How Long Can You Leave a Tampon In?

May 06, 2021By GR0 Collaborator

When you’re on your period, you want the least amount of interruption to your schedule as possible. Repeated trips to the restroom to change your tampon can interrupt your work and take you out of social situations.

If you’re considering leaving a tampon in a little longer than you normally do, you should know there’s a risk associated with leaving it in too long.

We’ll talk about how long you can safely leave in a tampon, what can happen if you leave one in too long, and other options you have that let you stay in the game longer with less potty pit stops.

How Long Can You Leave a Tampon In?

For beginners, you might be wondering how to properly put in a tampon for the first time. Most tampons are designed to provide you safe coverage for four to six hours. You should never leave a tampon in more than eight hours. Why?

For starters, most tampons aren’t going to provide adequate coverage past the four to six hour mark if you’re wearing the correct size. As your tampon fills, it expands to allow more flow to be absorbed. Once it has been completely filled, it will not provide a barrier against leaks.

The second reason you’ll want to remove your tampon as soon as possible is to reduce your risk of infection. When you leave a tampon in for too long, you can create a breeding ground for bacteria. This bacteria can lead to mild irritation of your vagina and vulva to a more serious infection like bacterial vaginosis.

What Happens If I Leave a Tampon In Too Long?

We get it—life gets busy, and sometimes it’s easy to forget about a tampon. So, what happens if you leave one in too long? Leaving a tampon in for longer than the recommended eight hours can increase your risk of developing an infection or irritation. Other common issues include bacterial overgrowth, which can lead to an unpleasant odor, irritation, or infections like bacterial vaginosis.

If you’ve accidentally left your tampon in for a bit longer than usual, don’t panic. Remove it as soon as you remember, monitor how you feel, and if you notice any discomfort, unusual symptoms, or foul odors, reach out to your doctor. For peace of mind, setting a timer or reminder on your phone can help you remember when it’s time for a change.

What About Toxic Shock Syndrome?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by your older relative’s stories of toxic shock syndrome. Us too.

Although toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a real issue, it is highly unlikely that you will develop it. However, it’s important to know the facts.

TSS isn’t caused by tampon usage. It is caused by a particular strain of staphylococcus bacteria that exists on your skin and in your vagina naturally. Most of the time, this bacteria doesn’t cause any problems, but in rare cases, the bacteria can overgrow and release toxins that make you very sick.

While it is unlikely you’ll get TSS, you can reduce your risk even further by:

Using the lowest absorbency tampon possible.
Changing your tampon every 4-6 hours.
Switching between other forms of period care, like pads or a menstrual cup.

If you accidentally leave a tampon in too long, you’ll most likely be just fine. But if you do it repeatedly, you could risk a bacterial infection or messy situation.

Tampon Hygiene

No one wants to deal with a bacterial infection or risk a leak, and if you use tampons properly you won’t need to worry about either.

Here’s our quick guide to tampon usage that will tell you everything you need to know about using them the right way.

1. Pick the Right Kind

You might be surprised to learn that some tampons can contain ingredients that are unnatural and harsh on your body. In fact, when researchers tested several brands of tampons, they found levels of carcinogens and reproductive toxins.

At Rael, we think people have the right to safe, chemical-free period care that won’t disrupt your hormones or irritate your body.

We make our organic tampons from pure cotton without:

Dyes
Fragrances
BPA’s
Chemicals
Chlorine bleach

We think you should get more than just great protection with your period care products; you should get peace of mind.

2. Pick the Right Absorbency

One size never fits all when it comes to period protection, and when you’re selecting tampons, it is always a good idea to have a few different sizes on hand.

You’ll know you have the correct size when your tampon lasts for at least two hours and is easily removed. If your tampon feels uncomfortable when you try to remove it, you’re probably using an absorbency that is too high for your menstrual flow.

If you’re experiencing leaks after only an hour of wear, you’ll need a larger size for that day.

Keep in mind that your menstrual flow will change during your period, and the same tampon size that works the first day may not be the right fit on the last day of your period.

3. Know When to Change

Sometimes it’s easy to tell when it’s time to change your tampon, but sometimes it’s easy to forget about them (especially on light days).

Make sure you change your tampon every four to six hours, even on light days. If you decide to wear a tampon overnight, don’t keep it in for more than eight hours. We recommend using an alternate form of period care, like period underwear, for overnight protection.

