Woman reveals terrifying symptoms she experienced after leaving her tampon in for over a month

A woman has revealed the horrifying symptoms she experienced after accidentally leaving a tampon in for a month and a half.

Now, from pretty much the moment we get our period for the first time, it's drilled into us to never leave in a tampon in for more than four hours.

Terrifying stories of toxic shock syndrome are enough of a reminder to ensure most women stick to the rules and don't put themselves in danger by pushing it.

For those who don't know what we're talking about, toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition which is caused by an infection.

As per the NHS, it can happen when using a tampon or menstrual cup, or from an infected wound.

Symptoms including a high temperature, muscle aches, and a raised skin rash that feels like sandpaper can develop quickly and if you suspect you have TSS, you may need urgent treatment.

A woman has shared her terrifying experience with toxic shock syndrome after leaving a tampon in for over a month (Getty Stock Image)

The NHS recommends that you should change your tampon regularly – around every four to six hours, depending on your flow.

However, one woman has shared the story of how she accidentally left the same tampon in for over a month and developed TSS as a result.

Taking to Reddit to share what happened, she explained how she forgot to take her tampon out before getting raunchy with her boyfriend, and simply popped another one in after doing the deed.

She explained: "Eventually my period ended, with the tampon still in. A couple weeks later, I was showing signs of a UTI, which I chalked up to our unprotected sex, and I went to the doctor. They gave me meds for the UTI and sent me on my way."

But, the symptoms only got worse - in fact, they got so unbearable she took herself to the emergency room.

She described having 'a fever, pain in the abdomen, muscle aches, nausea, dizziness and bad disorientation' - however, she claims she was told it was just a bacterial infection from leaving the UTI untreated for so long.

"I was prescribed an antibacterial, and the symptoms went away," the woman recalled, "Now being aware of the old tampon, I realise I was showing all of the symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome and the drug they prescribed me for the bacterial infection is the same they would give me for early toxic shock syndrome."

The NHS recommends that you change your tampon at least once every four to six hours (Getty Stock Image)

She revealed how her symptoms 'went away' after taking the meds apart from ' a very faint smell that followed after sex,' which she assumed was 'the bacterial infection coming back' and shrugged off as 'no big deal'.

Sharing what actually happened, the woman wrote: "That was until this week, when I started feeling really crappy and had pain in my lower abdomen. I thought I had a head cold, until I was cleaning myself out after doing the deed and I felt something grainy, almost like wet paper, up in my vagina."

She added: "Immediately I freaked out and spent 30 minutes digging it out, to which I found the grossest tampon I’ve ever seen.

"I threw it away and cleaned my vagina five times over again, almost puking from disgust."

Stories like this are important reminder on how important it is to keep on top of your tampon usage.

Of course, we know it can be easily forgotten, so whether it's keeping a note in your phone or setting alarms, it's worth the extra steps to steer clear of the life-threatening condition.

Symptoms include a high temperature, muscle aches, and a raised skin rash that feels like sandpaper (Getty Stock Image)

How to avoid getting toxic shock syndrome (TSS)

According to Better Health, there are a number of ways you can make sure you don't get TSS.

The experts advise that you should avoid using super-absorbent tampons and only unwrap your tampon if you are going to use it immediately.

On top of this, make sure you're not handling the tampon more than you need to and wash your hands thoroughly before and after inserting the tampon.

The biggie, of course, is making sure you're changing your tampons regularly - at least every four hours.

The site outlines that you should also:

• Be gentle when inserting and removing tampons.
• Avoid using applicator tampons, as the applicator may scrape your vaginal walls.
• Use pads instead of tampons overnight.
• Maintain personal hygiene during your period.
• Do not wear tampons when you do not have your period.
• Consider using pads or panty liners during the last day or so of your period when your flow is light.
• Use a lubricating jelly when inserting tampons in the last day or so of your period when your flow is light