But some manufacturers do include a dateand tampons can expire. A Guide to Postpartum Pads Menstrual Protection After Pregnancy. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. So, what about other period products? Which is healthier to use tampons or pads? Instead, focus more on making sure you know how to properly use a tampon and on protecting yourself from toxic shock syndrome. So Many Benefits Are Packed In These Greens, All the Questions You Definitely Have About How to Use a Menstrual Cup, How to Delay Your Period Safely, According to Ob-gyns, How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Makeup, PSA: This Is How Your Hymen Actually Works, Why Skin Cycling Might Actually Live Up to the TikTok Hype. But if the tampon is obviously compromised, it could have a higher risk of harboring bacteria; that bacteria releases toxins, and when it's absorbed into the body, it can potentially lead to TSS, which can be very damaging." Using your index finger, push the plunger into the applicator as far as it will go until the tampon is released. Oh and next time you buy a new box, keep the receipt and follow these steps to protest the Tampon Tax. Tampons may not truly "expire," but there is one instance in which you should definitely pick up a fresh box. Let's start a new cycle #SheCan linktr.ee/ubykotex "We don't know of any case of people using an expired tampon or one of unknown date and actually suffering from that. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. Fragrance-free, pocket-sized and designed to fit your lifestyle, U by Kotex tampons feature a smooth tip for quick and comfortable insertion and go from compact to full-sized period protection in one easy step. TSS is a rare but serious infection caused by toxins (TSST-1) produced by certain strains of a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (staph)1 . But they do have a shelf life or the length of time that the product can perform as expected and meet quality standards when stored properly, a determined by the manufacturer, says Dr. Kimble. The vagina has a very natural well-balanced, delicately balanced microbiome, meaning theres plenty of yeast and bacteria, said Dweck. Tampons are safe to wear for up to 8 hours but should be changed at the 8-hour mark, if not earlier. That is to say, it would happen on the inside of the tampon, where you cant see it before you insert it into your vagina.. As such, when tossing tampons in your backpack, tote, or purse, consider putting them in their own pouch. Kotex recently revealed to the public that they would discontinue their tampon range. Period stigmas are the old cycle. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Most tampons have a lifetime of five years. Tampons are considered medical devices, so theyre regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When looking at a tampon box, there are generally two dates listed: the manufacture date and the expiration date. Youll also learn about the. Tampons actually have an expiration date, and using them after theyve expired can have consequences for your vagina that youd surely rather avoid. Get it daily. The bottom line is to follow the old saying: When in doubt, throw it out. Expiration Date. "Mould can be hidden on the applicators which may lead to irritating symptoms and infection.". It isn't so clear-cut. You cant always rely on visible signs that a tampon has gone bad. Anyone with a period may be looking for a sustainable way to manage menstruation. No Expiration On Package. Lets explore. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for U By Kotex Super Security Tampons Super Absorbency Unscented 16 ct New at the best online prices at eBay! No. Tampons have an expiry date most women havent noticed and heres what happens if you use them too late, Im part of the saggy boob club & I dont care if mine arent perky I have a bikini hack to make them look amazing, Charles and Camilla help create dish to mark his big day that they hope will be the new coronation chicken, I used B&M buys to convert my new build into a Love Island-style villa with a fire pit - trolls say its tacky, whatever, I'm a charity shop pro & theres a UK store to head to if you want the best bargains - plus the section to race to first, I popped into Morrisons on a whim and left with a giant haul for just 24, itll fill my freezer for the month, People are only just realising theres a bat on Bacardi bottles and what the secret logo actually stands for. Use the lowest absorbency tampon thats recommended for your menstrual flow. The length of time you can sleep with a tampon in is the same as the length of time you can be awakewith one - a maximum of 8 hours! "Old, expired tampons may be discolored and have mold," Fraser says. For other inquiries, Contact Us. If youre experiencing these symptoms and they dont seem to be going away, make an appointment with a healthcare provider to get things checked out. Tampons are safe to wear for up to 8 hours but should be changed at the 8-hour mark, if not earlier. In the event of accidentally leaving a tampon in for over 8 hours and experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention immediately. Tampax tampons display an expiry date on all boxes. When you find an expired carton of half-and-half in the back of the fridge or an untouched tube of sunscreen in your bathroom cupboard, you probably toss them in the trash without giving it a second thought. Rest assured (pun intended) that if tampons are your preferred period protection you can sleep with one in for up to 8 hours . This means bacteria and mold can grow if theyre not stored properly. Skip to Main Content; . When hearing the term shelf life, people commonly think of food items or medicationbut what about tampons? Tampax Radiant tampons, for example, have a shelf life of three years when stored in a cool, dry place, and Tampax Pearl and Cardboard varieties can last five years, according to the P&G information. It isn't so clear-cut. There also aren't any industry standards detailing the information (think: production date, a "best by" date) that needs to be included on every tampon box, she says. Were here to tell you that like so many questions that people with periods have, the answer is twofold: yes, with the right information you can, and you have options! Tampons are regulated as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but unlike your favorite protein bar or the ibuprofen you take to ease a headache, menstrual products aren't required to have an expiration date listed on the packaging, says Dr. Kimble. Tampons are comprised of cotton, rayon, or a blend of both, Dr. Javaid explains. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. They should be stored in a cool dark place and kept in the original packaging, Dr. Javaid says. Tampons often come with an applicator made of cardboard or plastic which makes inserting the tampon easier. TSS is a rare bacterial infection that is sometimes but not always associated with tampon use. If the wrapper is slightly torn, but the tampon and applicator is still protected, that may still be good. Your email address will not be published. Then remove the applicator and throw it away. Our editors independently select these products. Can a Tampon Get Stuck? When it comes to menstrual products expiration dates, however, we probably dont need to worry too much. "Avoid using tampons in broken wrappers.". Tampax tampons display an expiry date on all boxes. Registered Trademark Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc. or its affiliates., KCWW. And there's no need to go chucking out last month's leftovers, because the lifespan of a tampon is about five years. A Guide to Postpartum Pads Menstrual Protection After Pregnancy. