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 has been in your body for more than 8 hours — you should get help from a healthcare professional.
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.
For many, tampons are a convenient and easy way to absorb blood during a period. 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 a tampon can’t get lost inside your body, and most stuck tampons can be removed safely on your own. And if you can’t remove it, a medical professional 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 it can feel stuck. This can happen for a few reasons:
The string is tucked up inside your vagina.
The tampon gets squished up at the top of the vagina.
Your vaginal muscles are tense.
This doesn’t mean it’s actually stuck: It just means it may take a little more effort to reach with your fingers or to pull it out. 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 closed space that ends at the cervix. On the other side of your cervix is the uterus. The opening in the cervix is too small for a tampon to pass through. So there’s no way for a tampon to get lost inside your body.
How to safely remove a stuck tampon
Most of the time, you can safely remove a stuck tampon on your own. Take your time. This may take a few minutes.
Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Wash your hands.
Step 2: Make sure you’re in a comfortable position. Try sitting on the toilet, squatting, or standing with one leg up on the bath or a stool.
Step 3: 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.
Step 3: If the tampon hasn’t emerged, you’ll need to reach inside your vagina. Insert a finger into your vagina and move it around in a circle. Try to locate the string or the tampon itself. If you can feel the tampon or string, gently pull it out.
Step 4: If your vagina feels dry, using a small amount of water-based lubricant may make it easier to reach and remove the tampon.
Step 5: 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 tools like tweezers or anything sharp. This can cause injury or infection.
Still having trouble? If you can’t remove the tampon, you may need to see a healthcare professional — 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.
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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 there are some situations where you’ll need to seek medical help:
It has been over 8 hours and you can’t remove the tampon.
You can’t feel the tampon at all.
You think part of the tampon is left behind.
Also, you should get help if you have symptoms like:
Itching
An unpleasant smell
Unusual vaginal discharge
Abdominal or pelvic pain
Pain when you urinate
A high temperature
These could all be signs of an infection or another problem that might need medical attention.
And, if you think you could have symptoms of TSS, you should go to the emergency room right away. TSS is a medical emergency.
Frequently asked questions
If you think part of a tampon is still inside your vagina, try to remove it the same way you would a whole tampon. Gently insert a clean finger and feel around for it. Don’t ever use tweezers or any other kind of tool.
If you can’t find the piece, or you can’t remove it, or you’re not sure it’s fully out, it’s best to get help from a medical professional. They can quickly take a look and safely remove anything that’s left. Leaving tampon material inside can increase your risk of irritation or infection. And it’s unlikely to come out on its own.
Yes. A gynecologist, midwife, or primary care provider can easily remove a stuck tampon during a quick office visit. They use a speculum to see inside the vagina and remove the tampon with sterile medical instruments. The process is usually fast and shouldn’t be painful, though it may feel a bit uncomfortable.
Sometimes. But if you can’t get it out with your fingers following the steps above, it’s not likely to come out on its own. You also don’t want to wait too long. If a tampon has been in place for more than 8 hours, and you can’t get it out, it’s best to get medical help. Leaving a tampon in for longer increases the risk of pain and infection.
If you think part of a tampon is still inside your vagina, try to remove it the same way you would a whole tampon. Gently insert a clean finger and feel around for it. Don’t ever use tweezers or any other kind of tool.
If you can’t find the piece, or you can’t remove it, or you’re not sure it’s fully out, it’s best to get help from a medical professional. They can quickly take a look and safely remove anything that’s left. Leaving tampon material inside can increase your risk of irritation or infection. And it’s unlikely to come out on its own.
Yes. A gynecologist, midwife, or primary care provider can easily remove a stuck tampon during a quick office visit. They use a speculum to see inside the vagina and remove the tampon with sterile medical instruments. The process is usually fast and shouldn’t be painful, though it may feel a bit uncomfortable.
Sometimes. But if you can’t get it out with your fingers following the steps above, it’s not likely to come out on its own. You also don’t want to wait too long. If a tampon has been in place for more than 8 hours, and you can’t get it out, it’s best to get medical help. Leaving a tampon in for longer increases the risk of pain and infection.
The bottom line
If you can’t get a stuck tampon out, seeing a healthcare professional is quick and routine — and it’s nothing to feel embarrassed about. It’s especially important to get help if the tampon has been in for more than 8 hours. Leaving it in too long can lead to odor, discomfort, or infection, including toxic shock syndrome.
Why trust our experts?
References
Healthychildren.org. (2025). Toxic shock syndrome. American Academy of Pediatrics.
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. (2025). The facts on tampons—and how to use them safely.
