Some women in Lagos experience persistent vaginal discharge, bad odor, itching, or discomfort and assume it’s just another infection. While infections are common, one often-missed cause is a vaginal foreign body—an object accidentally left inside the vagina.
This is more common than most women realize, and it can happen to anyone, regardless of age, marital status, or education.
What Is a Vaginal Foreign Body?
A vaginal foreign body is any object that is unintentionally retained inside the vagina. These objects may be used during menstruation, sex, hygiene, or treatment—and then forgotten or difficult to remove.
Common Items Women May Forget in the Vagina
In our clinical experience, the most common retained objects include:
- Tampons (or broken pieces of tampons)
- Condoms (male or female)
- Menstrual cups
- Cotton wool or tissue used for discharge or menstruation
- Vaginal pessaries or suppositories
- Sex toys or beads
In children, foreign bodies may include small toys, paper, or beads; but in adults, menstrual and sexual items are the most frequent causes.
Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore
A retained vaginal object often causes symptoms that do not improve with usual treatments.
Common signs include:
- Persistent foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Brown, green, or bloody discharge
- Vaginal itching or burning
- Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
- Pain during sex
- Recurrent infections that keep coming back
If you have been treated multiple times and the problem persists, a foreign body should always be ruled out.
Why Vaginal Foreign Bodies Can Be Dangerous
When an object stays in the vagina for too long, it can:
- Cause severe vaginal infections
- Lead to vaginal sores or ulcers
- Increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease
- Rarely, cause toxic shock syndrome (especially with retained tampons)
This is why self-treatment or repeated medications without examination can delay proper care.
Should You Try to Remove It Yourself?
❌ No.
Attempting to remove a stuck object with fingers or tools at home can:
- Push it further inside
- Cause vaginal injury or bleeding
- Increase infection risk
The safest approach is a gentle speculum examination by a trained healthcare provider.
How Vaginal Foreign Bodies Are Treated
At a proper clinic:
- A private and respectful vaginal examination is done
- The object is carefully removed
- Any infection or irritation is treated
- Follow-up advice is given to prevent recurrence
The procedure is usually quick, safe, and minimally uncomfortable.
A Message to Lagos Women
Vaginal foreign bodies are medical issues, not moral issues.
There is no shame in seeking help.
If something feels wrong, smells unusual, or refuses to clear despite treatment, listen to your body.
Where to Get Help in Lagos
Women in Akoka, Yaba, Shomolu, Bariga, and the UNILAG area can access confidential care at:
Mascot Healthcare Clinic – Akoka, Lagos
📍 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist/Bajulaye Junction, Akoka
📞 0816 586 6252
✔ Same-day consultations
✔ Private examination rooms
✔ Non-judgmental women’s health care