Ok, I screwed up. First let me tell you that I have Polycystic ovarian syndrome, so generally off the pill I do not ovulate/have periods. Secondly, when I do they last about a day, and are very light. Well it came on yesterday and, as my little girl was ill (ironic, huh) I was extra stressed and actually bled normally for a day so. . .I put in a tampon. I don't know the strength, I think "medium". Well anyway, stupid me literally forgot it was there and it was in from about 8:00 p.m.-ish till 9:00 this morning - plus my hubby and I did the horozontal tango last night (was wondering why my body wasn't responding to him re: excitement moisture - um, now I know!!). Cant find any info about prolonged tampon use with intercourse and risks of TSS. I did read, though, that symptoms can appear quickly or within a month. Probably not at risk, but considering my luck... Anyone with any words of wisdom?? I'll admit I'm glad that I found the reason for my apparent non-excitement, but after the HAHA Thats What Happened - It's Not Me Or Him moment. . came the OH NO moment. Help.

Lisa-Ann
I don't think you have anything to worry about after that short a time, even with the "horizontal tango"!
The ingredients that promoted TSS are no longer used in tampons anyway, so the risk has dramatically decreased.

Perhaps this site can put your mind at ease:

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/200_tss.html

I do know that once or twice I let my Protection in longer than I should have (fogetting it) and I ended up with a Yeast Infection. TSS is evident within a fairly short time.

I don't think 11 hours overnight is an excessively long time to leave a tampon in place. You were lucky, however, that you didn't lose the string for removal during your "dancing." I can't think of any woman I know who has even heard of anyone who got TSS.

(Remember the Rely tampons from the '80's??)

Hope this is helpful.

I don't think you have any thing to worry about. I have left mine in overnight when I slept for a long time and had no problems. I don't see why sex with a tampon in place would cause TSS. I think it would have just made sex not as good. If you are feeling fine by now I would not worry. Many people have forgot and left their tampons in. They have even come to the ER because they lost one and can't get it out. Could you imagine that, I couldn't do that. Take care!

I've heard of stories (haven't we all) and actually knew a guy whose job it was to analyze foreign objects removed from certain cavities...the oddest one was a large orange crayon removed from the bladder of an older gentleman...imagine that ...