Reality Star’s Cautionary Tale About Tampon Use

This is one way to raise awareness, I suppose.

A reality TV personality recently shared a rather alarming experience regarding an unfortunate, uh, oversight relating to tampon use.

Savannah Miller, notable for her appearance in season 7 of Netflix’s *The Circle*, described this “humbling experience” in a recent post. She admitted that what happened was quite traumatizing, but thankfully, she didn’t face any severe health consequences from forgetting a tampon for an extended period.

Now 24, Miller was a 22-year-old college student at the time. After a night out with friends, she realized that she had put in a tampon but couldn’t locate it the following day because there were no visible signs—no blood—and the string was missing.

“I just forgot it was there. I couldn’t see it,” she said.

Shortly after, she began to notice some unusual symptoms, such as mood swings, itching, and an unpleasant odor. “It felt like there was a raw smell that just wouldn’t go away,” she confessed, adding that she was acutely aware of this issue throughout her classes.

Speculating on the odor, Miller thought it might be likened to something aged, and while continuing to insert tampons, she was inadvertently pushing the original one deeper inside.

A Series of Misfortunes

Despite multiple visits to the campus clinic, initial exams failed to reveal any issues. They conducted an STD test, which came back clear.

“They suspected it might just be bacterial vaginosis, but I knew that the odor was far worse than that,” she said.

Finally, during her third appointment, the doctor found cotton fragments in her urine sample and inquired if she might still have a tampon inside. “At that point, I wasn’t sure, but maybe that was it?” she recalled, desperate to eliminate the odor.

Ultimately, they discovered the tampon. “The doctor had to fish it out,” she humorously remarked.

A Close Call

Fortunately, there were no significant signs of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) or any serious infections, though she was prescribed antibiotics for precaution.

TSS occurs when bacteria produce harmful toxins that can enter the bloodstream, leading to severe complications, including organ failure and even death. While rare—affecting around one in 100,000 people—this condition has been associated with tampon use, especially since the 90s. Tampon packages often warn about TSS and recommend changing them every eight hours.

Some may recall model Lauren Wasser, who faced severe consequences from TSS in 2012, or the tragic stories of families who lost loved ones to this condition. Those who survived can still deal with long-term health issues.

Miller’s TikTok gained traction, showcasing her story and highlighting her intention to help others. “I hope this isn’t embarrassing, but if it benefits someone, I’m fine with it!” she said.

She humorously noted, “I think toxic shock syndrome is just too toxic,” hinting that while it’s a serious subject, there’s room for lightheartedness too.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Awareness of TSS is crucial. Symptoms to look out for include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Cold symptoms
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Red rash resembling sunburn
• Confusion

Overall, Miller reflects on her experience with humor now, hoping to encourage others to stay vigilant regarding their health. It’s an unusual tale, but maybe one that resonates with many at some level.