What is tss from tampons

But certain conditions can cause this bacteria to grow and produce toxins. Certain wounds, incisions, burns and gynecological procedures can increase your risk. The condition can affect men, women or children, but its incidence is very rare. However, she says that awareness about TSS and how to prevent it is still important, especially for women. And forgetting to remove the last tampon during your period or going too long between changing tampons can increase the risk of TSS, she says.

Talking about the risk of TSS is important as part of a larger discussion about healthy menstruation — especially for those who have just started their periods , Dr. Reinhold says. Early treatment is especially important for TSS. TSS can feel a lot like the flu, and symptoms can vary from person to person, but most commonly, the symptoms of TSS are:. The only difference in tampons that can increase the risk for TSS is the absorbency.

A higher absorbency tampon can increase the risk for TSS. A lower absorbency can have a lower risk. Unfortunately, yes. The United States FDA Food and Drug Administration which regulates tampons, states you should never wear a tampon more than eight hours for hygiene purposes. Most gynecologists also recommend you change your tampon every hours for vaginal health reasons.

We know that the risk of TSS increases with absorbency, and there is no precise time limit supported by research. Need help deciding between tampons vs pads. Use this guide to compare the pros and cons and find out the best protection for your period. Wondering how long you can keep a tampon in before you need to change it?

News like this is always heartbreaking and frightening to hear. But before you ditch your tampons in favor of period panties or diaper-like pads, there are a few things you should know about toxic shock syndrome. TSS is a life-threatening complication of a bacterial infection, especially infection with Staphylococcus aureus S. This bacteria can be found in up to half of healthy young adults in the skin and mucous membranes, such as in the vagina, explains Christina Jahncke, M. Menstrual toxic shock syndrome first emerged as a health threat to women of reproductive age between and , when otherwise healthy young women in several states were diagnosed.

Very high absorbency tampons, made of rayon fibers, had recently been introduced to the market, which meant women could use them for an extended period of time, says Jahncke. At its peak in , there were approximately six cases of TSS per , women ages 19 to That number has gone down significantly, likely due to changes in tampon material and absorbency, stricter warning label guidelines, and increased awareness, according to the CDC.

Show references Kellerman RD, et al. Toxic shock syndrome. In: Conn's Current Therapy Elsevier; Accessed Feb. Merck Manual Professional Version. Nonfoux L, et al. Impact of currently marketed tampons and menstrual cups on Staphylococcus aureus growth and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 production in vitro. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Cohen J, et al.