Can I sleep with my tampon in? This is the question on the mind of many women who are wondering if it’s safe to sleep with a tampon still inserted in their privates. Though most people feel very comfy sleeping with one in, but the question is, how safe is it to sleep with a tampon in? Particularly when they are wearing it for longer than eight ( hours. This is because a woman stands the risk of being exposed to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) if she sleeps with an inserted tampon.

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TSS is an extremely life-threatening condition that requires prompt medical attention. It is best to change your tampon every eight (eight hours) to avoid TSS.

What is Toxic shock syndrome, TSS?
Toxic shock syndrome occurs when Staphylococcus aureus bacterium gains access into the bloodstream. Though rare, toxic shock syndrome is deadly. It can also affect people who don’t use tampons. TSS can also occur due to toxins caused by group A streptococcus (strep) bacteria.

There is always Staphylococcus aureus on our skin and in our nose, but an overgrowth can lead to an infection. Infection normally occurs when there’s an opening in the skin.

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Researchers aren’t totally certain of how tampons can cause toxic shock syndrome. They believe the tampon is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria since it’s a warm and moist environment. If there are tiny scratches or cuts in the vagina, this bacteria can gain access to the body through that opening.

It can be dangerous to use high-absorbency tampons, because it absorbs more of the natural mucus of the vagina, thereby drying it out and increasing the chances of creating small tears in the vaginal walls.

What are the Symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome?
In some cases, the symptoms of toxic shock syndrome can mimic the flu. These symptoms include:

marks that looks like sunburn on your skin
rashes
muscle aches
fever
headaches
low blood pressure
nausea and vomiting
diarrhea
dizziness and disorientation
sore throat
eye redness, resembling conjunctivitis
redness and inflammation in your mouth and throat
skin of palms, feet, and the soles of feet peeling
seizures
Toxic shock syndrome treatment may be in an intensive care unit since it’s a medical emergency. The patient may be in ICU for several days. Toxic shock syndrome treatment may include an intravenous (IV) antibiotic and a course of antibiotics who the patient can take at home.

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What are the Risk factors of TSS?
Thou toxic shock syndrome is mostly linked with tampon use, but it’s still possible to get it even if you don’t use tampons or menstruate. Toxic shock syndrome can affect people irrespective of their age or gender.

According to the Cleveland Clinic half of all toxic shock syndrome cases are not linked to menstruation.

Risk factors for developing toxic shock syndrome includes:

having a skin infection
having a cut, sore, or open wound
recent surgery
woman who recently had a vaginal delivery
use of vaginal sponges or diaphragms
inflammatory diseases, like sinusitis or tracheitis
Have had the flu recently
When to use a pad or menstrual cup
It is advisable to use a menstrual pad or menstrual cup while sleeping at night, especially if you sleep for more than eight hours at a stretch and you don’t want to wake up to change your tampon.

Endeavor to wash your hands thoroughly before handling, removing, or emptying your menstrual cup.
Ensure you wash a menstrual cup properly in between uses.
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How Can I Prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome?
Toxic shock syndrome is deadly, but there are a number of precautions you can take to keep this infection at bay:

use low-absorbency tampon
change your tampon every four to eight hours
wash your hands thoroughly before inserting, removing, or changing a tampon
it is safer to use pads instead of tampons
replace your tampons with a menstrual cup and clean your hands and your menstrual cup often
wash your hands regularly

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When to see a doctor
Toxic shock syndrome is fatal, but treatable, as long as you seek urgent medical attention. Call for an ambulance or call your doctor immediately if you have one or more symptoms of toxic shock syndrome stated above.

Conclusion
If you are sleeping with a tampon in for less than 8 hours, then it may to safe, but very unsafe if it exceeds this time frame. To be on the safer side, it’s vital to change your tampons every eight hours to avoid risk of developing toxic shock syndrome. Ensure you use tampon with the lowest absorbency level.

Source: https://healthdiary365.com/should-you-sleep-with-a-tampon-in/