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Well go over why this isnt as serious as it sounds and tell you how to safely remove it yourself at home. But anyway, the gist of it is that its definitely okay to use a tampon even if youre coming to the end of your period. Good question! They may prescribe an antibiotic to clear any possible infection. We love that for you! The shelf life of tampons is about five years provided theyre left in the package undisturbed and not exposed to excessive moisture. However, this should resolve itself as the vagina returns to its natural pH levels after your period. Mold isnt always visible and may be hidden by the applicator. Those that do, however, often recommend an expiration or use-by date of three years from manufacture. 2023Well+Good LLC. As if mold isnt enough to deter you, allow us to be even more clear. It's also worth noting that organic tampon companies don't have to state the expiry date. Generally speaking, the most important thing to know about the topic of tampon expiration dates is that its less about how long ago you purchased your last box of tampons and more about how youve stored them since stocking up. Its possible the risk would go up a bit, said Dweck. The numbers are stamped on and can sometimes be hard to read or find depending on where they were placed. Are Organic Tampons Actually Better Than Regular Tampons? 2009 - 2023 MindBodyGreen LLC. What is toxic shock syndrome and is it caused by tampons? Home About Us Remember, wearing the lightest absorbency flow tampon available helps prevent any issues from tampon use. in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and has previously written for Tribeza magazine. This does not mean it will only last for that amount of time, but that we know it will work as intended for that period of time. Kimberly-Clark makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. Carefree states that their tampons dont have an expiry date and should last for a long time if you store them in a dry place. You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cutting-edge wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content. Unlike skinny jeans 'slim' means comfortable, so that makes them so much easier to use. In related news, hardly any women know what this symbol on their make-up means and its REALLY important. You can use tampons from the beginning to the end of your period, even if that means youre using a tampon a minute before your period actually ends. If you experience any uncomfortable or unpleasant symptoms after using a tampon, make an appointment with your doctor. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesnt require expiration dates for tampons, board-certified gynecologist Somi Javaid, MD, says that, in general, the tampons are considered usable for up to five years. Ive seen this in actual day-to-day practice, said Alyssa Dweck, MD, a gynecologist in New York and the author of The Complete A to Z For Your V. Women think theyre in menopause or perimenopause and go ten months without a period and thensurprise, surprise, she said. The shelf life of organic tampons is also believed to be about five years, because cotton is susceptible to bacteria and mold. So, if you use Tampax, theres no guesswork involved. If I am at the end of my cycle and want to go swimming, that is what I choose. If you realize youve used an expired tampon, or had to use a tampon with a slightly ripped wrapper in a pinch, dont panic. This doesn't mean your tampons need to be thrown out the moment the shelf life is up, but rather they might not work as well after that period of time, according to information published on P&G's website. By Kotex Regular Tampons give you all the protection you need in a slim and comfortable design. To better understand what that means, women's health experts break down everything there is to know about tampon storage and shelf life. A funky smell would also, of course, be a sign that this tampon should stay far away from your vagina. With this in mind, board-certified gynecologist Staci Tanouye, MD, says that its important to always inspect your tampons prior to insertion. Symptoms of TSS usually develop within 3-5 days4 . Lastly there is a string attached to the tampon that remains outside of your body after you have inserted the tampon so you can easily remove it. Same goes with pads. Organic pads and organic tampons are generally made of 100% cotton or, in the case of pads, bamboo. Tampons are sanitary products, but theyre not packaged and sealed as sterile products. Abby Moore is an editorial operations manager at mindbodygreen. 2,044 talking about this. The period tracker can also help you calculate your ovulation date! in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and has previously written for Tribeza magazine. Bacteria thrive in wet, moist places, says womens health specialist Sara Youngblood, CNP. You can also buy small bags made for wrapping tampons or pads in before disposal. Finally, mold may be obscured in tampons with an applicator, so look for other signs like moisture or a lack of proper packaging. If you use a brand that doesnt show an expiry date, mark your packages with the month and date of purchase especially if you buy in bulk. It's best to toss the tampon and get a new one. To use or not to use? It may seem that tampons, as wads of mostly-cotton, will never go bad. Enter your email for 25% off your first order. I'm only 13. Know that youll be up with the sun and on the yoga mat before the birds start singing? However, the problem with tampons isn't necessarily how long ago you bought them, but how you've stored them since then. Take this quick quiz to get a personalized recommendation for you!". Bundle Description. If you unwrap a tampon that smells funny or looks discolored or seems anything other than fresh and clean dont use it. We hope that this information will empower you to make decisions that you feel comfortable with in regards to your period protection. Second, avoid the obvious: Of course, it seems logical to store tampons in the bathroom, but this is not the best place because moisture also increases the risk of mold and bacteria. You should also keep them in their original packaging to prevent contamination from perfume, dust, and other debris. Youll need to remove your tampon and seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the symptoms associated with TSS. If your symptoms last more than a few days, see your doctor. Despite being so popular, the brand has discontinued this particular product. Use your judgement here. Pocket-sized and small enough to carry in your purse or pocket, these tampons go from compact to a full-size tampon in one easy step giving you comfortably compact, powerful protection. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Here's what the different period blood colors mean and when to see your doctor. Next time you buy a new box, keep the receipt and follow these steps to protest the tampon about. 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