Articles on women’s health,
from periods to menopause.
First published
It's been a while since Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) has held space in the news, but a recent interview on The Diary of A CEO with Lauren Wasser has brought back attention to this rare but serious illness.
Wasser is a model and activist who lost her legs to TSS after using a superabsorbent tampon. She is now using her platform to raise awareness about TSS and to encourage women to use safer period products. You can view the full episode at the end of this article
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious illness caused by a bacterial infection. It can affect anyone, but it is most common in menstruating women who use tampons. Other factors, such as an infected wound or surgery can also cause TSS.
TSS is caused by a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. This bacteria is normally found on the skin and in the body, but it can sometimes produce a toxin that causes TSS. The toxin, called TSST-1, can enter the bloodstream and cause a widespread inflammation reaction.
The risk of TSS is highest in menstruating women who use tampons. This is because tampons can create a warm, moist environment ideal for bacteria growth. Other risk factors for TSS include:
TSS can be caused by any product that creates a warm, moist environment. This includes period products such as tampons, menstrual cups, pads, and sponges. However, the risk of TSS is lower with pads and menstrual cups than with tampons. This is because pads and menstrual cups do not absorb as much blood, which helps to keep the vagina dry.
The symptoms of TSS can develop quickly, often within a few hours. The most common symptoms include:
Image awaiting migration
There are a few things you can do to help prevent TSS:
The early signs of TSS can be similar to other illnesses, such as the flu. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away:
If you think you have TSS, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. TSS is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
The doctor will likely perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. They may also order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment for TSS usually includes antibiotics and supportive care, such as fluids and electrolytes. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue
The flu is a respiratory illness that is caused by a virus. TSS is a bacterial infection that can affect multiple organ systems. The symptoms of the flu and TSS can be similar, but TSS is a more serious illness.
The symptoms of TSS can develop quickly, often within a few hours. However, in some cases, the symptoms may not appear for up to 2 weeks.
No, TSS is not contagious. The bacteria that cause TSS are normally found on the skin and in the body. However, the toxin that causes TSS is not contagious.
Yes, TSS can be prevented by taking simple precautions, such as using the lowest absorbency tampon that is comfortable for you, changing your tampon every 2 to 4 hours, and avoiding using super-absorbent tampons.
Image awaiting migration
The long-term effects of TSS vary from person to person. Some people may experience no long-term effects, while others may have permanent damage to their organs. The most common long-term effects of TSS include:
If you have TSS, you should seek medical attention immediately. However, there are some signs that TSS is getting worse, such as:
April 29th I was admitted to the ER and my hospital stay was five days. When I had reached the ER I was puking, convulsing and becoming delirious from my fever (104 degrees), and going into septic shock. Just hours before this I was running, swimming, and having a perfectly great and normal time at a birthday party. It all happened extremely fast. I'm skipping a lot of fine details (the number of tests, ultrasounds, etc) and including what's important.
About an hour and a half before the ER, I had felt cold and I assumed this was because it was night and I was still wearing a crop top. So I hopped in the shower with the plans that I'd warm up then watch a new episode of Samurai Jack. But... the longer I stayed in the shower, the colder I felt. I had the heat on as high as it could go and was shaking. When I got out of the shower I assumed I was getting the flu or something and I bundled up in bed. It only got worse and I started feeling nauseous on top of it. I told my mom I needed to go to the hospital and my dad took me there.
This was my first time ever being admitted to a hospital and my first time seeing a doctor for something physical other than when I had my copper IUD put in or seeing a dentist. I was really terrified of everything but the nurses were all very kind. It took my entire stay for the doctors to figure out what was wrong with me beyond "something caused sepsis and septic shock, but we don't know what."
Finally, one of my urine cultures gave a clue. They found staph in my urine. They asked me if I had pain when urinating. I didn't. They think this was from a UTI gone untreated/improperly treated. On my last day in the hospital, the infectious disease specialist told me he believed the staph (s. aureus) from my bladder migrated to my IUD and infected it, thus causing the Toxic Shock Syndrome. He told me that even though I was on antibiotics I needed to get it removed before my run of antibiotics was over, or else I would need to sign a consent form stating that I refused removal and that my family cannot sue the hospital if I die from re infection. He explained that the staph could have created an antibiotic resistant biofilm around the IUD. I quickly realized how serious things were! The doctors said when I had arrived I had an 80% chance of dying and only a 20% chance to live. I'm really lucky.
Since I was now discharged, I made an appointment at my local Planned Parenthood to get the IUD out (this was also where I had got it inserted). However, they initially refused, saying that their own doctor said removing it would increase my re-infection rates. I told them what the hospital told me. I waited THREE HOURS while they talked on and off with their doctor before they agreed to remove it. Now I am trying the hormonal arm implant because I cannot receive another IUD for 3 months because my uterus needs to heal.
During my hospital stay, I also had the telltale sign of TSS which is a sunburn-like rash. It is literally like a stinging sunburn. Apparently, most people get it all over their body, but mine was between my thighs, groin/genital area (yes, "down there"), soles of my feet, and palms of my hands. Eventually, the rash stops hurting and peels off painlessly (except in the genital area. That area was painful and uncomfortable). The bottoms of my feet peeled off in huge sheets of dead skin. My hands are still peeling and my groin stopped peeling over a week ago (thank god!)
I've read online some people have more complications beginning a few months after TSS. I am lucky to be alive and intact so I don't know if I will face these problems (nails falling off, hair loss to name a few) but I hope not. TSS has given me so much anxiety and fatigue as it is. I am 4'11" and was about 110lb (thin and fit, I work out a lot), and during my stay I lost 10lb and a lot of mass and muscle alike. I am finally working out again but it's rough.
Check out the post on Reddit to read the comments:
Founder of Elara Care and O.A. Dip. Certified Women's Health Practitioner, Jas is working to create better solutions for women since 2018, sharing her struggles and experiences with female health
Full profile and articles ↗
Your skeleton is the core foundation of your body. Bone health and bone density are essential for women, as women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men.
Read article ↗