A Netflix reality star has shared a health scare that could have led to toxic shock syndrome after she accidentally left a tampon inside her body for an entire month. Savannah Miller, now 24, told national media outlets about the incident that happened when she was 22 and in college.
The situation began innocently enough. Miller inserted a tampon before going out with friends at the end of her period. When her bleeding stopped the next day, the string was no longer visible. She completely forgot it was there. Over the next four weeks, Miller developed escalating symptoms that left multiple doctors searching for answers.
Four Weeks of Symptoms Nobody Could Explain
Miller’s first signs that something was wrong appeared within days. She began feeling sick with intense itching and a terrible smell she described as “like a rat crawled inside of me while I was sleeping and died.” The odor became so strong that she worried about sitting near classmates during lectures.
Unsure what was happening, Miller assumed the smell was related to her period ending and continued her normal routine. Unaware that each new insertion was pushing the forgotten one deeper into her body.
The worsening symptoms drove Miller to seek medical help. She made three separate trips to her college health clinic. Medical staff ran STD tests and performed internal examinations without finding the source. Doctors first suspected bacterial vaginosis, a common vaginal infection. The answer only came during Miller’s third visit. Cotton particles appeared in her urine sample, providing doctors with their first real clue.
They found the tampon lodged deep near her cervix. Miller recalled that the removal process was extensive and joked that the doctor “had to fish it out of my ovaries.” Despite spending a full month in her body, the item had not triggered Toxic Shock Syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition that can develop from prolonged use. Doctors prescribed her antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
Why She Chose to Go Public With Her Story
Miller had already built a following from her appearance on Netflix’s The Circle, where she was the first contestant eliminated in season 7. Her willingness to share personal struggles wasn’t new. During college, a car accident led to the discovery of a brain tumor, which she overcame through surgery. She now describes herself as a “brain tumor survivor” on her social media profiles.
True to form, Miller chose to share her latest health experience on TikTok with humor. Her post carried the caption “Too toxic for toxic shock syndrome, I guess.” She used her platform to turn an embarrassing health scare into an educational moment.
The story gained media attention and created conversations about menstrual health awareness. Many young women thanked her for addressing such a personal topic openly. Her approach to discussing health challenges that many consider private has become part of how she connects with her 33,000 Instagram followers.
Read More: Understanding UTIs: A Guide to Women’s Health and Prevention
How Bad Can It Actually Can Get
Toxic Shock Syndrome is a rare but serious condition that happens when bacteria multiply and release toxins into the bloodstream. The illness can move fast and cause organ failure or death without quick medical treatment. Symptoms include high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and a rash that looks like sunburn.
Back in the 1980s, TSS became a household fear when super-absorbent products started making women seriously ill. Between 1970 and 1980, doctors recorded 941 confirmed cases with 73 deaths. This health crisis forced manufacturers to pull their most dangerous products from shelves and redesign them with better safety features.
Those changes worked. TSS now affects only 1 in every 100,000 people, down from 6 cases per 100,000 women at its worst point in 1980. Megan Cheney, a gynecologist, notes, “We don’t see a lot of toxic shock syndrome and maybe that’s due to increased safety of products that are being made or patients being more educated about toxic shock syndrome and not leaving tampons in.”
The face of TSS has also changed. Half of all cases today come from surgical wounds, skin injuries, or other medical conditions rather than menstruation. The FDA now treats menstrual products as medical devices and requires manufacturers to test for safety and bacterial growth.
Still, new concerns keep emerging. The FDA raised awareness in December 2024 about metals found in products during laboratory testing. Nathaniel DeNicola, an OB-GYN, says the real question isn’t whether chemicals exist in these products, but “when does it convert to a dangerous amount?” Women continue to face risk when items stay in too long or when absorbency levels exceed what their flow requires.
The Basics Every Woman Needs to Remember
Miller’s month-long ordeal shows how easily a tampon can be forgotten during lighter flow days. What began as a routine end-of-period moment became a medical mystery that took three doctor visits to uncover. The best way to prevent this is by changing products every 4 to 8 hours, never exceeding 8 hours, even overnight. Always choose the lowest absorbency needed for your flow, since using super-absorbent products during light days increases the chance of forgetting.
Good hygiene and timing also matter. Wash your hands before insertion, keep track of when you last changed products, and pay extra attention toward the end of your period when mistakes are most common. If you are unsure about placement, check carefully with clean hands or ask a medical professional for help. Seek immediate care if you develop fever, vomiting, or any concerning symptoms while using menstrual products.
Read More: 5 Major Feminine Hygiene Mistakes That Can Affect Women’s Health