The clock is ticking... How long should you keep a tampon in?

Period is period, and you have to live somehow… That is why each of us (except for people who decide to free bleed ) is looking for the best protection against stains on clothes and underwear. One option is a tampon .

Tampons are very comfortable sanitary products that absorb menstrual fluid . They are usually available in three sizes: mini (light), regular (normal) and super, sometimes you can also find tampons in super plus size. These sizes actually indicate the degree of absorbency .

Okay, that seems simple. But how long should you wear a tampon of a given size? After what time should you change your tampon to have peace of mind and not play with your health?

How many hours can you have (wear) a tampon inside?

You can have one tampon in for 4 to 6 hours, up to 8 hours. This is a safe time for the tampon to protect you without harming your health. After more than 8 hours, the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) increases .

This is a very serious disease caused by toxins produced mainly by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus . Although it occurs very rarely , it progresses quickly and is very serious - in extreme cases it can be life-threatening .

Tampon for 10 hours? Better not!

As we wrote earlier, a tampon should be worn for a maximum of 8 hours . Plan your changes so that you don't exceed this time (for example, change it right before going to bed). However, if you know that your sleep will be longer and you don't want to set an alarm clock - give up the tampon . However, if you have an unexpectedly long night - don't worry (if this is an exception to the rule). Just start your day with a visit to the toilet. Remember to change it, take care of your health, hygiene and comfort.

Also check out our articles: about peeing with a tampon and about used tampons and where to throw them away .

So how often should you change your tampons?

Tampons should be changed as needed. If you feel any wetness on the pad (if you have one) or your underwear, you probably missed the right moment. This means you need to reach for a more absorbent tampon (if possible) or increase the frequency of changing it .

How long do I wear a tampon? On the days when my period is heaviest , I check the string during each visit to the bathroom. Sometimes there are traces of blood after 2 hours (it usually depends on my activity). Then, of course, I change the tampon immediately. However, if after 6 hours of wearing the tampon the string is white, I still change the tampon to a new one to avoid holding it .

On the subject of tampons, I can give you some advice: if you know that you won't have access to a toilet for the next few hours, change the tampon at the last possible moment, so that it doesn't stay in your vagina for too long . So if you're going for a walk with a friend 3 hours after insertion, it's better to change the tampon for a new one - in case your legs carry you on the adventure of a lifetime. :)

Also check out our instructions on how to properly remove a tampon .

How long should you keep a tampon in when your period is lighter?

Same! Adjust the size of the tampon to the amount of your period, not the length of time you wear it . If you are partially removing the white tampon after 6 hours, you can reach for a smaller size or – if you use a mini – switch to a pad or panty liner .

Mini, regular and super tampons – how long will they last?

Each of these sizes indicates the degree of absorbency, or capacity, of a given tampon . The tampon must be selected according to the amount of bleeding . A tampon that is too small may leak , while one that is too large will collect your natural vaginal moisture (physiological discharge), which may cause dryness and irritation , and may promote the development of infection .

Read more about leaking tampons and how to deal with it here .

Mini tampon – for how many hours? There is no single answer to this question, just as no one can say for sure how many hours one tampon will last her/him. This is a very individual matter, depending on the amount of your period on a given day. It is a good idea to start with a tampon with the lowest absorbency and monitor its condition (check if it is leaking).

I'm sorry I can't attach a sensible table here called "How many hours can you have a tampon in?" I'm afraid there's no such thing. But don't worry! Trust yourself and respond to the changes your body dictates. The key is to change the tampon regularly.

PJ Hillard Adams, Menstruation in young girls: a clinical perspective , "Obstetrics & Gynecology" 2002, vol. 99, i. 4, p. 655-662, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0029784402016605 [accessed on 11/04/2022].
A. Ross, HW Shoff, Toxic Shock Syndrome , "StatPearls Publishing", https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459345/ [accessed on 11/04/2022].
S. Vostral, Toxic shock syndrome, tampons and laboratory standard–setting , "Canadian Medical Association Journal" 2017, vol. 189, i. 20, E726-E728, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5436965/ [accessed on 11/04/2022].