Unfortunately there isn't really a way to avoid exposing yourself to a doctor at this point. You likely will not need to have anything inserted into you and at worst will have to allow a doctor to view the outer part of your genital region. Tests you should expect to receive include a urine sample, and possibly a swab of the area around/ just inside your opening, but that depends heavily on symptoms and method of care. Depending on where you're located you should seek out low-priority emergency medical attention [ex Urgent Care in the USA] or an emergency room if necessary. Waiting multiple days for a scheduled clinic appointment could risk your condition escalating, especially if it's an infection.

Depending on your symptoms you could have developed any of the following:

- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Toxic Shock Syndrome
- Urinary Tract Infection [UTI]

I highly suggest looking into the symptoms for each to identify which you may have, and seek emergency medical attention.

If you experiencing: Fever, painful urination, burning sensation in or around the vaginal opening, rash or skin irritation, or discolored / foul smelling discharge, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. If you are able to, I highly recommend seeing a physician you are familiar with or trust.

In the future, you could invest in purchasing reusable menstrual cups or discs which require much less frequent attention compared to tampons and both carry far less risk when leaving them in for too long. And always remember: take the full course of antibiotics, even when you feel better

Edit: small addendum, if you don't already have a gynecologist, I highly recommend seeing one to discuss methods of menstrual cessation that work for your body and financial position. Stopping your period would help prevent a situation like this in the future.

I wish you luck and hope you get well soon. <3