# Does a Tampon Show up on an X-ray? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 28, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-tampon-show-up-on-an-x-ray/522823 "2009-12-28T18:38:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-tampon-show-up-on-an-x-ray/522823/1 "2009-12-28T18:38:08Z")
That’s it, really. If you’re scratching your head thinking “I wish HH would give me a ferinstance,” here you go: a menstruating woman is in a car wreck and injures her pelvis, thus necessitating an x-ray of the pelvic region. \*And no, I’m not going to do a google image search of “x-ray tampon,” at least not while I’m at work. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-tampon-show-up-on-an-x-ray/522823/2 "2009-12-28T18:52:15Z")
Tampons don’t usually show up on plain film X-ray. If there is a lot of air associated with the tampon, you may see a more[lucent area within the vagina](http://archive.student.bmj.com/issues/02/10/education/369.php). On CT tampons are commonly seen, again largely due to the contrast provided by the air. I should also point out the other stuff seen on the provided link, notably the bottle up the bum. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-tampon-show-up-on-an-x-ray/522823/3 "2009-12-28T19:44:10Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Tampons don’t usually show up on plain film X-ray. If there is a lot of air associated with the tampon, you may see a more[lucent area within the vagina](http://archive.student.bmj.com/issues/02/10/education/369.php). On CT tampons are commonly seen, again largely due to the contrast provided by the air. > > I should also point out the other stuff seen on the provided link, notably the bottle up the bum. Thanks, **AfttD**! I’m assuming you’re referring to the top pic on the page? I can sort-of see a vague area of distortion where I’m guessing the device might be, but really I’m just guessing. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-tampon-show-up-on-an-x-ray/522823/4 "2009-12-28T20:20:29Z")
I linked the post for the many interesting images, as well as the citation: “Tampons may also appear as tubular gaseous densities within the pelvis and should not be confused with anything more sinister.” The second image with the IUD (the T- shaped in the pelvis) also has some rectal gas a little lower down. Vaginal gas would also be superimposed in the lower pelvis, but less well defined. ---
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-tampon-show-up-on-an-x-ray/522823/5 "2009-12-28T20:21:37Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Thanks, **AfttD**! I’m assuming you’re referring to the top pic on the page? From what I read, the second picture is a similar example but not a tampon. I gotta admit though, I’m much more disturbed by the last picture…that looks way past the waist :eek: ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-tampon-show-up-on-an-x-ray/522823/6 "2009-12-28T20:59:58Z")
I liked the section on things that have been swallowed: > [@](#): > > Swallowed objects may be ingested intentionally or by misfortune. … Three chief groups of patients fall into this category–patients with psychiatric ill health, children, and drug smugglers.