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Why Does My Tampon Keep Sliding Out After Having a Baby?
Updated: Oct 1
What's the deal with tampons sliding out of your vagina once you become a mom?
Because apparently, after having a baby, things don't always stay where they used to.
Boobs slowly start making their way toward your belly button. The bags under your eyes settle in for the long haul. And then one day you realize your tampon is working its way out before you're anywhere near ready to change it.
Sorry, not sorry for the TMI.
Actually, I don't really believe in TMI when it comes to pelvic health. If we're going to talk about your body, we might as well talk about the whole thing.
So let's talk about tampon sliding out after having a baby, why it happens, and what you can do about it.
First, you're not imagining it.
Pregnancy changes your body whether you deliver vaginally or by C-section.
Your pelvic floor has spent months supporting a growing baby, your organs have shifted, your abdominal wall has stretched, your posture may have changed, and your breathing mechanics can change right along with everything else.
Then you have the birth itself and the recovery that follows.
And postpartum isn't simply about whether your pelvic floor muscles are “strong” or “weak.”
That's a little too simple.
Your fascia and connective tissue may have stretched. You may have some degree of pelvic organ prolapse after childbirth. Your abdominal wall may be working differently. Your diaphragm, abdominals and pelvic floor may not be coordinating the way they did before pregnancy.
Even things like posture, mobility, motor control, and how you manage pressure through your body can affect what's happening down there.
So when you get your period back and suddenly your tampon starts sliding out postpartum, it may not actually be a tampon problem.
It may be your body giving you some information.
5 Things to Try When Your Tampon Is Sliding Out After Having a Baby
1. Pay attention to the angle and placement.
Navigating the vaginal canal with a tampon can feel a little like scuba diving for a rare pearl while blindfolded.
Okay, maybe that's dramatic.
But seriously, your vaginal canal isn't a straight shot up. And your anatomy may feel different after pregnancy and birth.
Try experimenting with the angle when you insert your tampon. A slight change in direction may make a surprisingly big difference in comfort and how well it stays in place.
Your pelvis isn't identical to anyone else's, so don't assume there is one “correct” angle that works for everyone.
And if you've tried different angles and it still feels like your tampon is making a run for freedom, keep reading.
2. Make sure you're using the right size and absorbency.
Bigger isn't automatically better.
Tampon absorbency should match your flow, and you shouldn't choose a higher absorbency simply because you're hoping it will stay in better.
That said, if you're using a very slim tampon and have a heavier flow, you may find that a different size feels more secure.
The goal isn't to shove the biggest tampon possible up there and hope for the best.
It's to find something that fits your anatomy, matches your flow, and feels comfortable.
And if the tampon is consistently sliding down even when you're using an appropriate size and inserting it comfortably, that's worth paying attention to.
3. Don't automatically assume you need to “strengthen your pelvic floor.”
This is where I want to challenge the advice you may see all over the internet.
A postpartum tampon sliding out does not automatically mean you have a weak pelvic floor.
And pelvic floor problems aren't always a simple matter of either “too tight” or “too weak.”
Yes, sometimes strengthening is part of the solution. I absolutely prescribe pelvic floor contractions when they're appropriate for the person in front of me.
But I'm looking at the whole system.
How is your body aligned?
Where is your pelvis sitting?
Can your ribs expand and lift away from your pelvis when you breathe, or are you living in a more compressed position through your back body?
Are your abdominals, diaphragm and pelvic floor coordinating well?
How are you managing pressure when you cough, lift, exercise, poop or move?
Do you have the mobility and motor control you need?
Is there prolapse or another change in pelvic support?
All of these pieces can influence how your pelvic floor functions.
So instead of thinking, “My tampon is falling out, therefore I need to do more Kegels,” think bigger.
Your pelvic floor is part of a system.
4. Pay attention to pressure, heaviness and other postpartum symptoms.
Sometimes the tampon is actually giving you a clue.
If you notice your tampon sliding down along with things like:
Vaginal pressure or heaviness
A feeling of something falling or bulging
Urinary leaking
Difficulty controlling gas or bowel movements
Changes in bowel movements
Back, hip or pelvic pain
Symptoms that get worse after standing, exercising or being on your feet
A feeling that your pelvic floor isn't supporting you the way it used to
…it may be worth looking beyond the tampon itself.
Pelvic organ prolapse is one possible reason an internal menstrual product may not stay where you expect it to.
But again, prolapse isn't the only explanation, and your symptoms don't tell the whole story by themselves.
This is where an individualized postpartum pelvic floor assessment can be really helpful.
5. Try a different menstrual product.
Sometimes the answer really is: your tampon just isn't the right menstrual product for your postpartum body.
If you've tried different tampon sizes and placement and it still isn't working, you have other options.
Menstrual discs postpartum can be a great alternative for some people because they sit differently in the vagina than a tampon or menstrual cup. The rim sits behind the pubic bone, which can help a disc stay in place for many people.
But—and this is important—a disc isn't guaranteed to work for everyone with prolapse or pelvic floor changes.
I've had patients with prolapse who found that a disc worked beautifully, and others whose anatomy caused the disc to shift or slide out.
That's the theme of menstrual products postpartum in general:
There isn't one product that's right for every body.
Menstrual cups are another option, although they can feel very different postpartum. The fit, firmness, length and suction can all affect how a cup feels, particularly if your anatomy has changed.
And if internal products simply aren't comfortable anymore?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with going external.
Period underwear and pads are both perfectly legitimate options, and sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.
When a Sliding Tampon May Be a Postpartum Pelvic Floor Issue
If your tampon occasionally shifts a little, you may simply need to experiment with placement or try another product.
But if your tampon is consistently sliding out after birth, especially if you're also noticing pressure, heaviness, leaking, or other changes in how your pelvic floor feels, I'd encourage you to look at the bigger picture.
Your body has changed.
That doesn't mean something is wrong with you.
It means your postpartum pelvic floor may need a little different support than it did before pregnancy.
And this applies whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section. Pregnancy itself places demands on your abdominal wall, pelvic floor, connective tissue and posture. A C-section can add another layer of considerations, including scar tissue and changes in how your abdominal wall, diaphragm and pelvic floor coordinate.
Your body is a system.
We can't always fix one piece without looking at how the rest of the system is moving, breathing and managing pressure.
You don't have to figure it out alone.
If you're frustrated because your tampon won't stay where it's supposed to, you don't necessarily need to spend the next six months buying different period products after having a baby and hoping one magically solves the problem.
And you definitely don't have to assume the answer is simply “do more Kegels.”
If you're dealing with postpartum changes like leaking, pressure, prolapse
symptoms, pelvic pain, changes in bowel or bladder function, or just a general feeling that your body isn't working the way it used to, those are things we can work on together.
A postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy session can help us look at the whole picture—your posture, breathing, abdominal and pelvic floor coordination, mobility, strength, pressure management, and the way your body is moving as a whole.
You don't have to wait until something is really bothering you to get help.
Your postpartum body isn't broken.
It's just different. And you deserve to understand how it works.
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