reply....and advice....
The thing is that I got my period on Saterday so between then and now ive left it in and it was lodged so far back because I was then using fresh tampons...(rather blonde)!!! The odour is from having my period and the tampon just collecting most of it.......sounds so awful.....ive just consulted the best doctor I know...my MUM and she seems to think it should be fine and has suggested some sort off anti bacterial wash pescribed to woman for Vaginal Infections..she is going to email me the name of it. Have you ever heard of anything like this? How long did you leave the tampon inside ? I don't understand how I forgot about it, its something you would think you would never forget about.....I will let you know the outcome....thank-you again.

[oceans3]

yes, i did the same thing..put a new tampon in w. the old one in there pushing it further in. you are not the only one to do this so stop calling yourself "blonde" ok?? it happens to the best of us. your mom is a dr? i still think you should call the 1-800 # on the box just for "ha ha's" and see what the reccommend. i do not know of the cream your mom was referring to. what type of dr. is she? also, i dont think you mentioned this..did you get the old one out? i just dont like how you said you have an odor and flu-like. that concerns me.

[IWantToBeAMom]

I think TSS is pretty seriousl business.  If you read the pamphlet that comes in the tampon box they are very emphatic about going to see a doctor if you develop symptoms.  

At the very least please call your doc's office and ask to speak with a nurse.  Ask the nurse what she recommends.  I personally think you should be examined, but maybe I'm overreacting.

[Christie2004]

TSS is very rare, remember that.  Most health care practitioners have never in their professional lives seen a case.

[waterskigirl]

My husband had a girlfriend in high school and her mother got TSS from an ectopic pregnancy that burst.  She almost died and is now in a wheel chair the rest of her life becuase of brain damage.  Go to a doctor immediately!

[oceans3]

tss is very rare and usually not fatal if recognized and treated. when it occurs can be dangerous. a tampon left in (usually the super absorbancy ones) can give off bacteria that produces toxins. normally, our body would just fight off the bacteria but if it doesnt react to fight off these toxins that can equal tss.  
tss symptoms usually show 2-3 days after an infection sets in. if the dr. suspects you have it, he/she may do a blood test and/or give antibiotics. again, tss is rare but ONLY because you have "flu-like" symptoms is why i would go in. did you call the dr. as of yet?

[Chenile]

No my mum is not a doctor but she has the best advice and she knows everything!!! What she said is logical its just I can't think back that far....the only reason I thought about having a 2nd tampon stuck inside me is because this morning I battled to get one in........so the same would have happened earlier this week surely, I just can't remember that far. I saw on another website a girl had left one in for about 5 days and said it had a horrific smell and the Dr replied saying that it was fine as long as she got it out....but you are right, when I get home I will contact the number on the box just to make sure...I unfortunately panic and work my self up so after reading that TSS starts like flu I think im mentally making myself worse.....hopefully its a concidence........The thing my mum is talking about is called a "Douce" something you squirt up there...used for infections there etc. I will let you know what the outcome it once I have phoned the helpline number. Im hoping all is okay. thanku again for your reply........im glad to hear im not the only one who has done this!!!

[oceans3]

oh no! please dont douche! i dont want to disagree w. mum cuz you know how mums know best but that can push any bacteria even further up causing more problems!!
listen, tss is rare but can happen. if you have a fever of 102 or higher, vommiting, diarreah (sp), dizziness/fainting or a sunburn-like rash are symptoms of tss. i understand the dr. can give something to take care of it if you do have it but its better to be safe than sorry. please call your dr. post back ok?

[Chenile]

You are being very helpful!!! okay, no douching then.....im trying to think as sensibly as possible and I reckon I could be over reacting because im not vomiting nor do I have a runny stomach.....my flu like symptoms are sinusie ones so maybe it is just flu after all..........I have just sent an email to the tampon manufacturers and have asked there advice....I will let you know what they reply back. Why I can't remember all the important details is a mystery to me...its funny how you can work yourself up in your mind and convince yourself of something thats not true....but im still not 100% convinced myself...when you say TSS is rare...do you mean it doesn't happen often?

