Tampon Questions: Dryness and Leaving in too long

[rainbowmitts.livejournal.com]

Okay I have two questions related to tampons:

1. Whenever I used tampons for the majority of my period my vagina gets super dry. This usually lasts for a week to two weeks after my period. Besides lube, is there anything that I can do to stop the dryness. It is really annoying.

2. Yesterday I had a very hectic day and completely forgot that I had put a tampon in at 8 in the morning. It wasn't until about 11 pm that I took it out. So like 15 hours total. Which I know is horrible. Now my vagina has been burning like mad and the entire vulva area is red and irritated. Is this just because I left the tampon in too long? will it go away? Should I go and see my gyno?

Comments

[falnfenix]

i switched to Insteads for the two reasons you listed. i never get dry and i can leave them in for 12 hours without problems.

[sandi1743.livejournal.com]

i <3 them!
plus sex is not an issue when wearing them - and sex can help ease cramps!

[falnfenix]

yup. clean sex during a red week FTW!

[lisamaria.livejournal.com]

tampons are absorbent and suck up all moisture- so they're doing their job...they can't tell the difference between menstrual blood and normal moisture.

Which is why i would reccomend a menstrual cup, lik the divacup. its a whole different world.

[jadeserenity.livejournal.com]

This is exactly what I was going to say. Asking a tampon not to absorb everything in sight is asking it not to do what it was designed for.

Diva Cup ftw!

[subarashiine.livejournal.com]

Don't worry too much about leaving the tampon in for too long. You are definitely right in that it really shouldn't be left in for that length of time, but I know many many people who leave it in regularly for 8 hours or more (overnight). I, myself, change one every four hours religiously, but that is just neurotic me! :D
And yes, if your vagina gets quite dry from wearing tampons, then most likely leaving it in that long caused the redness and irritation. I would suggest putting a soothing gel like aloe vera on the outside and inside of your vulva (organic aloe vera gel is completely safe to put inside) and don't wear tampons today or tomorrow at least. It should clear up on its own :)

[pocochina.livejournal.com]

*wince* Ouch, I feel your pain. I'd imagine it is just that the tampon was in for so long, but if it's still bothering you, maybe you could at least call your gyno and she can tell you if you can use some Vagisil or something?

As for general dryness, a week or two is a really long time. I know you didn't come here for lectures on reusable cups, but I did have that same problem and the DivaCup cleared it right up (and so will Instead, as someone above said) - check out the menstrual_cups comm and see if it's for you.

[rose-yuille.livejournal.com]

Hm, I'd personally call a doc about the leaving the tampon in too long thing. Isn't leaving them in for too long putting you at risk of toxic shock syndrome? At least that's what they say on the little info sheets in the tampon box :)

I'm sure you'll be fine, though. Just make sure you get to a doc if you start feeling ill or feverish, won't you?

x

[leaksgeek.livejournal.com]

Wearing a tampon for any amount of time leaves you at risk for TSS.

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Wearing a tampon for too long is a risk factor in TSS. However, it's still extremely rare to get TSS. As long as the OP monitors her body over the next few days for signs of the relatively severe symptoms of TSS (sudden high fever, vomiting, etcetera), she should be fine without contacting a health care professional right now. :)

[sandi1743.livejournal.com]

once the tampon is removed - the risk is also gone. TSS susually shows up pretty fast - but thankfully is rare!

[leaksgeek.livejournal.com]

What do you mean the risk is gone when you a remove a tampon?
Tampons also leave fibers and small cuts behind.

[sandi1743.livejournal.com]

I was talking about the risk of TSS from Staphylococcus aureus - is pretty much gone once the tampon is removed. Sexual activities, douching, wiping can all cause small cuts behind. The small fibres that maybe left after tampos are flushed out with normal discharge.

[leaksgeek.livejournal.com]

They are after a few days.

[arseaboutface.livejournal.com]

1) Use less absorbent tampons, switch to pads when you're sleeping, drink more water.

[ecstasyforalice.livejournal.com]

I also reccomend the divacup, it keeps my vagina happy =]