How long can you leave a tampon in?

Wondering, how long can you leave a tampon in? And how long can you wear a tampon? The frequency of tampon replacement depends on the abundance of your menstruation. You should replace it if it fills up completely or within 6 hours of its insertion.

Table of content:

You can keep a tampon in for up to 6 hours. It's best to replace it every 4-6 hours, but it all depends on the amount of your bleeding. Remember that changing a tampon too often can affect its absorption capacity as it needs some moisture. In addition, changing tampons too often with poor bleeding can cause irritation. If the tampon is easy to remove or you notice that the tampon string is soaked with blood, it is a sign that it should be replaced as soon as possible.

If you’re worried about tampon timing because you’ve heard of Toxic Shock Syndrome, just know that how long you leave a tampon in for does not increase your risk of TSS. You can learn more about Toxic Shock Syndrome here.

It’s really important to choose the lowest absorbency necessary for your menstrual flow. And because your flow varies from day to day, it’s likely that you’ll need to use different absorbencies on different days of your period. Figuring out which absorbency you need can be confusing at first, but let’s make it easy – if your tampon is uncomfortable to change, go down a size. If your tampon leaks, go up a size. Check out this helpful guide to learn more about which tampon size and absorbency is best for you based on your period flow.

What happens if you leave a tampon in too long? Risks of leaving a tampon in too long occurs of irritation and even infection of the intimate area. A rare but serious complication can also be Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Leaving a tampon in too long can also cause:

• formation of inflammation with purulent discharge,
• unpleasant odor,
• itching, burning, pain,
• fever.

Leaving a tampon for a very long time means that blood cannot flow freely and micro-damage may also occur. This promotes the proliferation of bacteria that can cause toxic shock syndrome. If you observe symptoms of leaving a tampon in too long, see your doctor immediately:

• high fever,
• lowering blood pressure,
• diffuse blotchy rash,
• diarrhea or vomiting,
• muscle pains,
• peeling of the epidermis on the hands and feet,
• dizziness, confusion, disorientation.

These symptoms may suggest flu or another infection, but if you have left tampon in too long your body, be sure to see a doctor.

One of the greatest advantages of tampons is the fact that they provide full period protection no matter how active you are, so you don't have to give up on your activities at all. Tampax Pearl Compak Regular tampons have a practical applicator and are designed to fit your unique shape, thus protecting you against leaks even better.