[greenpixie]

I don't want to alarm you, but please call your Dr immediately!  I went to high school with a girl that developed TSS and it is not pretty.  It may be nothing, but please see a physician.  Don't feel bad that you left one in, it happens.  Just make sure that you are ok.  The tampon manufacturers cannot do that.

[Chenile]

Hi there. thank-you for your advice. I will have to arrange to see my doctor....its just such a hassle...but I guess health issues should never be a hassle...
Thanku again. Will let you know the outcome.

[ateague]

What I've read from online articles is this, douching does nothing to clean you out.  If fact, it can actually be harmful to your vagina.  Your vagina has an acidic ph to it to kill any harmful bacteria trying to invade.  Douches change this ph to alkaline which, in turn, could cause infections.  I never recommend douches unless, for some reason, your doc recommends it for you.  Good luck and I hope it turns out alright.

[JoAnnaRF]

Posts like these make me so paranoid about using tampons but they also make women more cautious. So please do not feel embarrassed. I have found myself wondering more times than I can count if I left one behind. Soemtimes I just can't for the life of me remember if I took the last one out or not. And I am one of those that doesn't JUST use tampons, I switch back and forth but also have problems with a reaction to pads. And tampons cause severe cramps for some reason, so anyways, the lapse in the on and off of using them leaves lots of room for doubt as to IF I took it out..
Why I am going on about his is beyound me. Just wanted to let you know that we are ALL forgetful.
And i also wanted to mention that they do not recommend leaving them in for more than 8 hours for all of the resons the ladies have already listed. And I am also assuming that you are in Europe by the usage of the word "mum" which is so indearing to me... I know that in the U.S. douching USED to be very popular. Those Summer's Eve commercials were on every five minutes telling women they had to douch to be clean and fresh.. Now I don't think I've seen a douche on the store shelves in years. The female body is a self cleaning oven..LOL
So keep an eye on your temp and please see a medical doctor. I'm sure your mum is very intelligent but even she would hate to see you get ill after taking her advice not to worry. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Keep us posted..
--JoAnna

[Chenile]

Thanks everyone for you help and advice!!!! I have not used the douche after reading all the negative's about it, I am however quite confident that I do NOT have TSS, I have not been to my doctor but thats because I am feeling so much better today, I have a cold only and its a sinusie cold so it can't be TSS. I think I thought the worst (as girls seem to always do..) and after a chat with my mum and much logical thinking im should be just fine!! However if anything does happen to prove me wrong I will be sure to let you know. I did get a response to my email from the tampon manufacturer who thought that the tampon was lost inside of me and she instructed me to see my doctor straight away.......well I got the tampon out and my body should be sorting the rest...I drunk over 2 litres of cranberry juice last night and about 8 glasses of green tea to cleanse my system!!!!! Thank-you all once again......... :-)

[oceans3]

thanks for posting back. im sure youre ok too but just keep an eye on yourself!

[luvinsean]

hi i went to the clinic last night to get checked out and i had a tampon stuck in me and i was having crazy periods and headaches feeling sick but no fevers or anything but i did get it out they gave me the gel anitbiotic and doxicycline and ive been takin it i was just wonderin will this mess up my chances to get pregnant? me and my husband have been tryin but havent had any luck but we also didnt know that was up there and i dont know how long its been because we had stop having sex for almost 2 months so now we wanna try again and im really excited but i worry due to what they had taken out is it safe? does it risk my chances?

[Casey771]

I have recently done the same thing. I had a baby about three weeks ago, and my doctor told me when i was comfortable, i could use tampons again. I started noticing a slight pain when I sat a certain way and even when i used the restroom. I figured it was from the pregnancy, so i thought nothing of it. It took about a week of pain and countless new tampons (on top on the old one) before i figured out what the problem was. My first reaction was "Omg, I have TSS." But after talking to my mother, she suggested just to watch for symptoms such as vomiting and a fever and recommended if they do show, go to the ER right away. So im still watching for any types of symptoms, none have appeared.. yet. It was just a scary situation.

