Some U by Kotex Tampons Have Been Recalled for Unraveling Inside the Body
Some tampons are being recalled this week for a rather unsettling quality-related defect: falling apart inside the body and leaving behind bits of the tampon. Kimberly-Clark announced the voluntary recall this morning, which only affects lots of regular absorbency U by Kotex Sleek tampons sold throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The recall affects lots of three-, 18-, and 34-count packages of the tampons as well as 34-count multipacks that contain 17 regular absorbency tampons.
The affected tampons were all manufactured between October 7, 2016 and October 16, 2018 and were distributed between October 17, 2016 and October 23, 2018. Retailers have also been alerted to the recall and instructed to remove the products from their shelves and put up notices about the recall.
To find the lot number, check the bottom of the package. To see the full list of lot numbers check here; and to see if your specific lot is affected, you can use the company's lot checker here.
Luckily, the recall only affects regular absorbency level products, so you can still use super and super plus U by Kotex Sleek tampons.
The recall is in response to reports that the tampons are falling apart when people try to remove them.
The company has received reports from consumers that the tampons are "unraveling and/or coming apart upon removal, and in some cases causing users to seek medical attention to remove tampon pieces left in the body," the release states. "There also have been a small number of reports of infections, vaginal irritation, localized vaginal injury, and other symptoms."
Anyone who uses one of the affected tampons and later experiences symptoms such as vaginal pain, bleeding, discomfort, itching or swelling as well as bladder infections, yeast infections, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain should check in with a medical professional.
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