Women are raising concern about the use of certain tampons after a California model named Lauren Wasser lost her leg as a result of developing toxic shock syndrome from a tampon. Wasser lost her leg in 2012 and is now suing the tampon brand Kotex Natural Balance after almost dying from using them. She claims to have changed her tampon three times that day, but later felt sick and went to bed. She ended up suffering a massive heart attack which shut down her organs. The tampon that Wasser used tested positive for toxic shock syndrome.

Should women be afraid to use tampons now? How can I prevent toxic shock syndrome? How do I know which tampons are safe? These are just some of the questions women are concerned about after reading about Wasser’s story.

Toxic shock syndrome is a rare, yet serious and life-threatening complication that is caused by a toxin produced by certain types of bacterial infections. The toxins are most often produced by staph bacteria, but in some cases is produced by strep bacteria. Toxic shock syndrome has most common been associated with the use of certain types of tampons. What many people don’t know is that toxic shock syndrome doesn’t occur just by using tampons. A women must have a specific strain of staph bacteria known as staphylococcus aureus in the vagina which then grows within the tampon’s material to produce a harmful toxin.

Toxic shock syndrome is most commonly associated with women using tampons during menstruation. However, the complication can also affect men and children of any age. According to the National Institutes of Health, less than half of toxic shock syndrome cases occur as a result of tampon use in women. Risk factors for the complication include a recent skin burn, skin infection, surgery, recent childbirth, having used a diaphragm or vaginal sponge to prevent pregnancy, or having an open skin wound.

Although toxic shock syndrome is rare, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms to look out for. The possible signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome include a sudden high fever, low blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, a rash that looks like a sunburn which usually appears on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, confusion, muscle aches, redness of your eyes, mouth and throat, seizures, or headaches. The complication can rapidly progress and more severe complications can occur such as multiple organ failure (usually liver and kidneys), shock, and even death.   

Women should not be afraid to use tampons. They should however be cautious of how they use tampons and what kind they use. According to Healthline, here are the best ways women can prevent or reduce their risk for developing toxic shock syndrome:

·         Change your tampon every four to eight hours

·         Wear a low-absorbency tampon or sanitary napkin during menstruation

·         Wear a sanitary napkin on light-flow days

·         Wash your hands frequently to remove any bacteria

·         Keep cuts and surgical incisions clean and changing dressings often