[Casey771]

I have recently done the same thing. I had a baby about three weeks ago, and my doctor told me when i was comfortable, i could use tampons again. I started noticing a slight pain when I sat a certain way and even when i used the restroom. I figured it was from the pregnancy, so i thought nothing of it. It took about a week of pain and countless new tampons (on top on the old one) before i figured out what the problem was. My first reaction was "Omg, I have TSS." But after talking to my mother, she suggested just to watch for symptoms such as vomiting and a fever and recommended if they do show, go to the ER right away. So im still watching for any types of symptoms, none have appeared.. yet. It was just a scary situation.

[kimber08]

Today I went to an urgent care walk in clinic because of really bad almost rotten smells, and watery discharge coming out whenever I stood up from laying or sitting down. I thought maybe it was bacterial vaginosis. When he put the speculum in and was like, "You have a tampon in there, did you know that?" I was like "No!"  Its been probably 8 days since the last day I would have used a tampon from my period, so I was absolutely embarrassed and shocked. He really had to dig for it too. What makes it worse, is I've had sex between that timeframe and before those symptoms arose. The 22nd I started having cold symptoms just out of nowhere, runny nose, headaches, feeling weak and tired, but I have gradually been feeling better. Dr said I was lucky I didnt have TSS, my temp was normal, so Im assuming I dont have anything to worry about right? He didnt even give me anything for a possible infection or anything.

[vdiggitydawg]

I left a tampon in for over 10 days one time, and it was horrific! I did develop TSS, and it was not pretty. I was very sick for about 2minths, and on antibiotics that made me even sicker.  I was so paraniod by tampon usage after that, that I did not use them for 7 years! I am now using them again, but with caution. I still am always paraniod, and constantly "check" to see if there are 2 in there. the worst part was that I took many many bubble baths during the time it was left in there, as well as have sex. You would think we could tell, but the human body is amazing. My main concern now is every time I get a vaginal odor with my period that I do not recognize I freak out. Does anyone know what could cause weird period odor beside this?

[oiky]

hi ok so 3-4 weeks ago i inserted a tapon only to then start to panic as i really didn't remember taking the last one out! just before I inserted it I had a feel around for string etc. as I always do due to my constant fear of forgetting to take the previous one out - felt nothing! Anyway once the panic struck, I removed the (what might be) second tampax, spoke to a couple of friends who had once done the same and was told by them that I would know for sure in a couple of days as the symptoms are very obvious (odor, discharge etc) I comforted myself thereafter as I stayed away from using tampax and my period seemed to be flowing normally and no symptoms! I now have my next period! And something just doesn't feel right! Slight burning sensation etc! But I've had a good feel around and can feel no sign of a forgotten tampax and no other symtoms that others speak of! My questions are 1) to the people who suddenly realized they had a forgotten tampax, how did you find out? Did it just slowly work its way out?... 2) Is it possible to leave one in and there not be an infection/odor? I will go to the gyno after this period if i'm still unsure... Thanks for any input!

[jesslee83]

i've left one in once, and my husband found it during foreplay.....i neverknew it was there....unfortunately for him, i couldnt reach, and ittook him about 5 mins of digging before being able to retrieve it.....i dont remmeber now how long it was in there maybe a lil more than a week, and i didnt smell or have an infection.....
if you lay on your back and insert your middle finger(i know you're on your period but you need to check), (make sure you remove the tampon your using now)....lay on your bed, prop on 1 elbow, and "hunker down".....and push.....with your finger feel around, and you "may" feel a dry spot that feels funny as well.....don't push on it, just feel around.....you may be able to find the string and pull it out, if there's anything inthere.....

sorry to get so descriptive, but i've had to go through this onthe phone with 2 diff g/f's lol.....

[oiky]

Thanks so much Jessica, shall attempt that tonight! At work now so think I'll save my associates from such a site (hehe)... And thanks for the description I would be lost without it! I'll keep you posted! O

[crooks]

I was in quite a lot of pain just after my period I 99% think that I have not left one in but did anyone who did leave one in suffer any cramp pain?

