Tampon tore, maybe - how worried should I be?

August 13, 2021 4:30 PM

When I removed a tampon today it was kind of split in the middle and a tiny part at the top (maybe 0.5 cm?) looked like it was missing. How likely is it that there's a piece of tampon floating inside me just waiting to kill me via TSS? Should I be going to the doctor ASAP? (Noting, of course, that YANMD)

(This is a bit of a one-off issue since I almost never use tampons. I used to use them all the time in my 20s but I kinda hate them (hello, this question) so I migrated to period panties many years ago. I made an exception today to go swimming but now I am supremely annoyed).

I hopped in the shower and felt around inside but couldn't find anything. For good measure, I checked again by squatting and using some lube to really feel around. Still nada.

I've also seen questions about accidentally leaving tampons in for days, but at least you can fully remove them once you've realized. I'm more concerned that there's a small chunk of the tampon hidden away somewhere, but how likely is that when I've done two thorough self-searches? I'd prefer not to have to go to my gyno (she moved offices and is kind of far away) but I will, of course, if necessary. Would you head to the doc/walk-in? Is monitoring for TSS symptoms sufficient? Is monitoring for TSS symptoms overkill, even? Thanks!

posted by xiasanlan to Human Relations (13 answers total)

Any chance you could call your provider and get their read on the situation?

Does your insurance offer a 24h nurse's advice line? If nothing else they can walk you through what to watch for regarding TSS and how much it is/isn't a concern nowdays...
(For some reason I thought it was way less likely now than prior but don't recall why/source, so I wouldn't trust that hunch/guess.)
posted by esoteric things at 4:38 PM on August 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

Torn tampon can get kinda shoved up against the cervix in ways that make it surprisingly hard to feel. If it stays there it can become a breeding ground for a (different) population of microorganisms, which you may detect by odor or other symptoms similar to bacterial vaginosis. I can't speak to the urgency of the issue, but removing the offending material before it becomes completely nauseating is important beyond TSS risk.
posted by deludingmyself at 5:09 PM on August 13, 2021 [3 favorites]

I wouldn't necessarily trust your self-examination. During a gyno appointment the doctor found a third of a tampon in me. Apparently it was . . . not new. I didn't die from TSS obviously but I learned a lesson about the limits of my awareness of things in my vagina. I would go to a walk-in clinic if they had speculums and could fully check the situation out (I don't know why they wouldn't, but worth checking?), otherwise I'd call the gyno.
posted by socks_for_all at 5:11 PM on August 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

There are a number of tampon brands that are very sloppily sewn and so an area that looks like it's missing could simply be just sloppy sewing. I'd feel very confident that there's nothing hiding after doing the sweep for a possible piece that you did. I also have used a cervical cap for years, so maybe I'm more used to reaching in pretty far and feeling around my cervix. Bearing down hard will also improve your ability to feel deeper. I think any risk of TSS would be vanishingly small even if there was a piece the size you described in you. If there is a piece, I'd expect it to make its way out on its own, especially if you're still menstruating. I personally wouldn't worry about this and wouldn't feel like it's urgent that I see my gyn.
posted by quince at 5:15 PM on August 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

If there is a piece, I'd expect it to make its way out on its own, especially if you're still menstruating.

You absolutely cannot make this assumption. Things get stuck in there very easily, especially if they are small. Menstrual flow is not strong enough to push items out of a tight flesh canal.
posted by socks_for_all at 6:11 PM on August 13, 2021 [3 favorites]

You could try douching with plain water after your period ends, perhaps squatting in a plugged bathtub to be able to see what comes out.

But in your position I might make a gyno appointment and ask them to take a look.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:47 PM on August 13, 2021 [3 favorites]

Just to double check - do you have another tampon you can open / soak in water and compare the shape? I’ve had some that are a v-shape on top because of how they are folded together.

Otherwise a quick planned parenthood or walk in can check for you.
posted by Crystalinne at 8:10 PM on August 13, 2021 [11 favorites]

What specifically made it look like a piece was missing at the top?

I wouldn’t necessarily worry about the tampon looking “split open” — most tampon brands I’ve used expand into sort of a wing shape when saturated and tend to look split-open — it’s normal. I agree with the suggestion above to take another tampon of the same kind and soak it in water to see how it looks.
posted by mekily at 9:42 PM on August 13, 2021 [2 favorites]

For future swimming needs, perhaps a menatrual cup?

I definitely would get this checked out, as annoying as dealing with vagina health can be sometimes.
posted by freethefeet at 10:40 PM on August 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

I’m an NP (TINMA, etc.) and have removed lots of retained tampons. Hard to say from your description whether the tampon tore (generally they don’t, unless fairly dry?) but I’d ring your PCP/gyn/Planned Parenthood/etc and ask them to take a look. Should be a quick speculum exam and put your mind at rest (and/or remove any retained tampon bits). Take care and good luck.
posted by stillmoving at 11:18 PM on August 13, 2021 [5 favorites]

Another suggestion for future swims is a menstrual disc like flexdisc or softdisc. (They are like magic, IMO.) Where tampons are always uncomfortable no matter how perfectly used, it's like the disc doesn't exist.
posted by stormyteal at 12:30 AM on August 14, 2021

What shape is the presumed missing part? Some tampons expand into a shape that looks like it’s missing a triangle at the top, but that’s just their shape. Google image searching “expanded tampon shape” will give some examples (or you can soak & take apart a new one from the package you have…)
posted by needs more cowbell at 3:43 AM on August 14, 2021

For medical assistance, in many areas now, agencies provide Urgent Care in your home, for the same fee as going to an Urgent Care facility. A nurse-practitioner might be available to come to your home and examine you. Do a google search, see what's available in your area. Good luck to you.
posted by ragtimepiano at 11:16 AM on August 14, 2021