Does Taking Out a Tampon Hurt – What Should It Feel Like?

The process of inserting and removing a tampon shouldn’t hurt once you get used to them. You might experience some pressure when removing a dry tampon.

Tampon removal should be effortless if tampon insertion was trouble-free. Trying to relax may help because your vaginal muscles hold the tampon in place.

How to Avoid This Situation?

To avoid the situation you’re describing, where it hurts to pull a tampon out, try a less absorbent tampon — like a “regular” or a “light” absorbency tampon. It may be simpler to remove lower absorbency tampons because they are typically thinner.

The process of inserting and removing a tampon shouldn’t hurt once you get used to them. Tampons should be changed frequently, but you can wear one until it is full, which is usually after three to four hours. If a tampon slides out easily when you gently pull the string, it’s time to remove it if it’s been less than three or four hours.

Tampons should only be used when you have a consistent flow. When your flow is at its lightest at the start or end of your period, it is best to use a mini-pad or panty shield. Do not use a tampon for discharge from the cervix or for any other reason besides your period.

What Causes a Tampon to Feel Stuck?

Tampons frequently feel stuck because of a lack of lubrication, or because they haven’t absorbed enough blood to slide out easily, according to Dr. Arumala. This can occur if you attempt to take it off too soon (experts advise changing your tampon every four to eight hours, or more frequently on your heaviest days), as well as toward the end of your period, when the bleeding isn’t as intense.

If you had a period that started and then stopped, your tampon might also be dry. “Sometimes patients experience stop-and-go periods, where they start bleeding, have a brief hiatus, and then continue bleeding,” Informs POPSUGAR, Dr. Arumala. “There isn’t any blood, or not enough, to lubricate the tampon during this time.” Whatever the reason, it can be very difficult to remove a dry tampon.

The posterior fornix, as it is known in medical terminology, is where a tampon can also be inserted too deeply into the vagina, which can be uncomfortable and make removal more challenging. “This is a small area underneath the external face of the cervix,” Dr. Arumala explains. “The tampon is encircled by the vaginal wall and cervix lip, which almost acts as a suction cup.”

How to Find the Tampon？

If you cannot find the tampon string or think that the tampon is “stuck,” you can try bearing down like you would for a bowel movement. This aids in tightening the vaginal walls and might advance the tampon toward the opening where the string is located.

The tampon might be manually removed using two clean fingers if that doesn’t work.

Here’s how:

1. Make sure to give your hands a good, soapy wash.
2. Knees slightly wider than hip-width apart, sit down on the toilet.
3. Bearing down as if you were attempting to urinate, squeeze your pelvic floor muscles.
4. Gently pierce your vagina with your middle and index fingers.
5. Move your fingers around the vagina, focusing on the top and back as you do so.
6. Find the tampon if you can, then gently pull it out by grabbing it between your fingers.
7. You might still be able to locate the string even if you can’t locate the tampon. If so, pull the string until the tampon is removed using your fingers to carefully fish the string out.

How to Take Out a Dry Tampon?

When removing a tampon that feels stuck, you can lessen the discomfort by lubricating your fingers and working gently to guide the tampon out. According to Dr., this is how to go about it. Arumala:

1. With unscented soap, thoroughly wash your hands.
2. Use a lubricant with a water base to lubricate your fingers.
3. As you would for a squat, position yourself on the toilet with your legs shoulder-width apart.
4. To relieve the pelvic-floor muscles, take a few deep breaths.
5. To find the tampon’s string, reach inside your vagina with your fingers.
6. Gently tease out the tampon by wrapping your fingers around the string. If that doesn’t work, you can take the tampon out by gently pulling it out with your fingers tucked underneath.

If you feel like you need more space or a better angle, Dr. Arumala advises switching from the restroom to the shower. You won’t be hindered by the toilet bowl in the shower, and you can even use a mirror for a better view. Repeat these steps in a squat position. It might also be helpful to take a warm, unscented bath before or after attempting to remove the tampon.

What to Do If You Can’t Find the Tampon?

Take a break, wait a while, and try again if you are still unable to remove the tampon after several tries. Your vaginal muscles can relax during this time. Vaginal redness, swelling, and tenderness can be brought on by exerting too much effort or poking too forcefully.

It is also important to note that dry tampons can get “stuck” quite easily and, by waiting, you may find that it is easier to remove with your menstrual flow.

In the same manner as above, you could also try squatting. The vagina is pushed more downward and forward when one squats.

If you try all of these things and still cannot find or “unstick” the tampon, see your gynecologist. Your gynecologist can put you in an examination chair and use a tiny clamp meant for surgical sponges to remove the tampon. Although the procedure might be uncomfortable, there shouldn’t be any pain.

Summary

A tampon cannot be misplaced inside the vagina. It’s possible to miss the strings if a tampon moves to the top or back of the vagina, but the tampon is still there.

If a tampon is “stuck,” sit on a toilet with your knees apart and bear down as if you were peeing or having a bowel movement. Next, you can search inside the vagina with two fingers until you locate the string or tampon.

The tampon should be removed by your gynecologist if this doesn’t work. An infection and, in rare instances, toxic shock syndrome, a potentially fatal condition, can result from leaving a tampon in for too long.

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