5 Tampon Tips Every Girl Should Know – Can a Tampon Get Stuck?

Tampons can be confusing, especially if you’re new to them. There are tampon myths, tampon fears, and some pretty frustrating tampon sizing tricks. Maybe you’ve heard horror stories about tampons getting lost or the tampon string breaking. Or maybe you’ve grabbed the wrong tampon absorbency because the labels make no sense.

5 Tampon Tips, Myths, and Fears

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll break down the biggest tampon myths, share tampon tips, and help you feel more confident using them. No unnecessary fluff, just straight-to-the-point tampon advice.

Can a Tampon Get Stuck?

One of the biggest tampon fears? “What if it gets lost inside me? or it gets stuck?” Let me put your mind at ease—it can’t.

I’ve heard people say, “My friend had to go to the doctor because their tampon got lost!” Nope. It wasn’t lost; it was stuck. There’s a difference.

For example, dropping your phone between the car seat. You might not be able to grab it right away, but you know exactly where it is. The same goes for tampons. The vagina isn’t a bottomless pit—it has an end. If a tampon gets pushed up too far (which is rare), it might sit near the fornix (the top of the vagina), but it’s still inside, not floating around your body.

Another common panic? Forgetting you already took out a tampon. Sometimes, people remove a tampon, toss it, and then freak out, thinking it’s still inside. But a tampon can only be in one of three places: your vagina, the trash, or the toilet. It’s not hiding somewhere else in your body—that’s just not how anatomy works.

The Tampon String Won’t Break

Another worry I hear? “What if the tampon string breaks?” Let’s test it out.

Grab a tampon, unwrap it, and pull on the string as hard as you can. Go ahead, really tug on it.

Did it break? Nope. Tampon strings are designed to handle way more force than your body could ever apply. Even if you’re pulling with both hands, it stays intact. So don’t stress—your tampon won’t get stuck because the string won’t snap.

The Confusing “L” and “S” Tampon Sizing

Tampon sizing can be super misleading. You’d think “L” means large and “S” means small, right? Nope. In the tampon world:

• “L” means light (for a light menstrual flow).
• “S” means super (for a heavy menstrual flow).

So if you pick up an “S” thinking it’s small, surprise! You’ve just grabbed the super absorbency one instead. Meanwhile, the actual small or light-flow tampon is labeled “L.” If you’re ever unsure, double-check the box before buying.

Pro Tip for Bike Riders: Tuck the Tampon String

If you ride a bike, this trick is a game-changer: Tuck the tampon string inside your vagina.

As a mountain biker, it took me years to figure this out. When you’re sitting on a bike seat, the pressure can make the tampon string rub against your skin, which is uncomfortable (and annoying). Tucking it in fixes the problem instantly. No more chafing—just smooth, comfortable rides.

Don’t Flush Tampons

Some tampon brands claim their tampons are “flushable.” Don’t believe them.

Also Read: How to Clean Your Reusable Period Products

I learned this the hard way after dealing with one too many clogged toilets. Even if tampons break down eventually, they can still block pipes and mess up plumbing. The better option? Wrap it in toilet paper and toss it in the trash. Bonus: This also helps control odor.

You might love …