Woman, 31, Was Suffering During Sex. Then, a Nurse Found a Tampon That Had Been Lost in Her Body for Weeks
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- A 31-year-old woman in Essex, England, experienced unusual symptoms including discharge, pain during sex, and fatigue, which were later linked to a tampon lodged inside her for four to six weeks.
- The woman, Hollie Smith, initially noticed brown discharge and a copper-like odor during intercourse but attributed these symptoms to her contraceptive implant.
- During a medical checkup, a nurse discovered the retained tampon, which was blackened and causing the early stages of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but potentially fatal condition.
- Smith believes she may have inserted the tampon while intoxicated and forgot about it, and she now avoids tampon use altogether after this frightening experience.
- Medical experts emphasize the importance of awareness around tampon use and the risks of TSS, especially when tampons are left inside for extended periods.
