Tampon Won't Come Out?Getting Help

If a tampon will not come out, seek help from a GP practice or sexual health clinic as soon as possible. Healthcare staff can remove it. Collingwood Health Group¹ advises calling NHS² 111 if you cannot access those services; outside the UK, contact your local urgent medical advice service.¹

Should I wait for a smell or other symptoms?

Arrange help because the tampon cannot be removed. Collingwood’s advice is to seek care as soon as possible; unpleasant smell or discharge, pelvic pain or fever make quick removal particularly important.¹

You may feel embarrassed about explaining what happened. A useful opening is: “I have a tampon that I cannot remove. I need advice about where I can be seen.” Say when you think it was inserted and describe any symptoms you have noticed.

Can it get lost elsewhere inside me?

A tampon stays in the vagina. If forgotten, it can become compressed high in the vagina, making it difficult to feel or pull out. That difficulty is a reason to ask for help.¹

Keep the appointment or advice call focused on the problem you are having. You do not need to know exactly where the tampon is before explaining that you cannot remove it.

What if I also feel unwell?

Toxic shock syndrome can develop quickly and needs urgent treatment. Seek urgent medical help for possible symptoms such as a high temperature, shivering with muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhoea, severe body or limb pain, or a rough rash. Report tampon use. If you cannot remove it, tell the service that too.²

Use the emergency instructions at the start of this article for the severe signs listed there. Tell the person arranging care about a change in how you feel while you are waiting.

What should I say when arranging care?

Have the details you know ready:

• That the tampon will not come out.
• When you think it was inserted, and whether that time is uncertain.
• Any pain, discharge, smell, fever or other symptoms.
• Whether you have already spoken with a service and what it advised.

Ask where to go and how soon you should be seen. If the suggested service is closed or you cannot reach it, explain that when seeking urgent advice so you can get a practical next step.

What happens after removal?

Ask the clinician whether you need any further assessment and which symptoms should prompt another call. Keep those instructions with the contact details. Describe any continuing symptoms rather than assuming that removal answers every concern.

Period, Handled includes a Flag It list and visit script. Use the script to organize questions after you have arranged the care you need. See the book.