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It's a myth that TSS only occurs from leaving tampons too long - TSS is a risk whenever you use tampons, it's just that the longer you leave tampons the higher the risk of TSS as the longer you allow bacteria and toxins to build-up.

TSS occurs when certain bacteria multiply and start to produce TSST-1 toxins, these toxins enter your bloodstream and if you lack immunity they overwhelm your immune system to cause TSS - there is no specific length of time when this will occur, but in most cases TSS will occur within the first few hours of use, as soon as those toxins are produced and hit the victims bloodstream.

Tampons need to have been in long enough to have allowed bacterial growth, so a few minutes wouldn't be a risk, but certainly bacteria and toxins don't wait until the 8 hour mark to have an effect. Just be sure to change tampons every 4-6 hours and consider safer options like softcups and menstrual cups.
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12y ago

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