You should never leave a single tampon in for more than 8 hours at a time. The general recommendation is to change tampons every 4 to 8 hours, with many experts suggesting changing them every 4 to 6 hours to reduce the risk of irritation, infection, and toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
. It is safe to sleep with a tampon in as long as you do not sleep longer than 8 hours. Insert a fresh tampon right before going to bed and remove it as soon as you wake up. If you expect to sleep longer than 8 hours, it is advisable to use a pad or another menstrual product instead
. Leaving a tampon in longer than 8 hours increases the risk of bacterial growth, which can lead to infections including toxic shock syndrome, a rare but serious condition caused by bacterial toxins
. In summary:
- Change tampons every 4 to 8 hours, ideally every 4 to 6 hours.
- Do not leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours.
- It is safe to sleep with a tampon if the duration is less than 8 hours.
- Use pads or other products if you expect to wear protection for longer than 8 hours.
This guidance helps minimize health risks and ensures safe tampon use throughout your period.
