It's a question that has been debated for years - can you sleep with a tampon in? Some people say it's perfectly fine, while others warn of the dangers of sleeping with a tampon in. So, what is the truth? Can you sleep with a tampon inserted or not? Keep reading to find out!
The short answer:
The short answer is yes, you can sleep with a tampon in. There is no evidence to suggest that sleeping with a tampon in is dangerous or harmful in any way, AS LONG AS you sleep with it for no longer than the suggested time. In fact, many women do it often without any problems at all.
No more than eight hours
There are a few key things to remember when sleeping with a tampon: #1 Do NOT sleep with a tampon in for more than eight hours. If you need to set an alarm to wake up eight hours after tampon insertion, then you should highly consider doing that! If you sleep for longer than eight hours when wearing a tampon, it can be dangerous and lead to TSS, a serious and sudden bacterial infection caused by tampons being in for too long. Want to know more about TSS? Keep reading.
Toxic Shock Syndrome
TSS is a rare but serious condition that can be caused by wearing a tampon for too long. Though tampons can be a breeding ground for bacteria if kept in too long, the tampon itself does not actually cause Toxic Shock Syndrome. The bacteria that cause this infection are staphylococcus aureus, or staph infection.
TSS occurs when bacteria get into the body and release toxins, leading to a sudden drop in blood pressure and organ failure. Symptoms of TSS include:
- Sudden high fever
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Fainting or dizziness
- A sunburn-like rash
- Muscle aches
- Low blood pressure
If you experience any of these symptoms, remove your tampon immediately and seek medical help. TSS is a rare condition, but it can progress rapidly to organ failure, seizures and in extreme cases, death.
Choosing tampon absorbency before sleeping
The second key thing to remember when sleeping with a tampon inserted is: #2 Be mindful of your tampon absorbency.
If you have a very heavy flow, super absorbent tampons are your answer, but it is actually best to sleep with the lowest absorbency necessary. The reason for this is that the more absorbent your tampon is, the longer it will be in contact with your vagina - and thus, the greater your risk of TSS.
Alternative options to sleeping with tampons
Though tampon use is easy, and tampons are period product of choice for 42% of women, some may be looking into alternative options to protect themselves from TSS.
Menstrual cups
Menstrual cups are a perfect option for those who want to avoid TSS altogether. They can be worn for up to 12 hours, which is significantly longer than the max eight hours suggested for tampon use. Check out Garnuu's menstrual cup here.
Menstrual cups are great for the environment by reducing waste, there is less "mess" with non-stop leak protection, and they are reusable for up to 10 years! Garnuu makes period cups with medical grade silicon that is extremely bendy and easy for insertion and removal.
Pads
Pads are another great option! Pads can be worn for longer periods of time than tampons, but they are not as leak-proof. If you are looking for a leak-proof option, consider period underwear.
Bottom line
The bottom line is this: you can sleep with a tampon in, but only for the max recommended time of eight hours. Be mindful of your absorbency level to avoid TSS and consider alternative options if you sleep for longer than eight hours a night. Be sure to choose the right absorbency for your flow and always remove your tampon before going to bed and insert a new tampon for overnight use.
Thanks for reading our blog post on The Truth About Sleeping with a Tampon In. We hope you learned a thing or two and consider what your habits are with sleeping with a tampon overnight.
We love you, Garnuu Girl!
XOXO,
The Garnuu Team
