Risks of Tampon Use

As widely covered in the media, 13-year old Jemma-Louise Roberts passed away last winter from Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), which is thought to have come about from using tampons to help her prepare for swim meets.

TSS is a rare bacterial infection - typically by Staphylococcus aureus but sometimes group A streptococcus bacteria - that can quickly travel through the body via one's bloodstream. Toxins associated with this infection can damage and disrupt all organ systems, making TSS a life-threatening medical emergency. Toxic Shock Syndrome can affect men, women, and children of all ages. Beyond recent tampon use, major risk factors include skin wounds and recent surgery.

Miss Robert's parents and brother are now doing all they can to increase public awareness of TSS, which can often go misdiagnosed because presenting symptoms are similar to that of the flu or a stomach virus.

Common symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome include:

• High fever

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Unexplained headache and muscle aches

• Redness of eyes, mouth, and throat

• Sunburn-like rash, typically on palms of hands or soles of feet

• Confusion, feeling of being dazed

• Seizure

If you experience any of these symptoms and have a skin infection or have recently used contraceptive sponges, diaphragms, or ultra-absorbent tampons, it's prudent to seek immediate medical attention.

Manufacturers of tampons sold in Canada and the United States no longer use materials and designs that were associated with TSS in the 80s. Still, to be prudent, if you use tampons, it's best to choose the lowest absorbency tampon you can find - absorbency ratings are required on tampon labels. It's also a good practice to change tampons every 3 to 6 hours, and whenever possible, to alternate between using tampons and menstrual pads. And whenever flow is light, pads are always safer to use than tampons.

It's important to note that Toxic Shock Syndrome can recur, so if you've experienced symptoms of TSS, it's best not to use tampons and contraceptive devices like diaphragms and sponges. Please consider sharing this information with loved ones, as prevention is best, and early recognition of Toxic Shock Syndrome is essential to saving those who are affected.