If you forget to change your pad or tampon for longer than recommended, don’t panic! With pads, the main issue is discomfort and possible leaking. Change it as soon as you remember. With tampons, leaving one in too long (more than 8 hours) increases the small risk of an infection called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). If you left a tampon in overnight or for many hours, change it right away. If you feel sick (fever, dizziness, rash), tell a parent and see a doctor. Setting phone reminders can help you remember!
What can help:
What to know
- Set alarms on your phone to remind you
- Change pads every 4-6 hours, tampons every 4-8 hours
- Don’t panic if you forget occasionally
- Know the signs of TSS (fever, dizziness, rash) just in case
Everyone forgets sometimes – just change it when you remember and move on!
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