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How often should I change my tampon?

Posted on January 15th, by The Period Blog in FAQ, Period Tips, Tampons. 29 comments

This is something that even sometimes I’m even unsure of but over the years I have learned a couple tricks and I’ll share them with you in this blog post!

4 Tips to help you tell when to change your tampon:

  1. You will feel a bit wet down there from leaking. Wear a pantiliner or pad to catch these leaks.
  2. Use the toilet frequently like every hour or so, however frequent you are comfortable with. Change your tampon when there is blood on the string.
  3. Give the string a light tug. If it is fully saturated, it will slide out very easily when you pull. (Don’t worry! It’s not going to just fall out!) Some girls prefer this method but I personally don’t use this method because I find the first two are better indicators of a saturated tampon.
  4. Take mental note of the time you put in the tampon. Once you are more familiar with your body and your period flow, you will start to get an idea of how long it will take to fill up a tampon.

The longest you can wear a tampon

The longest you can wear a tampon is 8 hours. This means even if you are sure your tampon is not fully saturated, you must change your tampon anyways. This is because wearing the same tampon for longer than 8 hours will put you at higher risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome. If your tampon isn’t fully saturated by 8 hours, I would recommend you change to a lighter absorbency or switch over to a pad.

What I usually do…

Usually, I usually check after 3 hours of use. I check to see if there are any leaks and if there is any blood on the string. If there is any then I know it’s time to change. If there isn’t any then I know I’m good and I’ll check again in an hour or two. I usually aim to wear a tampon for 4-5 hours. If I have to change at the 3 hour mark then I usually change to a tampon with a higher absorbency. If I still don’t have to change at the 6 hour mark, I switch to a lighter absorbency or just switch over to a pad.

How do you know when to change your tampon? Share with us in the comments section below!



29 thoughts on “How often should I change my tampon?”

  1. Tampons should be changed every 4-6 hours.

    The ’8 hour maximum’ is what tampon companies put on their boxes as part of the regulations brought in after the TSS outbreak of the 70′s and 80′s – this is grossly outdated. As tampon companies are self-regulated they don’t have to change this recommended use limit, so they don’t – after all this makes their products seem more convenient.

    TSS and other health risks such as vaginal infections are ALWAYS a risk with tampon use*, and the longer you wear a tampon the higher the risk as the longer it gives bacteria to multiply exponentially and toxins to accumulate, also the longer you’re preventing vaginal cleaning.

    [* If TSST-1 is present and you lack antibodies then it's not going to wait till 8 hours to take effect - most TSS cases occur within 2-3 hours]

    Furthermore if a person can go up to 8 hours without leaking they’re using too high an absorbency, which further increases TSS risks as higher absorbency increases damage to vaginal tissues, so giving TSST-1 a more direct route into the body (for each 1g increase in absorbency TSS risks increase by up to 33%). If the tampon is dry, white or brown in places after 4-6 hours you need to use a lower absorbency or switch to pads.

    Experts agree tampons should be changed at least every 4-6 hours in order to stay safe and in order to practice a basic level of hygiene.

  2. I want to add that when I began to use tampons, I always used one with lighter absorbency. Basically, you can’t tell someone “when to change”. On my heavy day, I have to change every 2-3 hours. On my light days, I change every 6-7 hours. I know I leave it in longer, but school and work can get in the way.

    The best way is to buy one with different absorbency.

    Another thing is, if you put a tampon in, doesn’t matter the day and start to feel sick… take it out and use a pad.

  3. If you get a chance, could you do a post about exercise on your period? Like what pads/tampons to wear, what exercises to do and what to avoid, etc. I was wondering about this.

  4. I am going to sound like a crazy menstrual cup advocate but if any of you are concerned about TSS, use natural tampons made of organic cotton, it has been proven that they are less likely to give you TSS, or even better switch to a soft cup or menstrual cup.

  5. I have a swimming lesson tomorrow but I started spotting today, which I guess means my next period is coming soon. (I’ve only ever had one period, this would be my second). If I’m still only spotting tomorrow, should I wear a light tampon or not wear one at all? (it would be tampax compak lite btw).

    • If you are only spotting and confident there will be no gushes (you know what I mean right?) then I personally would just skip the tampon.

      Sorry for the late reply!

  6. Would it hurt or damage anything if i pacticed inserting a tampon before i start my period? I think it is going to start soon and I AM NOT using a pad. PLEEEEEASE HELP ME!!!

    • I wouldn’t insert the actual tampon in because the tampon would soak up vaginal fluids down there that you need. You can practice inserting the applicator though but make sure you don’t push in the actual tampon.

    • Every day when you shower, stick your longest finger up there. After a while it will become easier. Then you’ll be prepared for tampons. Just make sure your hand is clean.