[jenny288]

i noticed a funny odour and when  i was trying to figure out why i had it i discovered i had left a tampon in. it has been in for the last 4 days and i had sex on the first day without protection. i ahve no symptoms of tss but i am worring now. could this cause an infection or pregnancy?please help

[janab99]

Must be a summer time thing.. I just realized after 8 days that I had left one in.. I started to get odor about 5 days ago but have had odors due to vaginosis in the past and figured I just needed to use the cream my doctor had given me last time, its just inconvenient to use when you stay at your boyfriends a lot. Not exactly something you want to share in a new relationship but then I had sex a few days ago and it didnt hurt but the smell was there. How embarrassing!
Then today I started to get cramping and I started to bleed and I knew something was up because my period ended a week ago. So I just reached my finger up in there and I think the reason I was bleeding was because the tampon was trying to make its way back out so it was right there when I reached in to look for it. Smelled horrible!!! So gross and embarrassing.
I called Planned Parenthood and they said if I got it out and I was having symptoms of TSS then I didn't need to see a doctor but if the odor didn't subside in a couple of days to call back and make an appointment. The main thing is to get it out and to watch for symptoms of TSS. Im just going to use the cream my doctor gave me for the next couple of days.. we'll see what happens.
One of my girlfriends got TSS many years ago and it was horrible for her so make sure you watch for those symptoms and call your doctor right away. TSS is not something anyone wants to have to go through.
Good luck ladies.

[lindsay1702]

Ok I was noticing a funny odor from my vaginal area and some leakage didn't know what was going on I thought it was from a new vitamin I was taking come to find out I went to the bathroom this morning and a freaking tampon came out could not believe it now I am worried what if there is another one in there? is it possible to have 3 in at one time sounds crazy but now i am so paranoid I hate pads it makes me feel like a teenager grose! my husband said when we had sex it felt like something was in there i was like no there isnt that was like three weeks ago he was right has anyone had one lost that long? I have only had funny odor and a sinus infection! I am not going to play around I am going to call my dr. asap
thanks for any replys
lindsay

[tammie720]

I just wanted to thank you for posting such a descriptive post on Jul 23, 2008.  I had a feeling I might have left one in on the second day of my period and after feeling around up there, it had either significantly changed in two weeks or something else moved in.  After your description, I had the courage to hunker down and finally dislodged the culprit thanks to your frankness.  So, thanks for that!  Now I can get some sleep...it was keeping me up with worry! :)

[lizziebrite]

The same thing just happened to me. I had my period 2 wks ago and it ended on Thursday (today's Wednesday). I must have put a "light" in there and the string must have gotten lost somehow because this morning it started to feel funny and then I felt it when I wiped. So I reached in and there it was. It was only for 6 days but I still can't believe it. My husband was complaining that something felt off when we were making love for the past few days. We thought it might be the string from my IUD which has bothered him in the past and I've had my OB/GYN readjust it before.
I'm going to make an appointment with my ON right away just to be sure as I've been having cramps and headaches for 3 days. Reading this has made me feel a lot less stupid. Good to know it happens and I'm not the only one.

[JJ999]

I had the exact same thing happen, however, mine was 3 days and yes had sex inbetween.  I would go to my doctor immediately.  My doctor explained that you have an infection that must be treated with antibiotics.  In fact, she also told me not to use anything to ****** because this would make the bacteria up into your cervix.  I trust my OB/GYN and I will pay closer attention in the future.

My symptons.....worst smelling discharge ever.  I felt like you could smell it with my clothes on.  I also had lower abdominal pain.  I took Flagyl.

I don't think this is anything to play around with.

Also, don't be embarrassed.  My doc said she sees this about twice a week!!!!

Good luck.

[gglili]

i'm so glad to know i am not the only one who makes such a dum mistake. i never thought u can really forget your tampon.it has never occured to me that there was one left inside although the past a few days i smell awful and had horrible discharges and i was thinking to see a dr finding out what is going on. then tonight i went to have a shower and the string showed up. it was horrifying,scary and extremely shocking. it kind of freaked me out. luckily im still alive and don't seem to have any TSS symptons. however, im still seeing the dr tomorrow for sure.

