Losing a tampon in the vagina is not as absurd as it sounds. It really is a matter of accidentally not removing one you've put there.Maybe it got to be a late day of your period, or you changed during the night, and sleepiness took over. Tampons are designed to absorb a lot of moisture, although not as much as they actually used to absorb, and it's often not apparent for a long time that something is a bit amiss. In general the patients we see have no actual pain, and often they don't have much discharge, but complain most dramatically of odor. Occasionally there is a significant amount of discharge. The discharge usually turns dark brown, it can even be black. Actually our ability to normalize the bacteria in the vagina is so great that many physicians will just treat with removing the 'lost' or 'forgotten' tampon and often antibiotics aren't necessary unless the odor and discharge doesn't resolve for a few days. Serious side effects such as Toxic Shock Syndrome are very uncommon, and if no fever or pain this is highly unlikely to be the result even from a very long retained tampon.It's important to have your gyno do a vaginal exam if you suspect a retained tampon, as it is not always possible to detect it or remove it yourself.
Does this normally resolve itself with removal? I discovered and removed a retained tampon today that may have been in place for several days. The on-call doc seemed to think infection was unlikely to be an issue. It seems rather hard to believe.
ReplyDeleteIf a woman discovers a retained tampon herself and removes it, she does not necessarily have to do anything more than that. Even if the retained tampon had been in place for several days, there is not likely to be an infection. If at first you discover a slight odor the ability of the vagina to normalize the bacteria that live in the healthy ecosystem of that environment is very good and likely to just right itself. For those who have pain, irritation, persistent discharge, they should see their physician.
ReplyDeleteIf a physician does a pelvic exam and checks the cervix and see no tampon is that accurate or could they have missed seeing or feeling it?
ReplyDeleteIt is unlikely for experienced gynecologist to miss a tampon on exam, but of course it would be possible.
ReplyDeleteWhat if u have a retained tampon, discovered by characteristic odor and have an IUD in place? Once removed would you automatically do antibiotics ? Also do you need to remove the IUD?
ReplyDeleteWhat if u have a retained tampon, discovered by characteristic odor and have an IUD in place? Once removed would you automatically do antibiotics ? Also do you need to remove the IUD?
ReplyDeleteIn most cases a retained tampon will not cause infection. If you have pain, discharge, bleeding, odor that is abnormal, you should see a gynecologist to determine if a retained tampon caused an infection. Women with IUDs and treatable infections do not have to have the IUD removed in most cases, but your health care provider will have to determine if this will need to be removed.
ReplyDeleteI had this happen last week. doctor suspected a lost tampon may be the cause of my symptoms but I wasn't sure if there was one. She almost didn't find it and stopped looking. Saw it way back in there at the last second. I had a pretty nasty infection accompanied with all the symptoms, fever, back and abdominal pain, sore throat, fatigue, urinary issues and discharge. They gave me a shot at the hospital and put me on 2 100mg dycocycline per day and my infection was gone 2 days later.
ReplyDeletePelvic infections, even those caused by a retained tampon, can scar the fallopian tubes and the result of that scaring can be tubal pregnancies, chronic pain, or infertility. So in general, if an infection is even suspected the physicians generally recommend antibiotic treatment. Without an infection present, it may be reasonable to do testing and observation before treating with an antibiotic.
ReplyDeleteI recently took out a lost tampon but I am still bleeding a little and it has been the 9th day of my period. The tampon was in there for 2 days. This is not normal because my period usually lasts 4-6 days. What is happening and what should I do?
ReplyDeleteWomen who find a retained tampon and still have unusual odor, bleeding, pain, fever, or discharge should consult a gynecologist.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, I went to my OBGYN because of irregular/ prolonged vaginal bleeding. He did a trans vaginal ultrasound, and found nothing irregular. Today I discovered a retained tampon and removed it. I'm confused about how he missed it and I'm not sure if I should call to let his nurse know, to see if I need antibiotics. There was an odor, but no discharge, pain or fever.
ReplyDeleteI had a vaginal ultrasound done yesterday, and realized afterward that I forgot to take out my menstrual cup. I removed it when I got home, but am wondering if it's possible it went on a trip into my uterus with the probe, and if I should be worried about possible infection.
ReplyDeleteI maintain that any move to avoid pelvic examinations in patients is not clinically supported. It is relatively easy to insert a vaginal probe beyond a tampon, or menstrual cup, and thus it's not unheard of to miss that sort of finding. If you have new information for a physician, then yes you need to report it to your health care provider. Finding the menstrual cup should be reported. The cervical opening is very small, it is not possible for a menstrual cup to be in the uterus.
ReplyDeleteI have recently had a retained tampon removed by the doctor. This was 3 days ago. The smell isn't noticeable unless I actually feel around up there and smell my finger but it's still there - it doesn't seem to be as bad but I am just paranoid about how long it will take to go? I've been reading a lot of forums where people have said it's gone instantly. Is there anything I can do to neutralise it/help my body restore itself?
ReplyDeleteVaginal odor indicates infection or bacterial imbalance in most cases. If there is no pain, fever, or discharge, some women may safely observe, normalize their diet and health and see if this resolves. Otherwise you need to be seen by your gynecologist for evaluation.
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ReplyDeleteI just removed a tampon that has been inside of me since last month. It was very gray. I had no oder, or any other sign. Sex wasn't as good, but other than that I had no idea. There is no discharge or oder, but I never got my period this month, is that normal.
