.png)
A woman who works for a period products company has shared some key knowledge to have on hand if you ever find yourself in a tampon emergency.
Here's everything you need to know:
Tampons are great to use on your period if you're looking for something a bit more discreet than a pad, but I'm sure everyone who's ever used one will have had some sort of mishap at one point or another.
From accidentally inserting two at once to struggling to get it in in the first place, you've got to make sure you look after yourself properly, and advice from the company Moxie is helping people do just that.
Advert
In a TikTok video, a rep for the company used a fake vagina to offer up a graphic and detailed explanation of what you should do if you ever lose your tampon string inside your body.
As the strings are what we rely on to pull the tampon out, this could be a pretty nerve-wracking discovery - but don't worry.
In the clip, the Moxie employee explained: "One day you are gonna lose your tampon string inside you and you're going to need to get your tampon out without it, and you're going to think of this moment and this video, and you're going to be so happy you watched it."
Advert
With the help of the fake vagina, the TikToker advised first having 'a feel around' to try and find the base of the tampon and get a grip on it to pull it out.
If that doesn't prove successful, she recommended squatting down 'low' to shorten the vaginal canal, which in turn will push the tampon down and make it 'that much easier for you to use your thumb and finger inside you to find it and get it out'.
Moxie's advice mirrors that given by Tampax, which recommends the following to find a lost tampon: "First, wash your hands, then squat down, put your finger in your vagina and sweep it around in a circle. You’ll probably be able to feel the tampon, but getting it out can still be difficult.
Advert
"If you can’t sweep it out, insert two fingers and try to grasp it. If you squat and bear down, it can help bring the tampon closer to the vaginal opening and make it easier to remove."
The most important thing is not to leave the tampon inside you if you can't get it - this could lead to bacteria getting inside the body and releasing harmful toxins, resulting in a rare condition called toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
The NHS advises changing tampons regularly, usually at least every four to eight hours, to avoid developing TSS.
The condition can cause a high temperature, flu-like symptoms and difficulty breathing and can be treated if diagnosed early, but can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Emily Brown