Do you sleep in tampons?

[Nooknookmom]

I have been on the board 100yrs but still can't properly start a poll. SO, do you sleep in tampons?

Um tmi maybe:

My mom always told me not to bc of TSS. I know the recommended usage time has been extended BUT my next door neighbor had TSS & was hospitalized for 2 weeks and was very very sick. Until then I kinda blew it off as "oh that won't EVER happen"....

I hate pads. I don't like feeling icky when I wake up. I usually won't wear a tampon all night unless I am too lazy to deal with a pad or we are on vacation with hubby's family and in a setting where I can't run to the bathroom and "clean up" kwim?

Just curious if its am age thing too (I'm old-ER ;)).

[Tondi G]

I have always slept with a tampon on. I can't deal with pads. Only time I have worn them is post partum!

[elektra]

I have always slept with a tampon on. I can't deal with pads. Only time I have worn them is post partum!

:Yeahthat:
I also tried a cup, partially because you can leave it in longer. But I didn't like it. (I could feel it which was really annoying. )

[nfowife]

Yes. Then again I never get more than 8 hours sleep so it isn't that long.

[egoldber]

Yes. And TMI, now things are so heavy I need both at times.

[brittone2]

I have, but I remember in high school having to be aware of it. I remember being so tired on weekends and looking at the clock thinking about getting up to change it vs. continuing to sleep in. That's one thing I love about using the diva, in addition to the fact that on lighter flow days I can leave it in for 10 hrs or so and not think about it.

[JBaxter]

I have always slept with a tampon on. I can't deal with pads. Only time I have worn them is post partum!

This is me also. I did a diva cup for a bit when my cycles where insanely heavy but I'm back to Tampax.

[wellyes]

When I wore tampons I did, always.
I thought the risk was from really high absorbancy tampons worn a long time? Like 24 hours+.
I can't see how 8ish hours of a tampon at night could be risky.

And yes, now I wear a cup and it's better.

[JBaxter]

I was always told TSS was worse if you changed brands often. Little OT but when I first started working one of my patients told me about her DIL Her husband didn't know what was wrong called the ambulance they accused of her of being on drugs and was blowing off her symptoms turns out she had TSS and was admitted to the hospital for 2 weeks. I was in my 20's before I even heard of TSS I'd been using tampons exclusively for 10 yrs by then.

[Philly Mom]

I have always slept with a tampon on. I can't deal with pads. Only time I have worn them is post partum!

Exactly.

[Momit]

I find that the Party in My Pants cloth pads feel less icky than regular disposable pads. I heard a story about a friend of a friend with TSS when I was in high school and have avoided tampons for anything other than swimming because of that.

[Mommy_Mea]

I always have. my periods have always been heavy, and so pads were never reliable when laying down. And since DS2 they are so heavy the first day I need to wear both at night, and still cross my fingers.

[lizzywednesday]

No, I'm too paranoid about TSS.

[babyonway]

When I wore tampons I did, always.
I thought the risk was from really high absorbancy tampons worn a long time? Like 24 hours+.
I can't see how 8ish hours of a tampon at night could be risky.

And yes, now I wear a cup and it's better.


This is me!

[brittone2]

I doubt 8 hrs in statistically risky, but when I was in high school all of the info at that time was that you should not exceed 8 hrs. I don't know if there is good data on how long is too long.

[khalloc]

I always did. It baffles me that people still use pads. I got my 1st period in 1991 at age 13 and I've used a tampon since then. I always slept in them. I didnt worry about the time. But I never knew anyone with TSS. Now I have Mirena and rarely get my period.

[lizzywednesday]

I doubt 8 hrs in statistically risky, but when I was in high school all of the info at that time was that you should not exceed 8 hrs. I don't know if there is good data on how long is too long.

That's part of where the paranoia comes from, actually.

I know, intellectually, tampons now are a lot different from the tampons in which TSS ran rampant, but it's very difficult for me to give tampons overnight a chance because of that early information.

