Stuck Tampon? Here’s How To Remove It – Cleveland Clinic

Tampons are popular because they’re easy to use and allow you to go about your normal life while you’re on your period. But every now and then a tampon causes problems.

Maybe you forgot you had one in, so you inserted a second tampon without removing the first. Or maybe you had sex and didn’t even think to take out your tampon before you got busy. Anyway, that little piece of cotton is stuck inside you somewhere now – and you’re probably freaking out.

Good news: this dilemma is more common than you might think, and it’s pretty easy to fix. Certified Nurse Sara Youngblood, CNP, explains how a tampon gets stuck, what to do to remove it, and when to seek help from a healthcare provider.

Can a tampon get lost?

First, some reassurance: there is absolutely no way you can lose a tampon inside your body. It can get stuck in your vaginal canal, but it can’t go any further.

That’s because your vagina is something of a dead end. You insert a tampon into your vaginal canal, which is only a few inches long, and that’s where the road ends. At the back of your vaginal wall is your cervix, which acts as a barrier between your vagina and uterus. And the cervix isn’t just a “do not enter” sign for tampons to sneak past — it’s more of an impenetrable wall.

“The opening to the cervix isn’t even close to big enough to insert a tampon into the uterus,” Youngblood explains. “Based on the physiological components of the reproductive system, there is no physical way for a tampon to get through your vaginal canal and into the rest of your body.”

How does a tampon get stuck?

Although tampons can’t go any further than your vagina, they can to lodge there. Your vaginal canal is only three or four inches long, but sometimes a tampon can get stuck out of your reach.

If you accidentally have sex with a tampon, or if you insert a second tampon without removing the first one, it can be pushed up into your vaginal canal where it can be squeezed or inverted. And if you lose sight of the cord, removing it can get a little tricky.

“It may not be easy to find or remove a tampon,” says Youngblood, “but there is always a way to get it out.”

Does it ever come out on its own?

A tampon that’s lodged in your vagina is unlikely to come out on its own, so it’s important that you take steps to remove it.

“Leaving it in or not knowing you have a retained tampon can lead to serious health problems,” Youngblood warns. Wearing the same tampon for more than eight hours can result in:

How to remove a stuck tampon

First things first: take a deep breath and try not to panic. Although you may not be used to poking around in your body, this is the best method for removing a tampon that’s lodged a little too far north.

“Insert a finger or two inside your vagina and feel around gently to see if you can find the string or the actual tampon itself to pull it out,” Youngblood instructs. Try using your ring finger, your middle finger, or both at the same time so you can reach as deep into your vaginal canal as possible.

Here are some other tips for safely retrieving a retained tampon:

1. wash your hands Before you dig around in there, wash your hands with soap and water. This prevents you from introducing new germs into your vagina.
2. Trim your nails. If you have long or jagged fingernails, trim or file them before you begin so you don’t scratch the inside of your vagina.
3. Try to relax. When you’re stressed, you may unknowingly tighten your muscles – and your vaginal canal is full of muscles. The straining or clenching down there can make it harder to remove a jammed tampon.
4. Fingers only! Never use any other tool or object to remove a stuck tampon. This can lead to injury, infection, or both.
5. Change positions as needed. If you can’t grab the tampon to remove it, change your posture. Some positions may give you better access than others. So experiment with sitting, crouching, lying down, or putting one leg up on the side of the bath or toilet.

When to the doctor

“If you can’t get a stuck tampon out on your own, it’s time to see a doctor to help remove it,” says Youngblood.

Call your GP or OB/GYN and if they can’t accommodate you they may refer you to emergency care or express care where you can be seen more quickly. Typically, a healthcare provider can easily remove a stuck tampon with their fingers or a small forceps. It might be uncomfortable, but it probably won’t hurt — much like the average pelvic exam.

And while you’re instinctively embarrassed to ask for help removing a stuck tampon, try to remind yourself: you’re not the first person this has happened to, and you won’t be the last. Your healthcare providers have seen this before, and they are there to help you, not to judge you. Your health is more important than your pride!