Can you die from putting a tampon in?!

There is something called Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) which is caused when a specific strain of staphylococcus aureus bacteria overgrows and starts releasing exotoxin TSST-1 into your bloodstream, it's essentially blood poisoning caused by a toxin which makes your body to go into shock so shutting down and damaging your organs.

Tampons account for 70% of all TSS cases, and it can kill you if not treated soon enough or if you're immune system is weakened - if you recover it can leave you with long-term health problems. It is rare but no where near as rare as people seem to think, it's also on the rise because women are becoming more complacent about following precautions to lessen their risks.

TSS is a risk with tampons because tampons encourage bacterial growth, prevent vaginal cleaning, effect vaginal pH, and damage vaginal walls. TSS risks are increased from misusing tampons, such as leaving tampons in too long which means bacteria have longer to multiply within your vagina, or if removed too soon so causing friction from dryness against vaginal walls which increases damage giving toxins a more direct route into the body.

TSS is NOT caused only by leaving tampons in longer than 8 hours.
Tampons need to be changed every 4-6 hours, 8 hours is suggested by tampon companies to make their products seem more convenient, not because it's safe, the longer you leave tampons the longer you give bacteria to grow so the greater the risk - also if you can leave 8 hours you're using too high an absorbency which also increases risk. Bacteria don't wear watches, it can start overgrowing and producing toxins at any time, in many cases TSS occurs within just 2 hours.

Tampons have also been linked to cancer through use of bleaching on some brands of tampons, the bleaching process can lead to tampons containing the toxin dioxin - although the major cause of this was banned, modern bleaching methods and chemicals used in some tampons may mean tampons contain toxins that are then going into your body and collecting, which may pose long-term risks.

Tampons are the only menstrual option to have caused deaths - during the 1980's especially tampon companies knowingly used ingredients that increased TSS risks which cost thousands of women their lives, much like they used chlorine gas bleaching in the 1990's knowing that it was increasing risk of cancer. Many brands still use ingredients that increase health risks.

Tampon Alert - http://www.tamponalert.org.uk
Tampon Health Web Site - http://www.spotsite.org
TSS Informaiton Service - http://www.toxicshock.com

The only way you can die from a tampon is from toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which is caused by leaving a tampon in for too long (more than 4-8 hours, different people say different things). A type of bacteria begins to grow on it which could possible cause TSS. However, her chances of developing this or dying from it are extremely rare, and there are very few cases of TSS any more. There's no reason to worry. :)

EDIT: Also, Konrad is wrong. The gyurema artery doesn't exist, and you won't get decreased libido, aneurysms, etc, from putting a tampon in the wrong way. The only thing you'll feel is discomfort if it's going in wrong.

Nursing student.

Leaving a tampon in too long is definitely not good for you, the warnings are right on the box and papers inside.. Wearing a tampon for 8 hours is the maximum, after than you're more likely to get what's called TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) which is a disease you can get which MAY result in death. So yes, in ways, she's correct. It's also always best to talk to a doctor before using tampon's to make sure you can (some women can't use them). TSS, is rare, but it does happen, so you should always be on the safe side and change them atleast every 6-8 hours. Hope this helps.

Tampon packages.

NO you cant die from putting it in.
BUT if you wear tampons then only buy the regular unscented tampons.you can get toxic shock syndrome from the scented kinds.and if you ignore it, it is very dangerous and it can be fatal.some girls have died from toxic shock so be careful.that dose not mean you cant wear tampons.just buy the regular,unscented tampons.

In rare cases there have been times where a female has inserted the tampon incorrectly. This causes blood clots in the vaginal region, more specifically in the gyurema artery. This can lead to decreased libido, brain aneurysms, heart defects, and even death. I recommend you properly learn how to insert the tampon, from one of your friends.

You can die if you keep in long for loner then 8 hours!! But i have went 9 hours and 30 minutes and i didn't die! There is a thing called TSS (Toxic shock ssyndrome) its very very very very rare and only happens if you keep a tampon in for like wayy over 8 hours! (but only keep one in for 8 hours or less)! Dont worry your fine!!!

You actually can. The tampon box says that you should not leave it in for more than 8 hours MAXIMUM!
It's called Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). There should be information about it in your tampon box. But here is a website on it.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001676
Hope this helped :)

u could only die if u left it in for a VERY long time. like, 3or 4 days straight. u could get tss. toxic shock syndrome. and its very rare. just change them at the most every 8 hours. go to ubykotex.com and theres a lot of stuff on there.

TSD is a disease that affects some girls. It implies very bad things from using tampons, from nausea, felling ill, even death in rare cases.

yeah, if you keep it stuck there for more than 8 hours, you can get TSD, which makes you go into shock or something.

This will help...

http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/tampon.…

I am sure it is not dangerous, unless some girls have died from it, but I highly, highly doubt it.

NO! thats silly, you could get an infection if you left it in there too long. It only supposed to stay until you bleed or up to 4 hours and then change.

nope, only get sick if more then 8 hours, and its called TSS, or toxic shock syndrome. and you recover from it.