A Gynecologist Busts 9  Common Myths About Tampons

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When it comes to your period, paying attention to your menstrual flow can pay off in several ways. Obviously, it can simplify your life to know when to expect your period and plan for having tampons on hand to help you manage it. 

Beyond convenience, knowing your flow is also important for your health. If your flow is too heavy, it can cause health problems, or it might signal a medical condition. And even knowing the right tampon sizes to use can have an impact on your health. No joke. 

There’s a lot to know about your period flow, so let’s go!


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There are three easy ways to earn donation points with the Always You App.

1. Earn up to 20 points each time you track your period or a bladder leak event.
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By: Dr. Melisa Holmes, OB-GYN, & Founder, Girlology

As a gynecologist, I love helping my patients understand their bodies and how they work. It’s important for us to educate ourselves and take charge of our health. Sometimes, in an effort to research an illness or health concern, we find unreliable sources online, and end up with information that’s not only wrong, but sometimes even dangerous. I’m glad you came to the right place.

When it comes to tampons, I’ve probably heard it all! So here are nine common myths I’ve heard over and over, and the medically accurate facts to bust them.

Do you know the truth about tampons? Let’s find out.Hello


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How do I use a Period Tracker?

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Simply input the length of your average period and the length of your last period, and let the period calculator do the rest. If you have no idea how long between your periods, make a note the next time it starts and when it ends so you have it on hand for next month.

You can also use a period tracker for way more than just predicting bleed week. Since ovulation usually occurs on the 14th day of your cycle (with Day 1 of your cycle being the first day you bleed), you can also learn and track peak ovulation.

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Menstrual cups can offer an eco-friendly alternative to tampons and pads with up to 12 hours of period leak protection. Learn how it works.

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Discover our Tampax Pearl Super Plus which have a smooth plastic applicator & are designed for heavier-flow days. Learn more and read reviews at Tampax.com!

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Find the basic can and can'ts when it comes to wearing a tampon. Can you shower with a tampon? Or go to the bathroom with a tampon? Get answers.

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Glad you asked. Basically, your body runs on a four-part “menstrual cycle” — and while you might assume that phrase means just the week of bleeding, in actuality, your menstrual cycle also refers to the weeks you don’t bleed.

You start with the menstrual cycle (your period, when the lining of your uterus sheds), followed by the follicular phase (when the follicles in your ovaries mature and get ready for the prime time: ovulation), then comes ovulation (when the egg is released), followed finally by the luteal phase (when the egg makes its way down your fallopian tubes and gets ready to bleed). Knowing this, you can track your period and your cycle.

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Can a tampon get lost in your body? What do you do if a tampon is stuck. Get the facts from gynecologist, Dr. Holmes.

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Your Flow is Different Every Day. 
Your Tampon size should be, too.

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Browse our Tampax Pearl Super tampons which have a smooth plastic applicator and are designed for heavy-flow days. Learn more and read reviews at Tampax.com!

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Toxic Shock Syndrome is a serious illness that can impact anyone. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Get tips for preventing TSS.

What Everyone Should Know About Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

 How Long Can You Leave a Tampon In?

As much as we love the Internet and all its cat memes, there is also a lot of misinformation floating around. Recently, we’ve seen those less-than-accurate “facts” popping up around tampons. Not cool, Internet. If you’re a first-time tampon user, curious about tampons, or even a period pro, sometimes it’s easy to get confused. You search something as simple as “can you shower with a tampon in” and there’s a very real chance you’re going to get some weird, definitely not true answers. A lot of people think they’re an expert, but in reality they might be spreading some very wrong info.

As legit experts, we here at Tampax thought it was time to clear up a few popular misconceptions by answering some of your most pressing period and tampon questions. If you’ve ever wondered things like does your period stop in the shower, or can you go to the bathroom with a tampon in, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Here are the most common tampon questions, answered by people who actually know what they’re talking about.


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# What Everyone Should Know about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

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## What is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
Toxic Shock Syndrome, also known as TSS, is a rare, but serious infection that is caused by a specific strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Interestingly, these bacteria are commonly found on the skin, in the nose, armpits, and vagina without causing any problems. However, under certain circumstances, especially when the body has not developed immunity to this strain of bacteria, it can grow out of control and release a toxin, which is like a poison. The toxin enters the blood stream and can rapidly cause a severe illness that affects the entire body (shock).
## Toxic Shock Syndrome is not caused by tampons.
Toxic Shock Syndrome is caused by bacteria, not tampons, specifically Staphylococcus aureus. In the 1980s, TSS became more well-known because it was associated with highly absorbent tampons (those highly absorbent tampons were quickly taken off the market). However, tampons aren’t required for TSS. You can get it while using pads or menstrual cups, or no period protection at all. Anyone can get TSS. Even men and children can get TSS, and only about half of TSS infections are related to menstruation. Some other ways people develop TSS include insect bites, skin infections, or surgery.
## It’s rare.
Fortunately, Toxic Shock Syndrome is rare. To put it in perspective, you are more likely to die from being struck by lightning than you are from Toxic Shock Syndrome There are also things you can do to reduce your risk further. In a lightning storm, we take cover and get out of swimming pools. Similarly, there are things you can do to reduce your risk for TSS (keep reading to learn more!).