[Mary5161]

Ok, I don't feel so stupid and embarrassed anymore. I got my period 10days ago. I forgot to take out the first tampon and continued for the rest of my period with it in while using new ones. By the second day I had a terrible odor, was so self conscience that everyone could smell it. The odor and water/brown discharge continued all this week till on the 10th day I was feeling like I had a bladder or UTI infection because I had to pee about 4 times in 5 min. The only relief from discomfort was to sit on the toilet so there was pressure on my vaginal area. I reached down to see if the area was swollen and was shocked to feel the tampon almost coming out. Like others have said...the most disgusting thing I have smelled and seen. My question is, when the odor started I also woke up with a cold, sore throat and sinus problem. I noticed that others commented about a sinus infection but no tss symptoms. I have not had a fever but have been dragging all week. I got very dizzy for two days but figured I took a cold medicine that didn't agree with me. Now I have the urge to pee and the only relief I get is sitting on the toilet. I am in the midst of changing GYN''s in fact I was suppose to go Friday for a check up...boy would I have been embarrassed when she did her internal...what a way to meet a new doctor!!! I had to cancel it because of work and am not rescheduled till January. Do you think I need to see her or should I just get a urine test done. I know you are not doctors but with the Thanksgiving holiday coming this week I know I won't get an appt.

[CloudieGin]

I honestly don't get how anyone can lose a tampon or forget about one. For me, I am always aware of having one in. Maybe I'm just really small or tight.

[stressmess143]

ummmm...wow....just found this site and feel like i can breathe!!!  Thank you ladies!  I'm writing this like I would be speaking with a best friend.  Hope it helps......

Mission Remove Funk Stick was successful!  Going to gyno tomorrow just to be safe.  I've had the same symptoms listed....god awful smell, discharge, crazy cramps, back pain, exhausted....just in a "funk".  Cranky and not feeling well x20!!!!  It all makes perfect sense now and am able to connect the dots of my symptoms over the past 2 weeks.  I knew something was wrong but didn't trust my body enough.  Thought it was new diet, stress with job, getting older (31) and feeling like this must be what happens as you get older and haven't had babies.  (My Scrambled Eggs I had called it) HA!  Thought i was infected and that the times of not being "safe" had come back to bite me and I was now "paying for it" and probably suffering from an STD but paralyzed at the idea of going 31 years and being a hornball and not catching anything.  Thought for sure this was my fate after yearly checks and being without anything.  I realize now how consumed with worry I have been about this STD thing.  Was already scheduled for gyno apt to test for infection and today I just didn't feel right.  (I know I probably sound like a whack job right now but it's very true)  I just relaxed (which is hard for me to do) and thought outloud==== if something is wrong or needs to be fixed...I need a sign.  Sure enough about 20 minutes later I felt the urge to fish around (pun intended) and reallized that the inside didn't feel like it normally does.  CRAZY SWOLLEN inside if that makes sense. Just by feel...i obviously couldn't stretch things open to actually be able to see anything but just kinda went poking and grasping and tugging at areas and then all of a sudden I felt the middle part of the tampon because my index finger was inside and like a hook.( I felt like was playing the Helen Keller lottery and then finally won the jackpot. )  Just the way it felt like it would work if something was up there...that would be the only way i could retrieve it.  As rancid as it was...it was a HUGE HUGE HUGE relief that something else was causing the problems I had been having.  I thought I was going crazy the last 2 weeks and being extra whiny about health stuff that i usually wouldnt have paid attention to.  I think when you look for the good in people you find it and when u go searching for a tampon that could be the cause to the gross smell that you have been experiencing you find that too. TRUE!   THINK POSITIVE and go see a doctor regardless.  There is no harm in going.  What's the worst thing that could happen?  You are either going 1) to be super embarassed...(big deal, get over it...they see it way more than you think.) or 2) they tell you you are fine and that xyz is the problem instead.  either way it's dealable.  You can't deal with the unknown and the worrying is TOXIC.  In many ways!  HA!  Go seek a doctor visit.  If you dont have insurance and that is your concern...because of  $$$$$...been in that boat too.  If I were you in this circumstance I would go to ER, tell your symptoms and let them know that you are concerned you might have a tampon inserted and stuck and that you aren't sure if you should even waste the emergency departments time or can they recommend where to go to seek treatment if you dont have a primary doctor.   If you are honest about your symptoms and want to be proactive about the situation that's what i would do. Like I stated pages ago...(ha!  Chatty Kathy here!  )  I have an apt already scheduled because I thought I had some type of infection.   I will re type a BRIEF, I promise, post in regards to the final treatment


P.S.  because I have a zero tolerance for someone thinking their sh*% doesnt stink......