  7. So, I just inserted a tampon for the first time today (yay! it made me feel nice that I finally accomplished this) but I feel like it slides out a little when I sneeze? Or is that just me being paranoid? I’m not sure if it’s because its my first time or because I didn’t push it all the way in… :) Please help, I’m going to be wearing tampons to school for the first time tomorrow, thanks!

    • Hi! Sorry for the late reply.

      I have never felt my tampon move when it’s inside me but I know that some girls do like when they pass a bowel movement. If you feel that it’s coming out, just go to the washroom, wash your hands and use your finger to push it further up. Yup, just put your finger inside until you feel the tampon and push it back up :) !

      xoxo.

  8. Hi! I have a website as a Guide To Middle School. The link is: middleschoolstinks.weebly.com I was hoping you could make a post about it. I am kinda young and I love your blog, it really helps me al ot (especially the one about stains & spit :P ). I wann abe a blogger like you, so please post about it, or just look at my site. Thanks so much!

  9. hi!
    I used a tampon for the first time today and I had some questions!

    1) I used the tampax pearl today and when I took it out, it felt a little uncomfortable and it was expanded sideways. are there tampons that don’t expand sideways? I feel that this is kinda uncomfortable.

    2) when I took the tampon out, there was blood on the string but it wasn’t fully expanded like it does when u put it in the water. is this normal?

    3) where do I put the tampon string? I know u put it outside of your body but where? I put them in my panties

    thanks!

    • Hi!

      1. Yup, there are tampons that expand all around rather than just sideways. You can browse through my tampon reviews here: Tampon Reviews

      2. Sometimes this happens. It could be just blood that was already on your vagina that got on it or a leak.

      3. I put the string in my panties too. It just hangs there :) .

      xoxo.

  10. heyy!
    I’ve decided to switch between tampons and pads during my cycle, but I was wondering when I should use pads and when I should use tampons?

    my first day is pretty light, my second day is suuuper heavy, my third day is heavy but not as heavy as my second day, and on the fourth day it starts going away. I’ve just started using tampons so I don’t want to use supers yet.

    and is it normal if I can feel my tampon when I walk? it doesn’t hurt but I can feel it there. it was my first time though.

    also, I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten more cramps lately. I never really had them before, but when I took my tampon out today the pain was horrible. is this normal?

    • Hiiii,

      1. I would recommend tampons on your regular to heavy days and on your light days use pads. This is partly preference and partly safety. Always use the lowest absorbency you need when using a tampon so on your light days, I would just recommend using a pad. Don’t use tampons when you are spotting or can just get away with using a pantiliner.

      2. You shouldn’t really feel it. Just push it up higher next time.

      3. Do you mean your tampon caused you pain or was it just cramps in your tummy area? This is great that you took an observational note. If this persists you may want to visit your doctor. But sometimes cramps are just cramps and sometimes they can be pretty bad. You will have to use your judgement.

      xoxo.

  11. Hi there!
    I’ve noticed that when I put my tampon in, and removes the applicator the tampon started sliding out as well. what am I doing wrong? I inserted the applicator until I touched my skin, pushed the plunger, and tried to take the applicator out but the tampon kept being pulled out with it!

    • Push the plunger all the way in, that way you know for sure that the tampon has left the applicator. When you pull out the applicator, make sure you’re not holding on to the string too.

      If you’re still having trouble let me know :) !

      xoxo.

    • Thanks so much for replying! I think that I’m not getting it in all the way- I find that there’s something blocking my applicator from going all the way in. You know how your fingers are supposed to touch your body when the applicator is in all the way? Well my fingers are always about 1cm away from my body, because by the time the applicator is in that far, there’s something blocking it. Should I still force it through? What could it be?

      I really appreciate you doing the blog btw! I’m the oldest girl in my family and my mom doesn’t use tampons, so this is an awesome blog to rely on!

  12. Hello! So yesterday I tried my first tampon, but I’m scared to use them because I’m a virgin and I am WAY scared that it’s gonna get stuck behind my hymen. (and plus my mom doesn’t want me using them so if one got stuck I would be in a ton of touble.. but I’m 16 so I feel like it’s my choice??) well anyways I put it about 3/4 of the way in.. It was comfy but about an hour later I got scared and tried to take it out and it hurt REALLLLYY bad. I got it out but it scared me haha. Did I just not leave it in long enough? it was a small tampon lol

  13. Blood on the string isn’t much of an indicator for me… I have a lot of trouble keeping blood out of my hair (I’m too sensitive to shave down there often), so the string is bound to get a little on it just by being there.

    Most of the tampon brands I’ve used recommend 4-8 hours. I’m pretty wary about the health issues, so I’ve made my absolute maximum 4 hours. I usually change after 3, because that’s when I start feeling wet and uncomfortable.

    I can’t imagine wearing one for 8 hours.