Toxic Shock Syndrome
If you use Tampons you will want to read this article!
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare but fatal disease caused by a particular type of bacteria that can 
produce toxins in the body. The symptoms of TSS come on fast and are often severe. Menstrual TSS has been linked to the use of super-absorbent and synthetics in tampons. [1]
Results of a study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, suggest that the use of 100% cotton tampons may reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome compared with tampons that contain rayon. The paper states that, “The incidence of reported cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome has declined since the removal of high absorbency fibres from tampons, such as polyacrylate rayon, polyester and carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC). However, the disease continues to occur in young menstruating women using the newer less absorbent tampons made of viscose rayon with and without cotton.”
The study was carried out on 20 tampon varieties, including Natracare 100% cotton tampons and concluded that all-cotton tampons did not produce the dangerous TSS toxin from the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, while other tampons did.
The summary to the paper stated, “All-cotton tampons did not product TSST-1. This is likely because cotton provides fewer factors to favour TSST-1 production compared with fibres previously removed from tampons (CMC, polyester, polyacrylate rayon)….“In sum, women who are without protective levels of antibody to TSST-1 and use non all-cotton tampons are at the greater risk of TSS.”
In order to advance a well-balanced view of all the pieces to the puzzle concerning menstrual health, we pride ourselves on embracing independent research so that women are afforded the opportunity to make informed choices about sanitary protection. Natracare believes that women should still continue to be vigilant and become familiar with the symptoms of TSS. Read carefully the tampon instruction leaflets found in the packs before starting to use tampons.
The symptoms of TSS can occur suddenly, and at any time during menstruation. Be aware of these symptoms, which need not be present all at the same time.
- sudden high fever (102°F, 39°C or more)
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhoea
- headache
- sore throat
- dizziness
- fainting or near fainting
- rashes that look like sun-burn (skin peeling may occur days later)
- muscular pain.
If you get any of these symptoms, you must remove your tampon and do not use any more.
Get immediate medical attention and be sure to inform your doctor that you are menstruating and using tampons and that you are concerned about TSS.
References:
[1] Propensity of Tampons and Barrier Contraceptives to Amplify Staphylococcus Aureus Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin by Tierno Jnr, Philip M and Hanna, B A, The Journal of Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2:140-145, 1994.
Tampon Awareness Week
Published on: 14 January 2011
Toxic Shock Syndrome was back in the headlines recently following an investigation on US television about the tampon related death of Amy Elifritz.
In response women around the world have been asking what is in their tampon and are there any potential health risks?
Natracare raised the issue of fibre loss in conventional tampons at least 15 years ago. The reaction from those conventional brands was that the body naturally dispels the fibres. We asked nurses doing smear tests and they said that they can always tell who uses tampons because they have to remove old tampon fibres before achieving a clear smear for sampling. Conventional tampons mostly use rayon to make their tampons. Rayon is a straight, smooth fibre made from wood pulp. These smooth fibres have little integrity so they slide apart more easily when wet. Eventually, these same manufacturers who claimed fibre loss was not an issue, decided to put a polypropylene (that’s plastic to you and me) nonwoven wrapper around the rayon core to reduce the loss of fibres.
Natracare is made only from 100% certifed organic long fibre cotton. Cotton is a curly structured fibre and interlocks with other fibres when wet; therefore Natracare tampons tend not to shed fibres.
If you want to avoid fibre loss, synthetic fibres and chemicals and use a product developed to counter the impudence of the mass brands, then Natracare certified organic 100% cotton tampons were developed by me 21 years ago to release women from this onslaught of toxic, synthetic rubbish we felt coerced to buy each month.
If you want to use reusables, great, but avoid sponges. They are as likely to cause TSS as rayon tampons according to independent research conducted by Tierno and Hanna of New York University Medical School in the mid 90’s. The results of that peer reviewed research indicated that along with the menstrual cup, Natracare all cotton tampons did not generate the toxins associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome.
There is a video of the fibre loss issue on our Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/NatracareSisters
