Wait, can you pee with a tampon in it?

OK, but is it safe or sanitary? Read on to hear what the experts have to say.

Why you can pee with a tampon in it

It is physically possible to pee and put on a tampon at the same time. It is mainly due to the body’s natural design. For those of you who are a little familiar with Anatomy 101, here’s a quick refresher. Pee comes out through the urethra (a hollow tube that connects to the bladder and releases urine outside the body), while menstrual blood comes out through the vagina. . In other words, these are two different holes. Therefore, inserting a tampon into your vagina will not affect your ability to pee.

Still, whether you use a tampon to pee is entirely up to you. If you’re not interested, take out the old tampon after peeing and insert a new one.

Is it safe or sanitary to pee with a tampon in it?

Even if your anatomy allows it, you may wonder if it’s sanitary to pee with a tampon in it. Our experts give their opinion. “It’s safe and sanitary to pee with a tampon in,” says Cheryl A. Ross, MD, OB. She is a gynecologist and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. period. That’s because urine is so clean, she says. Although not 100% germ-free, urine usually contains low levels of bacteria, even from healthy people. In fact, newer evidence suggests that the bladder microbiome may contain similar bacteria to the vaginal microbiome, according to a March 2022 study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. has been.

So even if you get a little pee on your tampon string, it’s NBD. This “should not cause an infection,” Dr. Ross says. But if you don’t like the idea of ​​wet underwear, Dr. Ross recommends moving the laces to the side while you urinate.

However, in some cases, you may need to be careful when urinating while using a tampon. For example, “If you have any signs or symptoms of a urinary tract or vaginal infection, such as vaginal discharge, odor, pain, urinary urgency, or frequency, avoid using tampons (completely) until you seek medical treatment.” ‘You may want to talk to your health care provider,’ says Dr. Ross.

Now, what about poop?

We know it’s okay to pee with a tampon in, but can you also poop? The short answer is yes. Anatomically, the vagina and anus are two different orifices, so it’s physically possible to defecate while wearing a tampon. That said, there are some hygiene considerations to keep in mind if you decide to keep your tampon in.

First, the tampon may come off slightly due to the strain of pushing out the poop. Although the vagina and the butthole are separated, they are still next to each other. The vaginal canal and anal canal overlap. Therefore, if you strain while defecating, the force of the pressure may partially push the tampon out (though it’s unlikely to come out completely).

Second, if you get poop on the string, it may contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, if these bacteria enter the vagina (or urethra), they can cause urinary tract infections.

If you want to defecate with your tampon in, here are some ways to keep your tampon sanitary.

Push the string forward to avoid getting poop on it Wash your hands after pooping and before inserting a new tampon Change the tampon if the string gets poop on it

Hygiene tips to follow when using tampons

Although it’s usually safe to pee with a tampon in, it’s a smart idea to take some precautions to stay hygienic. Dr. Ross’s top hygiene tips for tampon wearers include:

Practice good hand hygiene: Bacteria can enter the vagina (or urethra) from your hands, so it’s best to keep your hands clean when handling tampons. “As long as you wash your hands before and after inserting a tampon, the risk of infection is minimal,” Dr. Ross says. Change your tampons often: Aim to change your tampons every 4 to 6 hours. Ross says wearing tampons for long periods of time (usually more than eight hours) can increase your risk of bacterial and yeast infections and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Being too lenient about how long you leave your tampon in can cause irritation of your vulva (also known as the outer part of your genitals, which includes the inner and outer labia). Choose the right absorbency. “It’s also important to choose the right size tampon depending on your blood flow,” says Dr. Ross. “If you have low menstrual blood flow, choose a smaller tampon. If you have heavy bleeding, use a more absorbent tampon,” she added.

conclusion

Peeing with a tampon is completely safe and hygienic (as long as you take a few simple precautions, like washing your hands every time you touch a tampon). Wetting the string with urine does not increase the risk of infection. However, if you already have an infection, such as a urinary tract infection or yeast infection, it’s best to (temporarily) stop using tampons until your symptoms go away.

At the end of the day, whether a tampon stings or not is a matter of preference. If you feel comfortable, go ahead. If not, remove the tampon after peeing and put a new one in. Not a fan of tampons to begin with? From maxi pads to reusable period underwear and menstrual cups, “there are many ways to collect blood during menstruation,” Dr. Ross says. “Empower and educate yourself about all feminine hygiene options,” she added, to find what’s best for you.