3. Not changing your tampon throughout the day. Even if you have a light flow, your tampon should still be changed every couple hours to prevent bacteria from breeding.
4. Forgetting to take it out. We’ve al heard those stories where a woman totally forgets she’s wearing a tampon and Dr. Miller-Thriller shares this example: “A young woman presents with complaints of a vaginal discharge with odor, described as ‘the worst smell she has ever had.’ Upon examination, a tampon is found in the vagina, removed and quickly placed in a plastic bag to contain the smell. She is cautioned regarding tampon use and leaves relieved, but embarrassed when faced with the realization that she could forget to remove her tampon.” The moral of the story is to take out your tampon even if you have to set a reminder using your phone.
5. Using scented tampons. I get it: You want to smell fresh down there, but for some women, scented tampons can cause irritation and lead to other problems. Instead, change your tampon often, wash the area using gentle soap and water, and wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
We are all very busy, but as Dr. Miller-Thrasher explains, “taking the five measures above can minimize your risk. Ignore them and what is now a rare condition could again take center stage.”
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Do You Make These 5 Common Tampon Mistakes? was originally published on blackdoctor.org
