What happens when you leave a tampon in too long?

Leaving a tampon in for too long can lead to a number of health risks. One of the most serious is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection. TSS is caused by bacteria that can grow on a tampon that is left in for too long, usually more than 8 hours. Symptoms of TSS include high fever, sudden drop in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, remove your tampon immediately and seek medical attention.

Other risks of leaving a tampon in too long include:

- Vaginal irritation and discomfort. A tampon that is left in for too long can cause the vagina to become dry, irritated, and sore. This can lead to pain during urination, intercourse, and tampon insertion.

- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) A tampon can block the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria in the urinary tract, which can cause a UTI. Symptoms of a UTI include frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine.

- Vaginal Infection A tampon that is left in for too long can also lead to a vaginal infection, such as yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. Symptoms of a vaginal infection include itching, burning, or pain in the vagina, changes in vaginal discharge, and a strong odor.

- Toxic shock syndrome (TSS). This rare but life-threatening condition can occur when bacteria that normally live in the vagina start to produce toxins. Symptoms of TSS include high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and rash.

It is important to change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours, and to always remove it before going to bed. If you have any questions or concerns about changing your tampon, talk to your doctor.