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Glam Journal

Will a lost tampon eventually come out on its own

Author

Ava White

Updated on April 29, 2026

Having a tampon stuck in the vagina can be very uncomfortable, both physically and emotionally, but it is not a rare problem. In most cases, the person can remove a retained tampon on their own, but when this is not possible, a doctor can help.

Will a stuck tampon come out eventually?

No tampon is not going to go drifting off around your body. However, if you think you have one missing, it will need to be removed pretty sharpish. One of the main worries can be contracting Toxic Shock Syndrome which is linked to – but not exclusive to – leaving a tampon in for longer than recommended.

What does a lost tampon smell like?

You might be able to control such odors by changing pads and tampons frequently, especially during heavy-flow days. A “rotten” smell can occur when a tampon is left in for too long or forgotten. This can happen at the end of a period, when you don’t have to insert a new tampon as often and you have no further bleeding.

How long can a lost tampon stay in?

Tampon manufacturers advise that a tampon shouldn’t be left in for more than 8 hours. It’s particularly important to get the tampon removed quickly if you: notice an unpleasant smell or vaginal discharge. have pelvic pain.

What happens if a tampon is left in for a week?

“In general, if you leave a tampon in for too long it can create a breeding ground for bacteria and can increase risk of yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis or possibly TSS,” Shepherd said. “For some women it comes down to a hygienic issue of making sure you change as often as possible.”

Can you push a tampon too far up?

I have great news for you: You can’t put a tampon “too far” in! And a tampon can’t get lost inside you, either. … If your tampon doesn’t have a string, you’ll be able to reach it easily. So don’t panic about your tampon getting lost in your nether regions — It’s not physically possible!

How do you know if you accidentally put two tampons in?

Most people might not know, according to Dr. Bhuyan, that because the vaginal canal is a collapsed, closed space, if you put a second tampon in, all you’re doing is pushing that first one towards the back of the canal. “One will just get pushed back up into the canal and the string might be hard to reach,” she says.

How do doctors take out a stuck tampon?

“Usually you can easily see the tampon lodged in there, then it can be simply removed with sponge forceps.” The tampon may be centrally positioned in front of your cervix, or it may be squashed in one or other side of the cervix, called the vaginal fornix. “We might take a swab at this point.