That said, if I could get over my paranoia about TSS, I'd totally use tampons overnight. Pads, even "overnight" pads, simply don't provide enough of the right kind of protection for me overnight on heavy days.

[kdeunc]

I remember hearing about TSS when I was a teen but I still only wear tampons, day and night. I hate pads in general but especially overnight. They don't offer enough protection.

[wendibird22]

I have always slept with a tampon on. I can't deal with pads. Only time I have worn them is post partum!

:yeahthat:
Never had a problem.

[div_0305]

What Beth said.:ROTFLMAO:

[Giantbear]

ummm........

no

[Zukini]

I use them but definitely don't sleep in them. My flow is very heavy, and I often double up with a tampon and a pad, so I "operationally" could not do 6, let alone 8 hours with one. What I have noticed over the years is that if for some reason I use a stronger absorbency than is needed (Super+ on a lighter for me - read "regular flow for normal people" day) or leave it in for too long, I start to get a nasty headache. Its a dull throbbing all over kind of pain that is only relieved by removing the tampon. I don't know if that is related to TSS but it scares me enough to get to the nearest bathroom and remove it immediately.

[almostmom]

I do wear a tampon at night, though I didn't when I was younger. I beleive that tampons are made differently now and the time has been extended to safely being able to wear them for 10-12 hours, or something like that. Anyway, I don't think there is much risk if you put it in when you go to sleep and take it out when you wake. TSS was for extended wear and misuse in that way. I was informed about it when I first used tampons.

[vonfirmath]

I never thought twice about sleeping with tampons. Biggest problem is they might overflow overnight so I had to run to the bathroom in the morning to change!

[boolady]

Yes. And TMI, now things are so heavy I need both at times.

Me, too. I don't have a source for it, but I thought a few years ago, they amended the recommendation to 10 or 12 hours? I also read on the fda website, and I don't want to get into a debate about how much we can trust the fda, so I'm just saying, that they say TSS isn't even really an issue at this point because the kind of fibers that harbor/cause the TSS toxins are no longer used in tampons in the US. I don't know if that's accurate, but I do know that there is no way on earth, especially since having DD, that I could try to sleep even for a few hours without a tampon.

[KLD313]

I do, I really don't worry about TSS. My neighbor wears two at a time and she's a nurse. Lol

[Melaine]

I am another who needs backup so I wear both. It's long and heavy (I'm probably going to get an endo diagnosis before long). So yes, I have always slept with tampons in, although now I sleep with the diva and backup cloth pads (Party In My Pants, like Momit mentioned is GREAT!).

ETA: I've thought about TSS but when you have a 8-10 day heavy cycle and your month is 25-26 days, you really have to get practical and do what you have to do.

[hillview]

I sleep with them in a few nights every cycle, I usually need to get up in the middle of the night and change them so I don't worry.

[twowhat?]

YES for the first couple of nights. In a super duper tampon. My flow is so heavy since having kids that just a pad won't cut it...I have to wear BOTH a super duper tampon and an overnight pad. AND I sleep with a towel underneath me and sometimes all 3 of those safeguards are used.

[AJP]

The first few years I never did. I started using them by the time I was 14. I could never handle the discomfort of a pad. Ugh. Not for me. I probably started sleeping in them by 17 and never went back to pads. Luckily I have no periods now with mirena.

[infomama]

I'm a Diva woman now but prior to....yes. TSS is a staph infection I think. If you change it at bedtime and when you wake I think you will be fine.

[YouAreTheFocus]

I do, I really don't worry about TSS. My neighbor wears two at a time and she's a nurse. Lol

Wait, whuck? Two?? People wear two?

[AnnieW625]

I have in the past, but I don't do it often as I don't mind wearing pads at night once I get home. Since I have had kids my periods have been way heavier during the day than they have been at night so I am fine with a regular extra long thin pad most nights. I do have some overnight long pads as well, but I rarely soak through one of those.

I have never tried a Diva cup because I know that during the day I would probably need spares and cleaning that in the public restroom at work is just not my cup of tea. I go through a super plus tampon every 3 hours most of the first 2 to 3 days of my period.