Chic-a-dee in one of the posts that said that she doesn't know how this could happen?  I hope you have to go on a helen keller journey and maybe will have a change in judgemental attitude.  Your vag probably isn't as tight and small as you'd like to think it is.  Be respectful.  

[sjg1117]

So I just found my tampon...  What ***** is I can't remember when I would of left it there...  My period ended 2 1/2 weeks ago; but I may have used one at the club last week.  Point is I started bleeding during sex...  Totally gross and embarrassing (new boyfriend- he was super sweet about it)...  thinking it was just cause of the rough sex, we waited a week and then did it again.  This time there was a lot of blood and that damn rotten smell.  (which i had started to notice a few days before)  I have an appointment made, but I wanted to research it on my own.  All sorts of problems came back that could possibly cause the bleeding; cancer, STD, infection, then I read "stuck tampon"  I almost died because i knew immediately that had to be it.

My question is has anyone else experienced the bleeding part?  I had the smell, the sickness; but only one person mentioned bleeding.  I was just curious.  I am still seeing the doc next week as scheduled.

Thanks ladies....  I am glad that there are forums like this where you don't have to feel embarrassed about the stupid **** you do or worry about...

[vjmb]

The exact thing has just happened to me, the tampon came out today from last wednesday so... 10 days with it in there!
i had just ben feeling dizzy tired shaky and weak. there was no foul odor, im guessing becuase when i put the tampon in i was really light to the point where i think i had finished my period. But im bleeding now that the old tampon is out.
and still feeling a big dizzy. but i dont know if its all in my head since i was reading about tss and getting a lil parionod. Im going to see if my obgyn can see my tomorrow. let me know how your apt goes!

[jblue2001]

i just discovered i had left a tampon in because it came out. i am on my period and there was an odor that was just nasty. well now i know where it was coming from because when this tampon came out that was the most foul stench. sorry to be so candid but there is no other way to describe it. anyway i have been feeling sluggish all week. i do not know how long the lost tampon has been inside me so am quite concerned. i am calling my gyn. first thing in the am. i have been feeling dizzy, breasts and under arms are swollen and sore beyond belief. a bit of pain in the abdomen. maybe i should call the emergency room........... now i am a bit scared. no fever though. also, just a couple side comments. one, thank you to every lady out there for sharing your experiences it has been a comfort and help to know i'm not the only one with a hectic life that could forget a tampon and two, to the person ( you do not act like a lady) who said she didn't know how this could happen and maybe that was because she was "small and tight" no. 1 i doubt it and no. 2 you need some help in being thoughtful and caring of others. good luck to you if this is your outlook in life.

[Lain04]

wow! i just found my tampon about an hour ago! it was the scariest thing in the world for me. now im just scared there is another one up there. Now that ive read all the other posts, i realize i was having some symptoms. I was dizzy, had head aches, and felt very tired. i thought maybe i was pregnant! i still hope to get into my doc tomorrow..... he is booked all week! im still freaking out so i hope im ok!

thank you to everyone! you all calmed me down and realize i need to trust me instincts. i knew something was wrong, after reading all this is when i gathered up the courage to start searching for that damn thing!

i will keep u all posted!

