Can you safely keep a tampon in longer on lighter flow days?
Health experts recommend changing your tampon every four to eight hours, based on your flow. During heavy bleeding, you might need to change it every three hours. On lighter days, stick to six to eight hours max. Leaving it in longer increases risks like bacterial infections or Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), where bacteria release toxins absorbed into your bloodstream. Known as 'tampon disease,' TSS can be life-threatening if untreated.
On lighter days, it might feel tempting to change less often, but experts advise sticking to the four-to-eight-hour rule for safety.
