How long can you keep a tampon in while swimming

When you find an expired carton of half-and-half in the back of the fridge or an untouched tube of sunscreen in your bathroom cupboard, you probably toss them in the trash without giving it a second thought.

But when you're blessed with a surprise visit from Aunt Flo and you find a spare tampon in the gym bag you haven't carried since last summer, is it safe to use? Or do tampons expire?

Here, Alexis May Tran Kimble, D.O.

an ob-gyn and urogynecologist at The Kimble Center for Pelvic Wellness in Los Angeles, answers that very question — and shares when exactly you should refresh your stash.

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So, Do Tampons Expire?

It isn't so clear-cut. Tampons are regulated as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but unlike your favorite protein bar or the ibuprofen you take to ease a headache, menstrual products aren't required to have an expiration date listed on the packaging, says Dr.

Kimble. There also aren't any industry standards detailing the information (think: production date, a "best by" date)

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