Remove a Tampon

Wearing a tampon is an easy way to have your period and continue swimming, playing sports, or just be more comfortable. Read on to learn when and how to remove a tampon with ease.

Steps

Knowing When to Change Your Tampon

1. Remove your tampon if you've been wearing it for 8 hours. Tampons can be worn safely for up to 8 hours and then must be changed. Leaving a tampon in any longer puts you at a higher risk for infection for Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but potentially deadly infection.
   • If you try to change your tampon after 8 hours and it still has a lot of absorbency or only has a little blood on it, try switching to a lower absorbency tampon. Always wear the tampon with the lowest possible absorbency for your flow.
2. Change your tampon if you feel any wetness. This means your tampon is no longer absorbing the blood and it is leaking.
   • Wear a thin panty-liner if you are worried about your tampon leaking.
3. Check your tampon if it feels uncomfortable. If your tampon is inserted correctly, you should not be able to tell it is there. If you can feel something, it means the tampon is too low. With clean hands, use one finger to push the tampon further up into your vagina.
   • If the tampon won't move or it is painful to push, your vagina is too dry and you should remove the tampon and start over. You may want to try a tampon with a lower absorbency.
4. Change your tampon if you tug on the string and it slides out easily. You should give the string a little experimental pull every time you go to the bathroom. If the tampon comes right out, then it's time to change.
5. Change your tampon if there is blood on the string. Even if the tampon itself isn't fully saturated or doesn't slide out easily, if the string is bloody it means the tampon was about to leak.
6. Check for symptoms of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome). Remove your tampon and seek medical help if you have: a sudden, high fever (usually 102°F or more); a red rash that looks like a sunburn anywhere on your body; feel dizzy or faint when standing up; or if you experience vomiting or diarrhea. These are symptoms of TSS. While it is rare, TSS can be deadly and these symptoms should be taken seriously.

Removing Your Tampon

1. Sit on the toilet with your legs spread. Sitting over the toilet reduces any possible mess.
2. Relax. Removing a tampon should not be painful. If you are nervous, take a deep breath and distract yourself by reading a magazine. Do not clench your vaginal muscles.
   • If you can't relax, try to pee a little. This may relax the muscles enough to allow you to remove the tampon easily.
3. Pull the string at the end of the tampon. The tampon should slide out easily, with little or no resistance.
   • If the tampon does not come out easily or it is painful to remove, it may not need to be changed. Unless it's been 8 hours (in which case you should try the peeing trick to ease its removal), leave the tampon in another hour or two and then check it.
   • If you remove the tampon after 4-8 hours and there is very little blood, you may want to switch to a lower absorbency tampon or use panty liners instead.
4. Once removed, wrap the tampon in toilet paper and place in the garbage. Some companies claim their tampons are safe to flush, but it's generally not a good idea. Tampons will eventually break down, but not quickly enough that they won't expand and clog your pipes, destroy your septic tank, and cause a lot of (expensive!) plumbing problems.

Removing a Tampon with No String

1. Don't panic. It is impossible for a tampon to get "lost" in your body if the string breaks or you can't find it.
2. Wash your hands and make sure your nails aren't jagged or sharp.
3. Get into the position you would normally be in when inserting a tampon (sitting over the toilet, squatting, or standing with one leg on the toilet seat. Take a deep breath and try to relax.
4. Insert your pointer finger into your vagina and feel for the tampon. Make circular and back and forth movements until you feel the tampon. It may be turned to the side or pushed up to the top of the vaginal canal, near the cervix and behind your bladder.
5. Insert two fingers, trapping the tampon between them, and pull it out.
   • If you cannot feel the tampon or have trouble removing it, trying sitting on the toilet and pushing as though you are trying to push out a baby or go poop.

Tips

• Don't flush it down the toilet. It can get clogged.
• Need help? Don't be afraid to ask a parent or friend.
• Try taking out the tampon in the way you had put it in, it will to reduce pain.
• If the tampon is dry, take it out after eight hours. If it's "wet", it should come out easily.

Warnings

• Make sure to use the right tampon absorbency according to your flow. If your flow is light and you are using a Super-Duty tampon it will not become full and can result in vaginal tearing which leads to to toxic shock syndrome.
• TSS- toxic shock syndrome. This is extremely rare but is very serious. It is an illness which occurs when a tampon is being used for a long period of time. Make sure you change it every 8 hours!

Related Articles

• Dispose of Tampons
• Avoid Peeing on the Tampon String
• Use a Tampon
• Insert a Tampon when You're Nervous

Sources and Citations

See also

• Use a Tampon
• Insert a Tampon for the First Time
• Use a Tampon Painlessly
• Insert a Tampon Without Applicator
• Ask for Permission to Use Tampons
• Know when You're Ready to Start Using a Tampon
• Remove a Stuck Tampon
• Dispose of Tampons
• Avoid Peeing on the Tampon String
• Get Your Mom to Let You Use Tampons

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What links here

• Use a Tampon
• Insert a Tampon for the First Time
• Have Good Hygiene (Girls)