The use of tampons is a practice that is gaining more and more followers among the female public. However, while there are girls who adore them and defend them against any other method, there are others who hate them and would not choose to use them for anything in the world when they are menstruating.
A large number of myths and theories circulate around tampons: that if it is inserted too deeply it can stay in your body forever, that if it does not allow your blood to circulate correctly, that while you are wearing it you cannot go to the bathroom to urinate, that if you exercise it is most likely that it will come out…
None of this is true, but, without a doubt, one of the biggest questions that often comes to mind when using a tampon is: Can I leave it in while I sleep? Will it affect my health if I don’t take it off at night?
In this article we have proposed to banish all the legends around this method. Sleeping with a tampon, yes or no? We answer your question.
Is it bad to sleep with a tampon in at night?
- Using tampons during your period is not a bad thing, on the contrary. This feminine hygiene product offers a large number of advantages, such as the fact of being able to bathe on the beach or in the pool with your period during the summer or the freedom of movement to carry out all kinds of activities comfortably and without you noticing that you are wearing it Also, putting on a tampon doesn’t hurt, you just have to make sure you use the ones with adequate absorption for you and change them as often as necessary.
- As for the question of whether it is bad to sleep with a tampon in at night, the answer is no. Of course, you must be careful. The manufacturers recommend not using them for more than eight hours in a row (they should be changed approximately every 4-8 hours depending on the menstrual flow that each woman has). Therefore, if you plan to sleep beyond this time or you know that you are not going to get up during the night to change it, it is best to opt for another safer method in these cases such as a compress, a sanitary napkin or a menstrual cup.
- Conclusion: It is not bad to use tampons to sleep as long as they do not exceed eight hours. In any case, when in doubt, it is better to choose a compressor another system for this time of day if you do not want the blood to be retained for so many hours and could lead to a severe problem such as Toxic Shock Syndrome.
What is Toxic Shock Syndrome
- One of the most frequently circulated myths surrounding tampons is that sleeping in them is virtually a guarantee that you will get toxic shock syndrome and that you shouldn’t if you don’t want to risk it. But what is Toxic Shock Syndrome? What does it consist of?
- This disease is mainly caused by a type of bacteria known as Staphylococcus aereus, but it can also be caused by others such as Streptococcus or Clostridium sordelli.
- These bacteria can coexist perfectly in the vaginal flora without any type of problem, however, on occasions, some type of alteration can cause them to produce a type of toxins that give rise to this syndrome. To this day, the exact mechanism that links tampon use to this disease is unknown, but one of the most widely accepted theories is that if a tampon is left in for too long at night, these bacteria can grow and move into the body. uterus through the cervix causing infections, severe health problems and even death.
- However, for this to happen, you have to use a tampon with more absorbency than is actually needed. This is so because the more absorbent a tampon is, the more it will dry the vaginal mucosa and the longer it will take until it is changed for another. Increased vaginal dryness increases the risk of vaginal tears and therefore makes it much easier for bacteria to reach the bloodstream. For this to happen, it is not necessary that the cuts or tears be very large, even microscopic lesions in the vaginal mucosa may be enough.
Tips for sleeping with a tampon without affecting your health
Do not be scared by what you have read above, although Toxic Shock Syndrome can be caused by sleeping with a tampon for longer than allowed, currently it is not as common as before. This is because a few years ago, manufacturers added certain ingredients to increase absorbency such as polyester foam and carboxymethylcellulose. This caused some women not to change their tampons as often as they should, causing the bacteria to proliferate and increasing the risk.
Currently, it is totally prohibited to add these types of ingredients in the manufacture of tampons so, although there is still a risk, the chances are much lower. Even so, if you want to avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome at all costs, follow these two tips:
- Do not exceed the eight-hour limit.
- Use a tampon with the lowest possible absorption at night. You will have to change it more often, but you will have less chance of reducing the humidity of the vaginal mucosa.
