Can You Poop With a Tampon In? An OB/GYN Weighs In

If you are a tampon-wearer, it might really feel such as you’ve been utilizing these handy cotton contraptions for, effectively, eons. But even in any case these years, you should still have random questions on them—together with how and why they work. (Do not be embarrassed: We have all had these ideas. Plus, reproductive well being nonetheless is not talked about sufficient, so it is no surprise we have now questions!)

Positive, you may Google these questions when you will have them, however you could have to do some digging to separate truth from fiction. And even with out the web, who hasn’t heard a fable or two about tampons over the course of their life—prefer it’ll stretch out your vagina, break your hymen, or make you a non-virgin? (These are all false, BTW.)

One main query is whether or not or not it is okay to poop with a tampon in. To unravel this (legitimate) question, we tapped an OB/GYN to share whether or not you may poop and pee with a tampon in. Learn on for the reply, together with the most effective hygiene tricks to maintain issues recent “down there” in the event you’re a tampon-wearer.

Are you able to poop with a tampon in?

You heard it right here: It’s very secure to empty your bowels whereas carrying a tampon. “The principle issues are hygiene and luxury relatively than medical security,” says Stephanie Hack, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB/GYN and founding father of Lady Parts Doctor.

Meaning, so long as you do not really feel ache, you are free to go quantity two as you please. The remaining concern, although, is your hygiene. In case your tampon string will get contaminated with poop, you may “switch micro organism from the rectal space to the vaginal or urethral areas, which may probably result in infections,” says Dr. Hack. Micro organism like E. coli, for instance, which might be present in stool, could cause a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Can your tampon ever fall out while you poop? It is uncommon in your tampon to fully fall out while you poop, however there’s nonetheless an opportunity it will possibly get barely dislodged while you pressure throughout a bowel motion. Mainly, it is attainable to push your tampon out. That is largely because of anatomy, says Dr. Hack.

This occurs as a result of the vaginal and anal canals are kind of located on high of one another, per the Cleveland Clinic. So the pressure of pushing out your poop may also push out no matter’s within the neighboring canal, i.e., your tampon.

When this occurs, it’s normally finest to alter your tampon, says Dr. Hack.

On a associated notice: Why does my interval make me poop extra?

When you really feel such as you’re pooping greater than regular when Aunt Flo involves city, you are not imaging issues. “Period poops” are actual, they usually could cause your tampon to really feel a bit of dislodged in the event you’re straining typically.

“Your interval can have an effect on your digestive system due to the discharge of prostaglandins,” says Dr. Hack. These hormone-like substances “assist the uterus contract to shed its lining, however may also result in elevated bowel actions,” she explains.

Backside line: Pooping extra throughout your interval is regular, and the quantity/frequency you go will differ from individual to individual. This additionally means you will seemingly be pooping with a tampon extra typically, too.

Are you able to pee with a tampon in?

If you are able to do quantity two with a tampon in, you’re most likely guessing that doing primary is okay, too. And also you’re one hundred pc right. Because of your physique’s pure design, peeing with a tampon in is feasible.

“As a result of the urethra [where pee exits] and the vagina are separate, the tampon doesn’t block the movement of urine,” says Dr. Hack. However as a result of these holes are tremendous shut to one another, your uncovered tampon string could get moist.

In contrast to poop, pee getting in your tampon string “is extra about private consolation than well being dangers,” says Dr. Hack. Urine is sterile (i.e., does not have micro organism), which implies even when your string will get soaked, it will not enhance your threat of an infection, per the Cleveland Clinic. You may merely pat it dry and even depart it alone if it doesn’t hassle you, Dr. Hack says.

Hygiene suggestions for tampon-wearers

Although it’s typically secure to poop whereas carrying a tampon, taking just a few precautions to be hygienic might help shield your genital well being. Listed below are Dr. Hack’s restroom suggestions, so you may poop like a professional with a tampon in:

• Wipe from entrance to again: This may aid you keep away from transferring micro organism from the rectal space to the urethra or vagina, which might trigger an an infection.
• Maintain the tampon string to the facet while you poop (or pee): This may make sure that your string isn’t getting dirty with poop (or moist with urine).
• At all times use clear fingers when dealing with a tampon: Don’t poop after which change your tampon proper after. You don’t need unhealthy micro organism out of your butthole hitching a trip to your urethra or vagina. To be secure, it’s finest to scrub your fingers earlier than (and after) touching a tampon.

If unsure, there isn’t any hurt in simply altering your tampon if that is what makes you are feeling extra comfy.

The underside line

It’s completely NBD to poop with a tampon in. As a result of there’s no medical purpose to not, it’s actually a matter of private choice.

For cleanliness’ sake, although, it may be value it to take just a few easy precautions to stop poop from getting in your string. Past that, take into account this your inexperienced gentle to poop and pee as a lot as you want whereas carrying a tampon.

FAQ

What number of occasions are you able to pee with a tampon in?

Actually, it’s as much as you. “Altering your tampon extra steadily when urinating (or defecating) will not be essentially required until the tampon turns into dirty or dislodged,” says Dr. Hack. “The choice is extra about private hygiene preferences and making certain the tampon is functioning appropriately to soak up menstrual blood.”

So, so long as you’re bodily comfy, and also you’re not carrying a tampon for greater than eight hours, you’re golden to pee as many occasions as you need.

How do I do know my tampon is full?

“In case your tampon begins to really feel uncomfortable or begins to leak, it may be time for a change,” says Dr. Hack. “A lightweight tug on the string may also assist; if the tampon begins to come back out simply, it’s seemingly full.”

Simply don’t depart in your tampon for greater than eight hours. Carrying it longer than that may enhance your threat of poisonous shock syndrome (TSS)—a uncommon however critical situation that occurs when sure strains of micro organism that produce toxins enter your bloodstream, in keeping with the Cleveland Clinic.

Being loosey-goosey about how lengthy you leave a tampon in may also result in different bacterial or yeast infections, in addition to irritation of your vulva (i.e., the outer a part of your genitals, together with your internal and outer labia and mons pubis, or the realm the place your pubes develop).

When your movement is heavy, your tampon will get soaked rapidly, so altering it extra steadily may be a good suggestion to keep away from potential well being issues. (Your underwear will thanks, too.)

Can pulling out a dry tampon trigger harm?

Generally tugging out a dry tampon when your movement is gentle might be downright uncomfortable. And in sure instances, it’d even trigger “minor harm to the vaginal mucosa, because of friction,” says Dr. Hack. Ouch.

To keep away from this, “it’s finest to make use of the proper absorbency in your movement,” she says. That means, persist with smaller-size tampons when your movement is gentle. On gentle days, you may even skip the tampon altogether and put on pantyliners or a pair of reusable period underwear. And if conventional ingredients in tampons irritate your pores and skin, like rayon or sure fragrances, you may seek for various tampon brands that use one hundred pc cotton or different pure elements.