Can Toxic Shock Syndrome be caused by tampons?

You can get Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) from using tampons, although it is a rare condition.

TSS is a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition caused by bacterial toxins, usually from the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. It was first associated with tampon use in the 1980s.

High absorbency tampons can increase vaginal dryness and cause small tears in the vaginal mucosa, which can increase the risk of bacterial infections. These bacteria can produce toxins that enter the bloodstream and cause TSS. Keeping tampons in for extended periods of time (more than 8 hours) can increase the risk of bacterial growth and toxin production.

Symptoms of TSS can occur suddenly and include high fever (above 100°F), low blood pressure, rash that resembles a sunburn, redness of the eyes, mouth, and throat, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or fainting.

You can prevent TSS by choosing the tampons with the lowest absorbency that you need for your period. Change tampons every 4-8 hours and use sanitary pads instead of tampons at night to reduce the risk. Use tampons and sanitary pads alternately to reduce the chance of vaginal dryness and irritation. Wash your hands before and after inserting tampons to reduce the chance of bacterial contamination.

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355384

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2023-12-09 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024