Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is often associated with tampons. As it turns out, they don’t fully deserve this correlation.
Toxic shock syndrome is caused by toxins entering the bloodstream that develop from certain types of Staphylococcus bacteria (commonly referred to as “staph”). It can become serious very quickly, so you should seek immediate medical attention if you believe you have TSS to avoid dangerous complications.
If tampons aren’t to blame for TSS, then what is?
Well, tampons can’t be completely let off the hook because they have been linked to about 50% of TSS cases. Most doctors believe that the tampons, if left in for too long, create a bacteria-rich environment that can lead to TSS due to microscopic tears in the vagina.
Other causes include viral infections, cuts on skin and post-surgery complications.
If you like to wear tampons for comfort and convenience, there’s no need to stop using them. Just follow these simple tips for lowering your risk of TSS:
- Change your tampon often – don’t leave it in for more than 8 hours.
- Avoid using super-absorbent tampons.
- Wash your hands before inserting and removing your tampon.
Check out this article to read more about toxic shock syndrome and tampons.