[aprilpearson]

Hey ladies,
I just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their horrifc stories of leaving their tampons in.  I have been using tampons since I was 15 years old.  I am now 27 and I have never, one time left a tampon in my vagina.  Until today, which was so crazy and scary.  I did not have any signs or symptoms of anything except for a little foul smell, which only started to smell today.  I took a shower this morning.  I was fine.  No smell no nothing, but later in the day I used the bathroom and my underware smelled kind of bad.  I decided to take a bath and my 4 year old little girl was in there with me. I started to wash really good and all of the sudden I felt something strange down there.  IT WAS A TAMPON STRING! I was horrified and I pulled it out in the tub.  I could not beleive my freaking eyes.  I was worried.  I wasn't sure how long it had been in there.  I called my husband in there and told him about it.  We had just had sex two days earlier and I know it wasn't in there then.  I could not remember putting it in.  The only explaination is that I put it in in the middle of the night and totally for got about it the next day.  It was the light absorbency so it was easy to forget about and not realize it was in there. Of course having three children things aren't the way they used to be.
To the "GIRL" who posted about not seeing how anyone can leave a tampon in, and she must be tight or something.  You will say that until one day it happens to you.  I have been using tampons for over ten years and have never done a thing like this before in my life. How does one forget really?  When your life is filled with chaos, a household of children and a husband.  It's easy to not realize you've left one in.  GOD bless to all of you who have posted and I hope that girl never has to experience such a horric feeling.  You really feel like you've lost your mind.  How could I have done that?

[bestoffriends]

Thank you ladies for talking so openly about this issue. Thanks for having me know this isn't something that just happen to me! I love you guys!

Hope:)

[ladyesq]

God bless this child, Chenile, for asking this question.

By the way Sam on sex in the City, once had this issue.

I am curled over w/ abdominal pains and am convinced I left a tampon in.  I told myself at the gym that I would leave it in until I stopped by the store on the way home to get a new box, and when I got home it wasn't there.  I figured I must have chose to rolled the dice and decided to go w/out until I got home, but I know that wasn't usually a call I would make. Looked for it a little, but couldnt find it.

Foul odor, came for a couple of days, now gone, but still no tampon.
Im going fishing w/ my hook finger tonight, if not to the clinic tomorrow.

Shout out to stressmess143,

I was thinking the same thing about the comment that u have zero tolerance for, I don't even think granny panties wears tampons.


By the way Sam on Sex in the City, once had this issue, and asked for help from her friends (or could have been a diaphragm but I think tampon b/c who uses diaphrams anymore?)

[alieisx]

Hey thanks to everyone on this site. I realized that i had one suck in after my fiance found it and was like... ummmmm u have a tampon in. and that was 3 days after my period had ended. i was mortified. and yea that thing smell like a tuna sandwich left out in the sun all day. barf. so i looked up everything on tss and came across this site and it was a relief. I ended up going to the regular doctor today cuz it was burning a little. and i guess the bacteria gave me a uti so im on antibiotics and not feeling crazy anymore lol. happy fishing ;-)

[itsits]

Wow!  I didn't know this was so common.  I have used tampons almost since I started my period 21 years ago and have never left one in.  And I am knocking on wood that I never ever do.  Luckily for me, I rarely ever have feminine issues (1 yeast infection, 1 bladder infection and hardly ever have menstrual cramps) so if that ever happens to me, hopefully, I will know right away.  I am always paranoid about TSS so I usually will switch to a panty liner as soon as my period lightens up.  Also, I always tuck my string into the fold of my right inner thigh so I can always feel it and it doesn't get lost.  I hope all you ladies are okay and nothing serious comes out of forgetting about your tampon.  

Anyway, good luck and thanks for all the info.  Even those of us who have never done this can use this information.  Knowledge is a good prevention tool.  

[herpes3]

During foreplay, my boyfriend found, what we think is a tampon string.  My period ended 6 days ago so it was in there awhile. I hadn't noticed any odor or discharge but I have been feeling feverish and nausea for the last 24 hours or so. I'm extra concerned because 5 days ago I underwent radioactive iodine treatment for a thyroid problem. This means there has been radiation in my body all week (which is nerve-wrecking in and of itself).  Pulling out a horrible, grey colored, tampon string is the last thing I needed this week.I don't even know how a STRING would've gotten left up there. I only use "light flow" small tampons. COULD IT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING ELSE? I did call an OBGYN. She said not to worry b/c even though I felt feverish my temperature didn't exceed 99 degrees. Also, she thinks I'll be alright because I haven't experienced an odor or discharge. Still, I'm horrified that something strange like that has been hanging out in my vagina for a week.