I have never gotten TSS or known anyone who has gotten TSS either.

[bisous]

Oh yeah. I've always worn only tampons and have no plans to change! Pads are so icky!

[BabbyO]

Nope, never have. My mom warned me about TSS and I've never felt comfortable with sleeping in them. Then about 10 yrs ago I had to have a LEEP and I never could wear tampons after that that were comfortable to me. So I wore pads for years...and yes they can be icky but I just dealt with it. I started wearing a cup about 1 yr ago and now I use that and pads (I still have days where I need both). I've used the cup a few times a night, but not regularly.

[Melaine]

Wait, whuck? Two?? People wear two?

I've done this. You do what you gotta do.

[KLD313]

Wait, whuck? Two?? People wear two?

LOL! Yep, she told me all about it and how she got them in there and I was horrified.

[vonfirmath]

Wait, whuck? Two?? People wear two?

Yes, My mom did. Though I can't quite figure out how.

[american_mama]

No, I generally don't for similar reasons as OP. I always thought you "shouldn't" because of the risk of TSS, and nighttime was an easy time to put up with the feel of pads. But over the last few years, I do occasionally.

I am amazed at the number of people who have never used pads. To me, tampons = more comfort, but high chance of leaks and pads = less comfort, but better coverage and protection. So I use both.

[rachelh]

I have always slept with a tampon on. I can't deal with pads. Only time I have worn them is post partum!

:yeahthat: I do try to put a new one in right before bed and wake up early to take it out. (ie. if I find myself awake at 4-5 in the morning, I would quickly switch it out and go back to bed.)

[queenmama]

My mom made us so paranoid about TSS that I didn't even try tampons until I was off at college. My sister still won't use them. Ridiculous.

I sleep in them. Before I had DD I would keep them in for 10-12 hours at night.

Lara

[abh5e8]

yes, i slept in them when i used them in high school and college. since haveing dc i've switched to a diva cup.

just curious...why is there not a risk of TSS with the diva cup? was/is it something abotu the material of the tampon that causes the risk of TSS?

[cagey]

When I wore tampons I did, always.
I thought the risk was from really high absorbancy tampons worn a long time? Like 24 hours+.
I can't see how 8ish hours of a tampon at night could be risky.

And yes, now I wear a cup and it's better.

this exactly

[BabyBearsMom]

No. I have a Mirena and my flow is so light that I find tampons to be very uncomfortable because they dry you out. I need to look into the cups. Right now, I just wear panty liners.

[Mommy_Mea]

just curious...why is there not a risk of TSS with the diva cup? was/is it something abotu the material of the tampon that causes the risk of TSS?

I was thinking about this too...

[Tea4two]

I have in the past. Often flow is too light at night for a tampon. Haven't started my period yet since having DD. If it is heavier, would have no qualms about wearing one. I don't sleep that long anyway.

[doberbrat]

Cant imagine getting 2 in there. I tried, but the visuals aren't pretty!

I used to but I'd also have to wear a pad to make it through the night. a pad only would never have cut it.

Now I use my diva cup and its awsome.

[Nooknookmom]

Yes. And TMI, now things are so heavy I need both at times.

Ok me too at times! I had always been super erratic and super heavy. Well I feel better if I do sleep with one, seems like its not as scary as mom made it out to be!

I just hate the diaper feeling of a pad and the clean up aftermath!!!

ETA I just remembered (brain fog here), when DD2 was going through her major reflux stage I was so scatterbrained I left one IN for who knows how many days.....whoops. It kinda found its way out ;) & when I told my gyno (i was worried) she laughed so I guess sleeping isn't so bad.

[ZeeBaby]

I sleep in tampons. I never did when I was younger, but since having DDs, my flow has become ridiculous. I use the largest size tampon "ultra" and a super pad from always on my heaviest flow nights. I don't usually sleep comfortably more then 6 hours when I have my cycle, so I am less concerned with TSS.