4. Use Proper Vulvar Care Items

No matter how well you plan, sometimes your period causes sensitivity and irritation to your most sensitive areas. When this happens, you may experience some discomfort.

Rael has solutions that work, without the use of harsh ingredients that could make you feel worse. Our vulva care products help soothe your skin, keep you feeling confident, and put you back in the middle of your life with zero down time.

Natural, botanical extracts help gently cleanse and moisturize to keep you comfortable no matter what time of the month you experience irritation.

5. Use Other Methods of Period Care

If you’re a tampon purist you might not know about the most recent options in period care. There’s more available to you than simply a sanitary pad and tampon, and using other methods of period care along with your tampons can help ensure you aren’t wearing tampons longer than you should.

Can You Swim With a Tampon In?

Yes! One of the best things about tampons is their convenience during swimming. You can swim with a tampon in without worrying about leaks. Just make sure to use the right absorbency for your flow and change your tampon right after you finish swimming. Water won’t affect how your tampon works, but it’s a good idea to swap it out for a fresh one after being in the pool or ocean.

And no, tampons don’t fall out while swimming—your vaginal muscles keep it securely in place. If you feel any discomfort or leaking, it’s probably time to change your tampon for a fresh one.

Can I Pee With a Tampon In?

Absolutely! Your vagina and urethra (where pee comes out) are separate openings, so you don’t need to remove your tampon to pee. However, if you notice the string getting wet, you can gently hold it to the side or tuck it into your labia while you pee to keep it dry. If it does get wet, don’t worry—it’s perfectly safe. You can change your tampon if you feel uncomfortable, but it’s not necessary unless it’s time to do so.

When Should I Avoid Using a Tampon?

Tampons are great, but there are times when you might want to switch to a different period product. For example, if you’ve recently had surgery or given birth, it’s best to avoid using tampons until your doctor gives you the green light. Similarly, if you’re experiencing a vaginal infection, such as a yeast infection, it’s better to use pads or period underwear until the infection clears up. In these cases, tampons can trap moisture and bacteria, which could make things worse. Always listen to your body and consult with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.

Period Care Options That Work

You’ve got options, and you should know what they are and how they work. Switching up your coverage options isn’t just a good idea for making sure you don’t leave a tampon in too long, it can also give you coverage that is more effective for you during certain times, like overnight.

Pads

If you don’t like using a sanitary pad, we’re guessing you haven’t worn them in a while. Pads have come a long way, and they’re super absorbent without being bulky. Rael’s organic cotton cover pads offer superior protection in the form of organic cotton that will never irritate your skin.

We also offer reusable pads, which are a great option for keeping you dry and reducing your carbon footprint. Our reusable pads mean you always have period care items on hand, no matter when you start.

Liners

You may have tried pantyliners in the past, but our liners are designed to be ultra protective. Unlike some liners which can seem non-absorbent, our panty liners are made with organic cotton and designed to be ultra thin. You’ll literally never feel them.

Just like our pads, we offer a reusable option, which can help you save the environment while caring for your body. Caring for yourself and Mother Earth at the same time? That’s a win/win.

Period Panties

You’ve heard about them, but haven’t really considered them. Period panties are panties with an absorbent layer of fabric to help contain your flow. Period panties work great for lighter days, or for wearing overnight for added protection.

Rael’s period panties fit just like your regular intimates, are super comfortable, and are as absorbent as three tampons. Trust us, you’ll probably end up wearing them all month long.

If you’re more of a disposable period product person, our disposable, organic cotton period underwear are the perfect fit. A growing trend in Korea, disposable period underwear combines an overnight pad with period underwear for unbeatable overnight protection and comfort.

The Menstrual Cup

If changing your tampon in a timely manner is hard for you, we suggest the menstrual cup. The reusable menstrual cup is a small, silicone cup you insert in your vagina to handle your flow. It’s easy to use, completely leak-proof, and can be worn up to 12 hours at a time.

The cup can also be reused every month, which makes it incredibly cost effective. It’s quite literally the ultimate in luxury period care items.

It’s a game changing form of period care for people who want to minimize the time they spend changing their period product.

Intimidated about using one? We’ve got you covered. You can learn how to use one easily and effectively here.

Final Thoughts

You should always make sure you change your tampon every four to six hours and never wear a tampon longer than eight hours at a time. It’s a great idea to change up your period care items, and Rael has holistic, period products that keep you covered your entire period.

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