Wait, What Happens If You Have Sex with a Tampon In?
POV: You’re in the middle of an intimate make-out sesh with your partner, and you both agree to take things to the next level. Everything’s going smoothly, but then you notice the string. Oops, you’re still wearing your tampon. (Cue the record scratch.) Lots of scenarios race through your head — do you take a break in the action and run to the bathroom to take it out? Do you tell your partner? Do you just go ahead and have sex with a tampon in? Is that even safe?
First things first: You can have sex during your time of the month (though you’re also not alone if sex is the last thing on your mind). But in the heat of the moment, it can feel awkward to excuse yourself to go and take your tampon out. We get it, you don’t want to kill the mood. However, just like you want to double check that you’re using protection, you want to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself down there, too.
Accidents happen, and while it’s unlikely that a tampon will get “lost” inside you, it’s not recommended to keep a tampon in during sex. To break down the risks, we talked to Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, family physician at One Medical. Here, Dr. Bhuyan explains exactly what happens if you accidentally (or, tbh, lazily) have sex with a tampon in.
What can happen if you have penetrative sex with a tampon in?
If you put anything into your vagina (like a penis or finger) while wearing a tampon, it can push the tampon to the back of your vaginal canal, or even tilt the tampon on its side, Dr. Bhuyan explains. When your tampon gets pushed far back, it can be difficult to reach its strings and pull it out, or you might even forget that it’s there. This is how you end up with a retained tampon, which is when your tampon gets stuck in your vaginal canal.
Luckily, your tampon can’t go anywhere further, which explains why it can’t really get lost inside you. “Because the vaginal canal is a contained space, the tampon can’t migrate into your belly or your abdomen,” Dr. Bhuyan says. “It really can’t move outside of the vaginal canal.”
That being said, the longer your tampon is stuck and sitting in your vaginal canal, the more likely it can contract different bacteria and cause infections. If you take your tampon out immediately afterwards, you likely can avoid this, but if possible, err on the side of caution and remove your tampon before sex.
How do you get a stuck tampon out?
First, try removing the tampon on your own. Dr. Bhuyan suggests removing the tampon by getting into a squatting position or putting one leg up on the toilet seat or bathtub, and reaching into your vagina (with clean hands!) to see if you’re able to hook the tampon strings and remove it.
If you’re struggling to get the tampon out yourself, take a deep breath. Your best move is to see your doc as soon as you can. Luckily, it should be pretty simple for your doctor to spot and remove the tampon — just don’t wait days to make the call.
Is it dangerous to have sex while wearing a tampon?
According to Dr. Bhuyan, leaving a tampon in is not dangerous in the moment you’re having intercourse. The concern comes when a retained tampon is left in your vaginal canal for days or even weeks, resulting in a possible infection. (FYI, you shouldn’t leave a tampon in for more than eight hours.) Left untreated, these infections can become serious, so if you’re having difficulty removing or locating your tampon, call your doctor as soon as possible.
Can you still have sex when there’s a tampon in there?
Though you’ll likely be able to have sex, it might be an uncomfortable experience for both you and your partner. “With intercourse, you have natural lubrication,” Dr. Bhuyan explains. “But when there’s a tampon in there, it’s absorbing that lubrication.” This might cause discomfort or even pain, as the tampon can prevent your partner from fully penetrating your vagina.
Does the tampon prevent you from getting pregnant?
Wearing a tampon during sex is not a method of birth control. You might think you can’t get pregnant because your tampon is blocking your cervix, but this is a myth. “You certainly can get pregnant if you have sex with a tampon in, and it will not block the sperm from getting into the cervix,” Dr. Bhuyan says.
To lower your risk of pregnancy, Dr. Bhuyan suggests a long-acting contraceptive method like the birth control pill, IUDs, shots, or implants, plus condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
And while we’re here, it’s also important to note that while uncommon, you can still get pregnant if you’re having sex on your period. Your risk is lower during your time of the month (since you’re not ovulating), but you can still get pregnant, especially if you have an irregular cycle.
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