If you have a tampon stuck in your vagina, it is important to remove it as soon as possible to avoid any complications. Here are some steps you can take to remove a stuck tampon:
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Wash your hands with warm water and soap. Cover up any open cuts or scabs on your fingers with a bandage to prevent any small cuts in your vagina, which could lead to an infection.
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Relax your muscles. This will make it easier to feel for the stuck tampon.
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Insert two fingers into your vagina and try to grasp the tampon or its string. Using lubricant might help to ease any discomfort.
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Pull the tampon out very gently.
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Check the tampon for any signs that a piece of it might still be in your vagina. If you can’t find or remove the tampon, or you think there might still be some pieces in your vagina, see a doctor right away to have it removed.
If you have a lost or stuck tampon, it’s not really stuck, it’s just high in your vagina and it may be squished sideways, making it hard to reach. This is most common if you accidentally forgot to take out a tampon before inserting a new one, or if you had sex without remembering to remove your tampon first. 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.
It is important to note that toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is the most serious potential complication of having a tampon stuck in the vagina. It is also very rare. Although many people may mistakenly think that leaving tampons in for too long can cause TSS, tampons However, using tampons with a higher absorbency than necessary or leaving them in for too long can increase the likelihood of the growth of bacteria that can cause TSS. The symptoms of TSS include fever, nausea, a sore throat, vomiting, feeling faint, and more. If you have a stuck tampon with any of these symptoms, seek emergency treatment right away.
