Yes, tampons can catch menstrual blood clots as they absorb liquid blood, causing clots to stick to or be held within the tampon, but sometimes larger clots might collect above the tampon and fall out, especially with heavier flows; using higher absorbency tampons or pairing them with pads can help manage clots, though menstrual cups are often better for collecting them directly.
If you are wearing a tampon, the clots will either stick to or be absorbed by the tampon.
Free bleeding is completely safe, since it avoids the small risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) linked to leaving a tampon in too long. Instead, you're letting your menstrual blood leave the body the way it naturally does, without inserting anything or relying on disposables.
Cons of using tampons
You know your tampon is full when you feel resistance pulling the string, notice blood on the string or in your underwear, or feel it inside you; however, for hygiene, you should change it every 4-8 hours regardless, as a "dry" tampon (not full) can be uncomfortable to remove, and a full one will leak. The best signs of fullness are leaking (blood on underwear) or the string appearing bloody, indicating it's saturated and needs changing soon.
Heavy periods aren't usually life-threatening, but they can be if you lose too much blood. Bleeding through two or more tampons or pads each hour for two to three hours in a row is a sign that you should see your provider or seek emergency care.
It doesn't mean that that side of you is bleeding; rather, it means that you left the tampon in there long enough to catch only that amount of blood which happened to fall on that side. It's recommended to change your tampon every four to eight hours – more frequently if it's a heavy flow.
And since you've asked, I have to tell you—aside from the risk of TSS from tampons—there really is no “healthier” choice. What is important is proper use and comfort. You should change your tampons ever 4-6 hours and pads every 2-4 hours.
The main concern with a lost tampon is toxic shock syndrome (TSS). This is very rare but can cause death. You should change your tampon regularly — around every 4 to 6 hours depending on your flow. Most tampon manufacturers advise that a tampon shouldn't be left in for more than 8 hours.
Use of period products
However, urine leaks when using a tampon could also be a sign of bladder prolapse, also known as a cystocele. This is a condition where weakened vaginal walls cause the bladder to shift from its normal position.
If you have to change your pad or tampon less than every 1 to 2 hours because it's soaked, bleed longer than 7 days, or you pass clots the size of a quarter or larger see your healthcare provider. Spotting or bleeding between periods is also a sign of a problem.
The three most common menstrual products in Korea are disposable pads, liners, and tampons. The most commonly used of the three are pads.
Period cramps are basically the same contractions that accompany giving birth, just less intense. Free bleeding helps to ease these period cramps. How? We believe it's because you let your body do what it's supposed to do when practising free bleeding.
Large blood clots can be part of a heavy period, which may be a sign of a serious medical issue. When a period is heavier than usual, it also might cause you to soak through one pad or tampon every hour for many hours in a row.
It's not their job and it's beyond their capability. While many have written on the fallacy of using tampons for hemorrhage control and wound packing in massively bleeding wounds,1, 2 there are still those on the internet who continue to endorse this misguided technique.
Menstrual clots resemble pieces of mashed-up red fruit. They can be bright red or burgundy and may vary in size. They are usually mixed with liquid blood. The longer the blood stays inside the uterus, the darker it is in color, and the likelier it is to form clots.
Overnight rules don't change: 8 hours is the absolute maximum, even if you're sleeping. Don't sleep in a tampon longer than this, as extended wear raises your risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and other health issues. If your sleep schedule makes this tricky, consider using pads or period underwear overnight instead.
vomiting and diarrhoea. severe pain in your arms or legs, or all over your body. a rash that feels rough like sandpaper – the rash may look red, which can be harder to see on brown or black skin. the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, tongue and the whites of your eyes turn bright red.
You know your tampon is full when you feel resistance pulling the string, notice blood on the string or in your underwear, or feel it inside you; however, for hygiene, you should change it every 4-8 hours regardless, as a "dry" tampon (not full) can be uncomfortable to remove, and a full one will leak. The best signs of fullness are leaking (blood on underwear) or the string appearing bloody, indicating it's saturated and needs changing soon.
OEKO-TEX®, a globally recognized independent research and test institute, granted Tampax tampons the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. This means that every component of the product was tested for up to 1,000 harmful substances, including heavy metals, and succeeded in meeting the stringent safety criteria.
While it is not recommended to swim with a sanitary pad in place, both tampons and menstrual cups are completely safe to use internally. Many competitive swimmers use these options when participating in practices or events on their period. Period-friendly swimwear has also recently entered the market as an option.
The tampon isn't inserted correctly
Sometimes a leaky tampon can mean you haven't pushed it far enough into the vaginal canal or if you've inserted it at an awkward angle it may not effectively prevent leaks.
Blood can sit in the vagina when you are lying or sitting down. If that happens and you get up, you can feel a gush, which is normal. Some women also experience a gush when coughing, sneezing or laughing.
That, paired with a tiny tear from something like pulling out a dry tampon before it's saturated with blood, can introduce the bacteria into the body. "Use the lowest absorbent type of tampon necessary for your flow," Tyson suggests, to avoid bacteria growth and micro-tears in the vaginal wall.