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Can Tampon Use Increase My Risk For UTI?

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Posted on Thu, 19 Feb 2015
Question: Can tampon use increase my risk for UTI?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for posting your query.

Yes, the possibility of urinary tract infection is more when you use tampons instead of pads.

This is because of the pressure exerted on the urethra due to the presence of the tampon in the vagina, failure to maintain good hygiene in view of the tampon and presence of the tampon for prolonged period which may become unsterile.

If the tampon is changed frequently, regular washing of the parts is done with lukewarm water whenever urine is passed and the the tampon is changed, and a tampon of the correct size is used so as not to pressure the urethra, the risk of infection is negligible.

Hope your query has been clarified. Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be happy to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (42 minutes later)
Can Macrobid cause me permenant damage? I just finished 3 day course for mild uti? Am I going to have nervous system damage?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

It is unlikely that a three-day course could cause permanent damage. There are no documented evidences of such happening with Macrobid anywhere. So, please do not worry.

Please get a follow up with your physician.

Hope your doubt has been answered. Please get back if you need any more information. I will be ready to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (16 minutes later)
What about lung damage
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing again.

Lung problems are usually seen with prolonged use of the medication. Since you have used it for a very short period, it is unlikely for any lung complications to develop.

Hope I have answered your query. Please get back if you need any more suggestions. I will be ready to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (2 hours later)
Can macrobid causr blindness?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, but rare.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

Macrobid can cause blindness, but this happening is very rare and many studies have proven this.

Hope your query has been answered. Please get back if you need any more information. I will be available to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (1 minute later)
When is onset? During the course or delayed onset?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
During the course.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing again.

Blindness has been reported in people aged 60 and above while taking the drug. This is seen in those who have added medical complications like diabetes, high blood pressure, gastro-esophageal reflux disease and multiple sclerosis. The incidence of blindness in studies is 0.53%.

Blindness has not been reported in age groups lesser than 40 years.

Hope your query has been clarified. Please contact if you need any more help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (2 minutes later)
So if I finished 2 days ago, when will it all be out of my system & when will I be in the clear for any side effects?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Very rapid.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The drug has a half-life of 20 minutes to one hour and this means the drug is very rapidly metabolized and is completely out of the system after two hours. So, side effects cannot be expected later on, as they are seen only during treatment.

Hope all your queries have been answered. Please contact if you need any more help.

Wish you good health.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (1 minute later)
So ifs it all out of my system now? No chance of blindness or neuropayhy etc?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing.

You do not have a chance of experiencing any side effects whatsoever as the drug is completely out of your system now. So, please stop worrying and just relax.

Hope all your queries have been answered.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (17 hours later)
I have slightly elevated insulin an i at risk? Stopped macro 4 days ago after 3days
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No risk if insulin levels are managed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

You stand no risk if the insulin levels are managed well within normal limits through dietary changes and if needed, medication. Please get regular monitoring. Take a healthy diet and get regular exercise. You need not worry about the drug causing any further complications as you have used it for very very short term and it is no longer present in your system.

Hope your query has been answered. Please contact if you need any more help.

regards.
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (1 minute later)
Is this insulin resistance?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please furnish details.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I cannot comment further unless you furnish me further details like significant history, clinical findings, lab tests etc.

Hope this helps.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (3 minutes later)
Here they are
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need further evaluation.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

Insulin resistance is likely if prediabetes is diagnosed.

This can be done through tests for HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose test and oral glucose tolerance test. You have normal fasting blood glucose levels but you need to go for the above mentioned tests also to get a diagnosis.

Also, if you are obese, have a strong family history, have other complications like PCOS and CVD, abnormal lipid profiles, the risk is more.

Hope your query has been answered. Please contact if you need any more help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (5 minutes later)
My A1C is 4.2 (endo said it was optimal) The glucose test below was not fasting it was 1hr after eatingz all my random glucose tests have been normal. My dr insists I am not pre diabetic or insulin resistant but I get lightheaded when I eat
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not prediabetes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for the query.

You are not prediabetic and hence cannot be termed as insulin resistant either as per the criteria available.

The cause of the lightheadedness could be a transient hypoglycemia, often termed as reactive hypoglycemia, which often occurs whenever a meal, especially a heavy carbohydrate meal is taken.

The cause of such hypoglycemia is still in debate. Modifications in life style to include short frequent meals, increased dietary fiber, regulating carbohydrate intake and regular exercise have shown to be of much help to alleviate the symptoms.

Hope I have answered your query. Please get back if you need any more clarifications. I will be glad to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (1 minute later)
Can stress cause that?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
May or may not.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing again.

Stress has been shown to have its effect on all hormones in the body. It cannot be considered to be a cause for the post-prandial hypoglycemia, but yes, it can lead to prediabetic states.

Hope your query has been answered. Please contact if you need more information.

regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shanti Vennam

OBGYN

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 7667 Questions

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Can Tampon Use Increase My Risk For UTI?

Brief Answer: Possible. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. Yes, the possibility of urinary tract infection is more when you use tampons instead of pads. This is because of the pressure exerted on the urethra due to the presence of the tampon in the vagina, failure to maintain good hygiene in view of the tampon and presence of the tampon for prolonged period which may become unsterile. If the tampon is changed frequently, regular washing of the parts is done with lukewarm water whenever urine is passed and the the tampon is changed, and a tampon of the correct size is used so as not to pressure the urethra, the risk of infection is negligible. Hope your query has been clarified. Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be happy to help. regards, Shanti.V.