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.

Don’t panic if a tampon gets stuck inside of you. The vagina is, on average, only about 7.5-10cm (3-4 inches) deep, so the tampon won't go anywhere. Try using your fingers to grab the string of the tampon or the tampon itself. If this isn’t possible, ask someone you trust, such as your partner or a close friend, to try carefully grabbing it with tweezers.

When to get advice

Go to see your GP, or healthcare staff at your nearest sexual health clinic if you’ve left a tampon in and can't get it out. They will be able to remove it for you.

It's important to get the tampon removed quickly if you:

• notice an unpleasant smell or discharge
• have pelvic pain
• have a high temperature (fever)

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

Read more answers to questions about women’s health.

Further information:

• Can a tampon get lost inside me?
• How can I delay my period while on holiday?
• How soon can I use tampons after giving birth?
• Find sexual health services