Here's how long you can actually leave a tampon in

Marcos Brindicci/Reuters

• It's common to keep tampons in for longer than tampon box instructions say — but doctors say that's not a great idea.
• If a tampon stays in the vagina for too long, it can cause healthy bacteria to become dangerous.
• Doctors recommend changing tampons every four to eight hours to prevent excessive bacteria growth, which can cause bacterial vaginosis or, in some cases, toxic shock syndrome.

All tampon users know that you're supposed to change your tampon periodically, which, according to tampon manufacturers, is every eight hours. But sometimes, life gets in the way of your changes: You're wearing a jumpsuit and don't feel like going to the bathroom; you're stuck on a long car ride and don't want to stop; or you're just feeling lazy and forget to go to the bathroom while binge-watching "Terrace House" for 10 hours straight. Even though you may be able to pull off wearing the same tampon for more than the allotted time, that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Normally, your vagina contains a certain amount of bacteria, which helps it stay balanced and happy. But if the bacteria suddenly gets more nutrients and grows too much, or if it starts growing in places it doesn't belong, then the otherwise healthy bacteria can become dangerous. And, as it turns out, "a blood-soaked tampon that lingers for a long time is like a petri dish for bacteria," says Katharine O'Connell White, MD, MPH, director, Fellowship in Family Planning, department of OB-GYN at Boston University, Boston Medical Center. "All of the sudden, bacteria that wouldn't hurt you on most days has a thriving environment to grow," she says.See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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