So, your teen is new to tampons, and they probably have a ton of questions. One being...Can I sleep with a tampon in? Is it safe? Can I get TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome)? How long can I keep a tampon in?! Well, we have answers for you (and them). Let's dive in!
The short answer is yes, they can sleep with a tampon in, but there is a caveat. They have to be super safe about it and aware of the guidelines. There are also some really great alternatives for sleeping too, that don't require your teen to wear a tampon in bed.
Here are some period tips and rules that every one should know before sleeping with a tampon in:
1. They should change their tampon every 6 to 8 hours. They can put a new one in right before they go to bed, and change it right when they wake up - very important!
2. They should only wear a tampon when they're menstruating. They shoulnd't put a tampon in if they are worried they're about to get your period. Instead, they can wear a pad or try out our one of Kt's leakproof overnight period underwear styles!
3. Use the lowest absorbency tampon as possible. It probably seems best to use the highest absorbency tampon (like a super), but they're probably not going to remember to change it that way. So try using a regular tampon and wear our period proof underwear.
What is Toxic Shock Syndrome?
Chances are if your teen has started to use tampons, they probably have heard about TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome). It is a rare, but very serious staph bacterial infection. Tampons don’t actually cause the infection, but when one is left in too long, it can create the unwanted breeding ground for bacteria that could produce the toxins.
If you want to read more about TSS, and we highly recommend you do, check out our blog post all about it. It’s important for your tween or teen to be responsible and educated to make sure this doesn’t happen to them.
Other Period Protection Options
Don’t forget, there are always other options when exploring period protection like:
- Period proof shorts: Check out our PERIOD PROOF SLEEPOVER SHORTS! These are similar to our Leakproof Underwear, but with a longer liner, so they'll be protected from leaks all night. They absorb up to 12 tampons of liquid, so your teen won't even need to wear a tampon with them.
- Pads: If you’re used to tampons, pads may feel like you’re wearing a diaper, but they're always a good and safe option to fall back on. Did we mention we make reusable pads that hold about 12 tampons worth of blood?!
- Menstrual Cup: Just like a tampon, your teen can insert the cup, but instead of soaking it up, the cup collects the blood and can be worn for up to 12 hours. The bonus? There are no dangers to wearing one..
So, moral of the story, your teen can wear a tampon while you sleep, but they have to be super mindful of the rules. There are a ton of other options that could work better for them. Whatever works best for your child and allows them to be the most comfortable is the way to go!
Need help with tampons in general? Check out our How-To video below and our blog post on how to use a tampon.
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