You can safely keep a tampon in for four to eight hours. The general recommendation from health experts and authorities such as the FDA is to change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours. Leaving it in longer than 8 hours raises the risk of serious complications like toxic shock syndrome (TSS), as well as bacterial infections and inflammation. It's generally okay to sleep with a tampon in, as long as you don't sleep for more than 8 hours continuously without changing it. To stay safe, insert a fresh tampon before bed and remove or change it as soon as you wake up. If you anticipate sleeping longer than 8 hours, it's better to use alternative menstrual products like pads or menstrual cups overnight. Remember to choose the lowest absorbency tampon needed for your flow and wash your hands before and after changing tampons to avoid introducing bacteria. In summary:
- Change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours.
- Never keep a tampon in longer than 8 hours.
- It is safe to sleep with a tampon in if your sleep is under 8 hours.
- Use lower absorbency according to flow to reduce risks.
These guidelines help prevent toxic shock syndrome and other infections while using tampons safely.
