Tampons can get “stuck” inside thevaginafor a number of reasons. The tampon string can break. You might slip a new tampon in without taking the old one out. Or you might forget to remove a tampon before sex. However it might happen, it can feel as if the tampon is out of reach or lost.
The simple fact is that you cannot “lose” a tampon in your vagina. What can happen is that the tampon has moved so far into the vaginal canal that it is hard to locate or grasp.
This article guides you through the delicate process of finding and removing a tampon that seems “stuck” or is hard to reach. It also explains when it is time to seek medical assistance.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Why You Can’t Find the String
It is possible for a tampon to move up to the top or back of the vagina. If this happens, you may not be able to see the string.
There are several reasons why this might occur:
The important thing to remember is that the tampon is not “lost.” It may have moved farther up into the vaginal canal but cannot go beyond thecervix(the tiny opening of theuterus, or womb).
Should You Sleep With a Tampon In?
How to Find the Tampon
If you cannot find the tampon string or think that the tampon is “stuck,” you can try bearing down like you would for a bowel movement. This helps contract the walls of the vagina and may propel the tampon closer to the opening where you can find the string.
If that doesn’t work you may be able to manually remove the tampon with two clean fingers.
Here’s how:
Take a Deep Breath and RelaxIt is important to relax before trying to manually remove a tampon. If you are tense, the vagina can tighten and make the process all the more difficult or painful.
Take a Deep Breath and Relax
It is important to relax before trying to manually remove a tampon. If you are tense, the vagina can tighten and make the process all the more difficult or painful.
What to Know About Tampon Safety
What to Do If You Can’t Find the Tampon
If you cannot get the tampon out after several tries, take a break, wait for a while, and give it another go. This gives your vaginal muscles time to relax. Trying too hard or prodding too aggressively can cause vaginal redness, swelling, and tenderness.
You can also try squatting, following the same steps described above. Squatting pushes the vagina into a more forward and downward position.
If you try all of these things and still cannot find or “unstick” the tampon, see yourgynecologist. The gynecologist can seat you on anexamination chairand remove the tampon with a small clamp used for surgical sponges. The procedure may be uncomfortable but should not cause pain.
Act Sooner Than LaterIt is not healthy for a tampon to stay in longer than eight hours. Doing so increases the risk of infection and a potentially life-threatening complication calledtoxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS occurs when certain bacteria, likeStaphylococcus aureus,release harmful toxins into the bloodstream which, in turn, trigger the overreaction of theimmune system.
Act Sooner Than Later
It is not healthy for a tampon to stay in longer than eight hours. Doing so increases the risk of infection and a potentially life-threatening complication calledtoxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS occurs when certain bacteria, likeStaphylococcus aureus,release harmful toxins into the bloodstream which, in turn, trigger the overreaction of theimmune system.
How to Avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome
Summary
You can’t lose a tampon inside your vagina. If a tampon moves to the top or back end of the vagina, you may lose sight of the strings, but the tampon is still there.
If a tampon is “stuck,” sit on a toilet with your knees apart and bear down as if you were peeing or having a bowel movement. You can then use two fingers to sweep inside the vagina until you find the string or the tampon.
If this doesn’t work, call your gynecologist to have the tampon removed. Leaving a tampon in too long can cause an infection and, in rare cases, a potentially deadly condition called toxic shock syndrome.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Carcio HA.Anatomy and physiology of the urinary and reproductive systems. In:Advanced Health Assessment of Women: Clinical Skills and Procedures (4th Edition). New York, NY: Springer; 2018. doi:10.1891/9780826124623.0001Vostral S.Toxic shock syndrome, tampons and laboratory standard–setting.CMAJ. 2017;189(20):E726-8. doi:10.1503/cmaj.161479
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Carcio HA.Anatomy and physiology of the urinary and reproductive systems. In:Advanced Health Assessment of Women: Clinical Skills and Procedures (4th Edition). New York, NY: Springer; 2018. doi:10.1891/9780826124623.0001Vostral S.Toxic shock syndrome, tampons and laboratory standard–setting.CMAJ. 2017;189(20):E726-8. doi:10.1503/cmaj.161479
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Carcio HA.Anatomy and physiology of the urinary and reproductive systems. In:Advanced Health Assessment of Women: Clinical Skills and Procedures (4th Edition). New York, NY: Springer; 2018. doi:10.1891/9780826124623.0001Vostral S.Toxic shock syndrome, tampons and laboratory standard–setting.CMAJ. 2017;189(20):E726-8. doi:10.1503/cmaj.161479
Carcio HA.Anatomy and physiology of the urinary and reproductive systems. In:Advanced Health Assessment of Women: Clinical Skills and Procedures (4th Edition). New York, NY: Springer; 2018. doi:10.1891/9780826124623.0001
Vostral S.Toxic shock syndrome, tampons and laboratory standard–setting.CMAJ. 2017;189(20):E726-8. doi:10.1503/cmaj.161479
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
