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What if I forget to remove my tampon?

If you forget to remove your tampon (for example, at the end of your period), it can become compressed at the top of your vagina.

This can make it difficult for you to feel the tampon or pull it out.

Do not panic if a tampon gets stuck inside you. It's not possible for a tampon to get lost inside you and it will stay in your vagina after you've inserted it.

How to remove a stuck tampon yourself

Try using your fingers to gently grab the string of the tampon or the tampon itself.

Make sure you wash your hands before you try to remove the tampon.

Do not try to remove the tampon yourself if you:

  • notice an unpleasant smell or vaginal discharge
  • have pelvic pain or tummy pain
  • have pain when you pee
  • have a high temperature
  • have itching, swelling or redness around your vagina – the redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin

When to get medical help

Go to your GP surgery or your nearest sexual health clinic as soon as possible if:

  • you have any of these symptoms
  • you cannot get the tampon out
  • you think pieces of the tampon might still be in your vagina

Healthcare staff there should be able to remove it for you, but if this is not possible, they’ll send you to hospital to get it removed. You may also need treatment if you have an infection.

If you cannot get to your GP or a sexual health clinic, call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Tampon manufacturers advise that a tampon should not be left in for more than 8 hours.

Occasionally, a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection called toxic shock syndrome has been linked to women using tampons.

Further information

Page last reviewed: 4 October 2022
Next review due: 4 October 2025