ReplyDeleteFor most women who discover they have inadvertently had a retained tampon, they can listen to their body to gauge whether they can not have a medical visit. If you have no abnormal symptoms at all, it is likely you did not incur an infection. It is important to remember that you cannot judge 'sub-clinical' infections on your own without an exam.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible for a retained tampon to be pushed into the cervix during intercourse? I had intercourse with my husband a few days ago and afterward I couldn't remember if I had a tampon in. He said he did not notice any, but I was the end of my period where it was light so I wasn't regularly using a tampon. I did self-check my vagina and not find anything. My cervix does feel a bit more open enough that I can put a finger tip in. I had no pain during intercourse and no pain now, but am worrying.
ReplyDeleteThe cervix of a woman is only open by less than the diameter of the very tip of a pen...usually a mm. Tampons are much larger, and therefore, geometrically, cannot fit into a cervical opening. There is no worry of inserting a tampon into the cervix.
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DeleteThank you. The opening of my cervix does seem bigger than the tip of a pen for sure...I have delivered 2 kids vaginally. I could fit a fingertip into the opening and it seemed fairly soft. I am not pregnant, have a merena iud and just had my period. So would this size of opening be normal?
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ReplyDeleteI put a tampon in around 8 pm and after 11 pm when I went to change it, the string had cooled up inside me and the tampon had gone a little far up. I eventually got the tampon out after it had been in for 4-5 hours. I'm a little sore and have nails that are a little long and I'm afraid I may have cause some small cuts or abrasions. Should I visit the doctor or am I safe? My concern is obviously infection or tss and I'm feeling very worried at the moment.
ReplyDeleteDischarge, bleeding (sometimes difficult to assess unless a cut can be visibly seen), odor or pain, that persists after a tampon is removed is a reason to seek medical care. This blog is designed to be informational. Seek your own physician's advise for current managment strategies.
ReplyDeleteI forgot a tampon... How no idea. Got weird period and spotting, then fatigue and lightheadedness, cramps. This morning, found a lost tampon... just pulled it out. I freaked as it smelled and got scared. I had a swab and urine clear but paranoid re: infection and if I should go straight on antibiotics? Only symptom now are abdominal cramps lasting last 3 days.
ReplyDeleteAfter removing lost tampon how long after did it take for the smell n discharge to go away
DeleteI just had the biggest scare of my life. And honestly know I'll get put down about this but just want to share my story to help others know all bodies and physicians are not the same. For months I had been having horrible pain and noticed a slight odor. I went to the e.r several times and was put through MULTIPLE test to only be called crazy and told I was only seeking pain meds. I even had a doctor ask if I had a tampon in I said no and he replied that on my CT scan they seen something abnormal but just released me without looking any further into it. I started to get chills and fevers along with constant irritating pain. After having intercourse the male told me something wasn't right and he had felt something inside of me. I automatically freaked out and went straight the e.r once again. Here the doctor finally did a pelvic exam and after looking for several minutes found a lodged tampon. The string had been wrapped around it so I would've never been able to notice it unless someone thoroughly had looked. I explained I had been to obgyn and everything was ruled out to be OK. Well thank goodness she found it and removed it. It was very hard to get out but OMG was it a relief. I don't know when or how it got lodged besides maybe falling asleep and forgetting all about it. I felt so embarrassed and disgusted but she reassured me it wasn't my fault and it's even happened to her. I was told it had been there for awhile and I'm lucky it didn't cause any serious issues. I was given antibiotics and sent home. I still feel disgusted about it but my pain is now gone and I am feeling better. So ladies if this happens don't put yourself down instead do what I'm doing and share your story to possibly help others.
ReplyDeleteWhether it is your pap smear year or not, visiting the gynecologist regularly is important. Many conditions are only found on examination. Thanks for sharing our stories with each other.
ReplyDeleteHi. I just had a tampon come out today after being left in for about 6-7 days. ( I KNEW it was in there but couldn't find it last week so I thought maybe I did take it out!!!) string must have broke off. I had abdominal discomfort last night with some nausea. Today the tampon fell out after an unpleasant odor was detected. The tampon appeared without a string was saturated appearing with some grey to it. Otherwise no other symptoms. Now just feel some lower abd discomfort Crampy. Could the string still be lodged in vagina?
ReplyDeleteSide note: new tampon brand I used never using again. First time this happend and
Hello,
ReplyDeleteStarted my period super late for August at the end of August (31st) to the beginning of September. Usually when I'm on my period, I do not like to have intercourse. However, my partner was hesitant and we did. I thought he you know pulled it out, but after talking he says No I thought you pulled it out. In my head, I thought well maybe it fell out on its own. Fast forward to last night, I woke up with period cramps and spotting. But I was releasing extra blood than the normal. I didn't notice any smell though. At work, I smelt it. I wondered what was different in this cycle. After curoisty I googled and stumped upon people leaving their tampons in and forgetting about them. Sure enough I stuck my finger in there and deep inside low and behold the source of the smell. I had been sick since Monday with a cold, headache, cough, sneezing No fever or rash. So should I still go to the doctor just to be safe????
For a week now i have been having this awful smell n brownish discharge n it seem to get worse during sex n today was worse so i have been doing alot of research and it said lost tampon n how to remove it. So i did exactly that n sure enough felt the lost tampon removed it myself n now wondering how low long will it take for the odor n discharge to go away please anyone i need answers
ReplyDeleteThe smell of a retained tampon should resolve fairly quickly after removal, it's the smell of infection that can actually last days. A medical exam can tell you if you have an infection, always safest to go to a provider to be seen rather than taking a chance with your health!
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