[Tee722]

I feel so stupid.  I was having this horrible odor and a black/brownish discharge.  I thought it was because of some medication I was on and when I looked it up it said it can cause that type of discharge.   But the odor was so bad.  It turns out that I left a tampon in since my last period and it came out while I was using the bathroom.  I was so confused thinking could I really have left it in that long???  I had sex and went through another menstrual cycle before I realized it.  Luckily I was already on meds for BV and I think that's the only reason I didn't get sick.

[diana637]

i left my tampon in twice for ten hours and at first i saw some white stuff but now it has stopped but i'm very itchy down there. i don't know if it's irritation or something else??

[sunnydayz8]

I have done this quite a few times. I go to one of the best gyno's in the nation. I was informed that TSS is pretty much impossible. The only thing that can occur from a stuck tampon is an infection. If you forgot a tampon was there and had sex or put another in, no need to worry, (i have done this before), just call your obgyn & they will give you an emergency visit. The gyno will take it right out & prescribe you antibiotics to treat the infection. *You must see your dr because you need to get the tampon out so that it doesn't cause further infection, also, you need meds to heal the infection. My dr. said not to try to take it out on your own. It is very difficult to take out b/c it is so far in. Also, my dr. said it is nothing to be embarrased about as his top nurses have done this. It is common believe it or not. Just make certain you get an appt w/your dr. Also, even if you are not sure, go! I was uncertain once and I still went, there was nothing there, however, it is better to be safe than sorry and not constantly worrying and wondering if there is one stuck. Take my advice, go to your dr. Take care.

[KimNurse]

Ok!  I am an ER nurse and have helped remove these old tampons! I always thought...Geeez! How could you forget a tampon?  Well, at 40 yrs old...I did it!  So there you go!  A huge slap in the face!!!!  i started my period about 7 days ago. About 2 days ago I noticed this horrific smell!  Thought it must be some kind of infection? Today, pulled a tampon out that I had no idea was in there! Not sure how long it was there! Could be as long as 7 days!  I work tonight in the ER. Gonna talk to one of our (preferably women) docs and find out if I need to get some antibiotics!  Geeeez!  Embarrasing!!!!  So no making fun....it can happen to anyone!!!!!!!

[Nikki635]

Thank you so much to everyone who responded. This has happened to my daughter. she went to the ER they gave her a shot some more antibiotics in a cup and yet more clindamycin, that she should take every six hours for ten days.She was feeling very tired,crampy, sharp pains in her pelvic, cranky  and slight feverish. We did not know what was wrong with her.THANK YOU GUYS SOOOOO MUCH . And to the lady with the so called tight small vagina,(really) I believe that's what you tell your self so you can feel better, its not about the size its about forgetting the tampon,and why are you reading this? if you don't have a positive input? God bless you. Just want to know did any one else need this much medication?

[andromeda99]

Thank you to everyone for sharing their stories, I am so relieved I found this forum! !! Not feeling quite so embarrassed now.. last week I had my period it was heavy at the start but seemed short, sometimes it is that way! I was with someone I've just recently started seeing, anyway I evidently tucked it up and out of the way in case we became too excitable - we didn't in the end- but having been so tired of recent, a big weekend too, and having done such an efficient job of hiding it I somehow had it in my head later I had removed rather than hidden it and thought no more about it. No suspicion at all that anything was up there.  For 6 1/2 days.  Had sex while it was still in, and was only discovered this Saturday morning, to my horror, by him, during foreplay.  I was firstly shocked and mortified,  straight followed by thoughts of TSS and am worried about it still, but for me perhaps the worst thing about this was the embarrassment!! I felt so stupid and dirty!!! Thought no one else could do this, he was pretty shocked too, I wanted to disappear, was a bit of a turn off!! And the extraction was disgusting.  Anyway I was just going to see how I felt and not go get some antibiotics, but after reading the stories here it sounds as though I should.  Health first, but shame is always hot on the tail, if not a first reaction in my circumstance!  Thanks for helping me keep it in perspective!!   A little bit anyway.