What to Do If You Get Something Stuck Inside Your Vagina

Sometimes condoms break and slip off during intercourse. Tampons and menstrual cups have also been known to be stubborn. And if you’ve ever had the unpleasant experience of getting something stuck in your vagina (or, maybe worse, in the other hole), rest assured, you are not alone. In fact, it’s probably more common than you realize.

We all know there are certain objects that must go in there. There’s no way around it. We have periods, and we want to protect ourselves during sex, and there are products we use in both of those scenarios for reasons of health, comfort, and pleasure. But when these objects become stuck and we aren’t able to remove them on our own, it can be incredibly scary. That’s why SheKnows spoke with a few experts who can tell you exactly what to do (and what not to do) if this happens to you.

Don’t worry — it’s not going anywhere

Dr. Laura Hagopian is an emergency room physician who has seen her share of vaginal foreign bodies. First, she wants to assure you the object can’t get very far and says, “The vagina ends at the cervix (bottom of the uterus), so foreign bodies generally have nowhere to go but stay in the vaginal canal.” So, don’t worry — it can’t make its way through your body never to be found again. It will come out one way or another.

Hagopian says she usually sees women who come in because a condom has come off during intercourse and the patient can’t remove it. But she’s also seen small children who have put toys in their vagina or women who have inserted garlic cloves to try and fight off an infection.

“I’ve also seen patients who have multiple tampons in their vaginas,” she says. “Sometimes, they forget to take them out and add more in.”

Should I try to get it out on my own?

Dr. Jennifer Wilder, who specializes in women’s health, says if you get something such as a tampon or condom stuck, you can safely try to get it out on your own.

“Squatting often helps, but do not insert any object into the vagina to try to retrieve it. It can do more harm than good. You can end up injuring yourself and/or causing an infection,” she adds.

What’s OK to put in your vagina — and what isn’t?

Dr. Hagopian advises that you should never put anything in your vagina that isn’t supposed to be there, such as fruits, vegetables, and sharp or fragile objects. And yes, we know that using food items as homemade sex toys can be fun, but it’s worth keeping in mind that this is not technically recommended by doctors and carries risk of infection or injury. If this is something you choose to experiment with, make sure to “clean thoroughly, check for sharp edges or nubs, and use a condom to cover any part that goes inside your body,” sex coach Jenna Switzer told SheKnows in a previous interview.

Fingers, penises, sex toys, tampons or “medications that are given intravaginally,” like creams or suppositories, are OK to enter your vagina, Dr. Hagiopan says. Sex toys designed for intravaginal use, like dildos and some vibrators, are also OK as long as they’re made from a non-porous material like silicone, body-safe metal alloys like titanium, aluminum blends, stainless steel, or glass. Cleaning your sex toys after use is also a must.

You should also know vaginal foreign bodies — even the safe ones, like sex toys, tampons, and menstrual cups — should never stay inside you longer than they have to, as they can cause infection, irritation and vaginal odor.

When should I see a doctor?

It’s a good idea to head to the doctor if you’re not able to get the object out on your own. You should also consult a doctor if the object is big or broken, Dr. Hagopian says, because it could break further and make the situation worse. Let the experts handle it instead.

We know it’s not the most comfortable conversation to have with your MD, but Dr. Wilder and Dr. Hagopian want you to remember these doctors have seen it all and your doctor’s office is a no-shame zone! There is no need to delay a visit because you are embarrassed. Your health is much more important than your pride (not that the latter should be bruised by getting help!) — and medical professionals will not judge you or ask too many questions. They will be able to remove it and give you any additional care you need without judgment.

A version of this story was published November 2017.

Before you go, check out 100 of these (totally vagina-safe) toys that you can put around, in and near your vulva: