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There are several precautions to follow to reduce risk of TSS;
- Change tampons every 4-6 hours.
- Always use lowest absorbency for your flow.
- Change absorbency as flow changes.
- Alternate with pads as often as possible.
- Avoid rayon tampons like Tampax or Playtex.
- Opt for cotton tampons like Emerita or Cottons.
- Do not use tampons when not menstruating.
- Do not use tampons with light flow or spotting.
- Do not use tampons overnight while sleeping.
- Do not use tampons with a vaginal infection.
- Wash hands before handling tampons.
- Store tampons in a clean dry place.
- Learn about TSS risks and symptoms.
- Consider safer options like menstrual cups.
When using tampons it's important to change often to prevent excessive build-up of bacteria and toxins, also alternating with pads allows your vagina to clean-out bacteria and toxins after tampon use. TSS can occur at any time, it is a myth it only occurs from leaving tampons in too long, but the longer you leave a tampon the higher the risk.
Another big factor in contracting TSS is absorbency, for each 1g absorbency TSS risks increase by up to 33% - this is because tampons dry out the vaginal tissues causing ulceration, this allows toxins responsible for TSS a more direct route into your bloodstream so higher risk of TSS. With higher absorbency damage to vagina is higher. General rule of thumb is if the tampon leaks within 1-2 hours use next absorbency up, but if not saturated after 4-6 hours use lower absorbency or switch to pads.
Type of tampon is important too - TSS has only ever been associated with rayon tampons, these types of tampons encourage bacterial growth, increase damage to vaginal tissues, lose more fibres, and contain chemicals that can effect vaginal flora. It's best to use cotton tampons which are softer, hypo-allergenic and less drying.
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What will not put a women at risk for TSS?
Tampons account for around 75% of all TSS cases so avoiding tampon use is a major way to avoid contracting TSS - instead of tampons women can use sanitary pads, menstrual cups, or softcups. Even switching from commercial tampons such as Tampax to organic cotton tampons such as Natracare can significantly reduce TSS risk. TSS can also be contracted as a result of injury or surgery, correct medical care and keeping bandages clean can significantly reduce the risk of TSS in these cases.
Should I use tampons?
Whether you use tampons, menstrual pads, menstrual cups, softcups, or any other menstrual option is completely up to you - but it's a good idea to do a little research into your options first. Tampons do pose more health risks than other menstrual products, TSS is a risk from tampon use and tampons do significantly increase risk of vaginal infections like Bacterial Vaginosis, you do have to be sure you understand and can follow the precautions to reduce those risks.Tampons aren't recommended to pre-teens or teens due to higher risk of TSS, also a person should wait at least six cycles before using tampons so they know their flow well enough to know what absorbency to use to reduce TSS risk.
Can you use tampons if you haven't started your period?
No, you should only use tampons when menstruating. Using tampons when not menstruating not only puts you at unnecissary risk but also increases risks of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is caused when certain bacteria multiply and create a toxin, if you lack antibodies this bacterial toxins overwhelms your immune system and it can be fatal. Tampons always risk TSS but using tampons when you're not menstruating or using too high a flow increases risks because tampons dry-out vaginal tissues causing ulceration that gives the bacterial toxins a direct route into your bloodstream. Not to mention that using tampons when not bleeding would be very uncomfortable due to friction and the drying effect on your vagina.
Do you have to wear tampons that are for your flow?
Yes, this is important to reduce TSS risk.One factor to TSS risk is using too high an absorbency for your flow, the reason for this is because tampons don't just absorb menstrual flow they also absorb vaginal fluids which leads to vaginal tissues becoming dry and damaged - much like when the lips of your mouth become chapped when dry. This damage gives TSST-1 toxins responsible for TSS a more direct route into your body. With less flow/higher absorbency more damage is caused and thus risks are higher.
How do you reduce developing toxic shock syndrome?
