What to Do If a Tampon Gets Stuck
Key takeaways:
Tampons can sometimes feel “stuck” or be hard to remove.
Most of the time, you can safely remove a stuck tampon on your own at home.
If you can’t remove your tampon — and it’s been in your body for more than 8 hours — you should get help from a healthcare provider.
Leaving a tampon in your body for too long can cause odor, discharge, and discomfort. It can also put you at risk for infection, including toxic shock syndrome.
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Tampons can be a handy way to absorb blood during your period. For many, they’re convenient and easy to use. But once in a while, a tampon can get “stuck” and be hard to remove.
It can be stressful to have a tampon get stuck. But with a little patience, you can safely remove a stuck tampon on your own. And if you can’t, your healthcare provider will be able to help. Though tampons are generally safe to use, leaving them in your vagina for too long puts you at risk for uncomfortable symptoms and infections.
How do tampons get stuck?
Once inserted, a tampon fits snugly into your vagina. It has a string attached that hangs outside of your body. When you’re ready to remove your tampon, you pull gently on the string — and out comes the tampon.
But sometimes the string can get pushed up into your vagina. Or the tampon itself can get squished up at the top of your vagina near your cervix. Both of these things can make it harder for you to feel the tampon with your fingers, or to pull it out. This can make it feel like the tampon is “stuck” inside of your body. But don’t worry. A tampon can’t get permanently stuck.
Can a tampon ever get lost inside of your body?
No. Your vagina is a short tube inside your body. It starts at the outside of your genitals (your labia) and ends at your cervix. On the other side of your cervix is the uterus.
Your cervix has a small hole that lets menstrual blood out, and semen in. This hole can get bigger sometimes, like when a woman has a baby — but normally, it’s only about the size of an ear piercing hole. In other words, the hole is way too small for a tampon to get through.
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Bottom line? There’s no way for a tampon to get lost inside of your body.
How to safely remove a stuck tampon
Most of the time, you can safely remove a stuck tampon on your own.
Here’s what to do:
First, wash your hands and make sure you’re in a comfortable position.
Try to gently “bear down” like you’re having a bowel movement. In some cases, this might be enough to make the tampon come out.
If the tampon hasn’t emerged, you will need to reach inside your vagina. Insert a finger into your vagina and sweep it in a circle. Try to locate the string or the tampon itself. If you can feel the tampon or string, gently pull it out.
Once you remove the tampon, check it to make sure it’s intact. In other words, make sure there aren’t any tampon pieces left inside.
And keep in mind: Use only your fingers to remove the tampon. Don’t use tweezers or other objects, as this can increase your chances of infection or injury.
Still having trouble? If you can’t remove the tampon you may need to see a healthcare provider, especially if the tampon has been in your body for more than 8 hours.
What can happen if a tampon gets stuck?
A tampon should only stay in your body for 4 to 8 hours. And if a tampon gets stuck, or you forget it’s in there, it might end up staying in your body for too long.
Leaving a tampon in for longer periods of time can cause symptoms like vaginal odor, discomfort, and discharge. It can also give bacteria more time to grow on the tampon and put you at risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
What is toxic shock syndrome?
TSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection that’s linked to tampon use.
Symptoms of TSS include:
High fever
Sunburn-like skin rash
Headache
Sore throat
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Fatigue and body aches
Red eyes
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Confusion
TSS can also lead to other serious health problems, like low blood pressure, internal bleeding, and septic shock.
When to talk to a doctor about a stuck tampon
Most of the time, you can remove a stuck tampon on your own. But if you can’t reach the tampon — or aren’t sure that you got the whole tampon out — it’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider.
It’s also a good idea to talk to your provider if you notice any other symptoms, such as:
Swelling, redness, or itching
An unpleasant smell
Unusual vaginal discharge
Abdominal or pelvic pain
Pain when you go to the bathroom
A high temperature
These could all be signs of an infection or other problem that might need medical attention.
If you’re worried you have any symptoms of TSS, you should go to the emergency room right away. TSS is a medical emergency.
The bottom line
If you use tampons, you might have one get stuck at some point. But if that happens: Don’t panic. Most of the time, you can remove a stuck tampon on your own.
If you can’t get the tampon out, you’ll need to see a healthcare provider for help, especially if the tampon has been in your body for longer than 8 hours. Leaving a tampon in for too long can put you at risk for irritation and infection, including a serious health condition called toxic shock syndrome.
Why trust our experts?
References
Familydoctor.org. (2019). Toxic shock syndrome. American Academy of Family Physicians.
Healthychildren.org. (2015). Toxic shock syndrome. American Academy of Pediatrics.
National Health Service. (2022). What if I forget to remove my tampon?
Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). What are the parts of the female sexual anatomy?
Planned PArenthood. (2022). Cervical health 101: Exploring your cervix for health and pleasure.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). The facts on tampons—and how to use them safely.