## It’s treatable.
Fortunately, Toxic Shock Syndrome is rare. To put it in perspective, you are more likely to die from being struck by lightning than you are from Toxic Shock Syndrome There are also things you can do to reduce your risk further. In a lightning storm, we take cover and get out of swimming pools. Similarly, there are things you can do to reduce your risk for TSS (keep reading to learn more!). 

## Know the Toxic Shock Syndrome Symptoms
TSS can feel a lot like the flu, and symptoms can vary from person to person, but most commonly, the symptoms of TSS are:
-	High fever (over 102° F or 38.9° C)
-	Body or joint aches
-	Nausea and/or vomiting
-	Diarrhea
-	Dizziness or fainting or confusion
-	Sometimes there is a red rash

If you are using a tampon, and feel very ill with some of the symptoms above, it’s important to remove your tampon right away, get immediate medical attention, and tell the person you’re with or the healthcare provider you’re worried about Toxic Shock Syndrome.
## Reduce your risk
TSS is rare, but you can reduce your risk even more by following a few recommendations:
-	Always use the [lowest absorbency tampon that will manage your flow](/en-us/tampon-truths/best-tampons-sizes-for-heavy-light-flow/). If it hurts to remove after a few hours, go down a size.
-	Know the symptoms of TSS mentioned above, and get immediate medical attention if you are worried you may have it.
-	The risk of tampon-related TSS can also be reduced by interrupting tampon use with pads from time to time.
## Will organic tampons reduce my risk of TSS?
Nope. What you use is a personal choice, but the risk of getting Toxic Shock Syndrome is the same for organic or non-organic tampons and it’s also the same for cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. The only difference in tampons that can increase the risk for TSS is the absorbency. A higher absorbency tampon can increase the risk for TSS. A lower absorbency can have a lower risk. That’s why you should always use the lowest absorbency tampon that will control your flow – and it doesn’t matter if it’s organic or conventional.
## Is it possible to get TSS more than once?
Unfortunately, yes. If you’ve had tampon-related Toxic Shock Syndrome in the past, you should consult with your doctor before using tampons. Most doctors recommend no tampon use if you’ve had TSS before.
## How long can I wear a tampon safely and not get TSS?
There’s no exact answer for this one, but there are recommendations. The United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) which regulates tampons, states you should never wear a tampon more than eight hours for hygiene purposes. Most gynecologists also recommend you change your tampon every 4-8 hours for vaginal health reasons. We know that the risk of TSS increases with absorbency, and there is no precise time limit supported by research. It’s always healthiest and safest to use the smallest tampon that will manage your flow and change them regularly.
## Let’s Recap
I know that was a lot of information about Toxic Shock Syndrome, so here’s a quick review:
-	Toxic Shock Syndrome is a rare but serious infection
-	TSS is treatable, especially if it’s caught early
-	You can reduce your risk for TSS: 
-	Use the lowest absorbency tampon you can to manage your flow
-	 Break up your tampon use with pads. Know the symptoms! If you’re using a tampon and you experience any flu-like symptoms, take your tampon out and seek immediate medical attention, letting the medical professional know you’re worried you might have TSS

Now that you have the facts, you don’t need to be afraid. Tampax responsibly!


Let’s put this one to rest once and for all. You should only use a tampon for up to 8 hours. So, if you’re asking can you sleep with a tampon in, the short answer is yes. Your tampon doesn’t know if it’s day or night and will work the same while you sleep, just be sure to only use a tampon for up to 8 hours. Given that you may sleep for eight hours, when you’re about to hit the sheets and are planning to sleep with a tampon in, first be sure to put in a new one, and then remove the tampon as soon as you wake up. . 

If you’re super exhausted and think you’ll sleep longer than that, you should wear a pad instead. If you’re worried about tampon timing because you’ve heard of Toxic Shock Syndrome - know that how long you wear a tampon does not increase your risk of TSS. You can learn more about [Toxic Shock Syndrome here](/en-us/period-health/toxic-shock-syndrome-causes-treatment/).

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Is it bad to sleep with a tampon? Can a tampon get lost inside you? Get the medically accurate facts to these 9 common tampon questions.