The best way to reduce your risk of TSS is simply not to use tampons.There are plenty of other options such as menstrual cups or softcups which are not only a lot safer and more hygienic than tampons so don't pose health risks like TSS, but that are also more comfortable, conveniet, and reliable. Look into menstrual cups such as Mooncup http://www.mooncup.co.uk/wc.php?u=1741If you do use tampons, follow precautions:Change tampons every 4-6 hours.Alternate with pads as often as possible.Always use lowest absorbency for your flow.Change absorbency as your flow changes.Avoid rayon tampons like Tampax or Playtex.Opt for cotton tampons like Emerita or Veeda.Do not wear tampons before your period.Do not wear tampons with light flow or spotting.Do not wear tampons overnight while sleeping.Do not wear tampons with a vaginal infection.Wash hands before using tampons.Store tampons in clean dry place.Learn about risks of TSS, infections, and dioxin.Learn symptoms of TSS and what to do.You ARE Love (TSS information) - http://www.you-are-loved.org
If you weren't on your period could you use a tampon to get use to it when you are on your period?
No, you can not practice using a tampon unless you are menstruating. If you decide to do this,though, just put it in and take it out as soon as you can because if you leave a tampon in when you are not menstruating the tampon would be left in your body,dry, and would leave bacteria behind which can lead to TSS, toxic shock syndrome. If you dont know what it is, look it up and find out.
What can put a woman at greater risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS)?
Women under 29 are at the greatest risk of TSS because they don't yet have the antibodies to fight staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The only way to avoid TSS is to not use tampons, or to use only 100% cotton tampons. Use pads at night so the bacterias have a chance to die off before inserting another tampon in the morning. My daughter died of TSS and she was using regular absorbency in a 'name brand' which contained viscose rayon, the primary influence of TSS these days.
What can put a woman at risk for toxic shock syndrome?
Women under 29 are at the greatest risk of TSS because they don't yet have the antibodies to fight staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The only way to avoid TSS is to not use tampons, or to use only 100% cotton tampons. Use pads at night so the bacterias have a chance to die off before inserting another tampon in the morning. My daughter died of TSS and she was using regular absorbency in a 'name brand' which contained viscose rayon, the primary influence of TSS these days.
Can you use tampons after a transvaginal scan?
Yes, you can use tampons after a transvaginal scan. As always only use tampons during menstruation and always follow precautions to reduce risks of TSS and vaginal infections.
What type of tampons may cause tss?
All tampons pose the risk of TSS, but most TSS cases have involved commercial tampons.Modern commercial tampons are made from bleached rayon, a synthetic material that is more favourable to bacterial growth and more aggressively absorbent so causes more damage to vaginal tissues. Previously commercial tampons were made from other synthetic materials, the Rely brand responsible for the TSS outbreak in the 1970's-1980's were made from carboxymethylcellulose and polyester which were so absorbent they caused tears in the vaginal walls, between vaginal damage and encouraging bacterial growth Rely caused many TSS cases (we don't know the full numbers due to faults with how TSS cases were reported and recorded by the CDC).Sponge tampons had a cluster of TSS cases associated with them in the 1970's as a result of a contaminated batch, but sponge tampons - like soft tampons and cloth tampons - have since had no known associated case of TSS. Cotton tampons have had no cases of TSS associated with them at all.
What can put a woman at greater risk for toxic shocks syndrome?
Women under 29 are at the greatest risk of TSS because they don't yet have the antibodies to fight staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The only way to avoid TSS is to not use tampons, or to use only 100% cotton tampons. Use pads at night so the bacterias have a chance to die off before inserting another tampon in the morning. My daughter died of TSS and she was using regular absorbency in a 'name brand' which contained viscose rayon, the primary influence of TSS these days.
What can put a woman a greater risk for toxic shock syndrome?
Women under 29 are at the greatest risk of TSS because they don't yet have the antibodies to fight staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The only way to avoid TSS is to not use tampons, or to use only 100% cotton tampons. Use pads at night so the bacterias have a chance to die off before inserting another tampon in the morning. My daughter died of TSS and she was using regular absorbency in a 'name brand' which contained viscose rayon, the primary influence of TSS these days.
