is it true that tampons give u dangerous shocks??

Question

im 14 and i use tampons as they are easier than pads. my mum is a nurse and she disapproves of them coz she says im too young and that they can give you dangerous shocks but i think shes only saying this to scare me out of it so is it true??

if it is i hav never had any 'shocks' and if i do is it lik electric shocks and is it life threatening?

thanx people!!

Answer 1

I think what you mean is Toxic Shock Syndrome – not shocks like electric shocks.

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Information on Toxic Shock Syndrome from Toxic Shock Syndrome Information Service - http://www.tssis.com

What is TSS?
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a type of blood poisoning that will make you feel severely ill very quickly.
TSS is a rare but potentially serious illness that can develop quickly in anyone – men, women and children.

What causes TSS?
TSS is caused by the common bacteria – Staphylococcus aureus – which normally live harmlessly on the skin and in the nose, armpit, groin or vagina of one in every three people. In rare cases certain strains of these bacteria can produce toxins (poisons) that cause TSS.

What are the symptoms of TSS?
Some of the symptoms of TSS are much like severe ‘flu’ and usually include some or all of the following: a sudden high fever (temperature), vomiting, a sunburn-like rash, diarrhoea, fainting or feeling faint, muscle aches, dizziness, confusion.

What should I do if I have these symptoms?
Consult your doctor at once, if you or anyone you know, has some of these symptoms and suspect TSS. If you are wearing a tampon remove it and tell your doctor that you have been using tampons. Don’t worry about being alarmist – it is important to rule out the possibility of having TSS and if necessary your doctor will then be able to begin treatment early.

Can TSS be treated?
With early diagnosis TSS can be treated with antibiotics to kill the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and other medicines which help counteract the symptoms.

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Toxic Shock Syndrome is very rare, however no where near as rare as it is made out by official statistics because of the way in which they classify 'official' TSS cases. Most companies give warnings about TSS on their boxes as they are required to by law, but most places gloss over what can happen to you if you get TSS.
I know three women who have had TSS through tampon use, they lived however they are life-long serious health problems and what TSS did to them when they had it was not at all nice.
TSS risk is greatly increased by the use of tampons, increased yet again if using commercial tampons such as Tampax because they use super-absorbent materials, chemicals and bleach – these things are totally unnecessary!

Your mum is a cleaver woman, a lot of people, even nurses and doctors, do not realise how dangerous tampons are – if she does not approve of tampons and you don't want to use pads maybe you can think about other safe options such as menstrual cups like Divacup or Keeper, here are some different choices in menstrual options you might want to look into and discuss with your mum;

Commercial tampons, Organic tampons, Sponge tampons, Homemade tampons, Padettes, Commercial sanitary pads, Organic sanitary pads, Cloth sanitary pads, Homemade sanitary pads, Padded panties, Period blankets, Reusable rubber bell-shaped menstrual cups, Reusable silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups, Homemade menstrual cups, Diaphragms as menstrual cups, Soft plastic softcup menstrual cups, Free-flow, Free-flow layering, Free-flow instinctive, Extraction, etc.

Commercial tampons are the most harmful out of over twenty different menstrual options because of the unnecessary manufacturing methods used as well as the general risks from tampons – commercial tampons are also the only option to have caused and contributed to deaths both within the TSS outbreak in the 1980's and Dioxin exposure in the 1990's - in both cases manufacturers knew the health risks but continued to manufacture and promote special offers regardless [the idea that if they were dangerous they wouldn't be on the market is mute if you know the history].

NOTE - Most TSS cases were NOT down to women leaving tampons in for too long, they were down to manufacturers not testing new super-absorbent materials in their tampons correctly and continuing to sell their tampons long after they found out they were killing people.

There are far safer options, as well as options that are greener, cheaper, more convenient, body-positive and ethical.

Unfortunately very few people are aware of the risks or willing to educate themselves of the risks due to menstrual taboos, taboos companies take advantage of to strengthen customer base, and menstrual product manufacturers are also largely covered legally in terms of manufacturing methods and what they can tell to the public.

Note - Risks of tampons are there no matter how long they are left within the vagina for; the risks are simply higher the longer you leave them in. TSS cases are rarely a result of misuse of tampons.

Tampon risks;

-Tampons prevent the vaginas self-cleaning process keeping bacteria, yeast and dirt inside the vagina, which can contribute to vaginal infections and TSS.

-Tampons absorb discharge that dries out mucus membranes within the vagina leading to vaginal splitting that can contribute to vaginal infections, as well as irritation due to friction and dryness.

-Tampons provide bacteria and yeast with a pores, warm and moist environment filled with menstrual blood that cause bacteria to multiply due to both being nutritious and a different PH to the normal vaginal environment, which can contribute to vaginal infections and TSS.

-Fibres can be left within the vagina allowing excess bacteria to remain within the vagina, which can contribute to vaginal infections and TSS.

-Commercial tampons are made from super-absorbent materials that further dry out the vagina and increase bacterial growth, which can contribute to vaginal splitting, irritation, vaginal infections and TSS.

-Commercial tampons contain chemicals and bleach that interfere with vaginal PH, which in turn effects balance of bacteria and yeast, which can contribute to vaginal infections and TSS.

-The vagina is a major orifice of the body and made of mucus membranes that easily allow chemicals to pass through, chemicals in commercial tampons may be toxic and have the potential to be paraben’s (information on chemicals used is restricted by laws protecting manufacturers).

-Manufacturing of commercial tampons adds to environmental problems, including pollution, environmental factors such as these contribute largely to human health.

-Effect on general vaginal health that tampons, particularly commercial tampons, have can cause heavier menstrual flow as well as increased menstrual cramping.

-Tampons expand with fluid they absorb, this can contribute to menstrual cramping and discomfort due to bloating.

-Certain brands are made to expand lengthways as well as widthways expanding into the cervix furthering menstrual discomfort.

-Toxic Shock Syndrome is the better known risk, it can be minimised by using safer options such as pads, menstrual cups, or healthier tampon options such as organic, sponge or homemade options, risk is also minimised by using lower absorbency and changing often – note TSS is rare, however the statistics on TSS are understated, and unnecessary manufacturing processes of commercial tampons significantly increase the risk.


Links on tampon risks and issues:

http://www.spotsite.org
http://www.tamponalert.org.uk
http://www.seac.org/tampons
http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro
http://bloodsisters.org/bloodsisters
http://www.life.ca/nl/46/maxi.html
http://www.frontiernet.net/%7Eruthb/Tampons.html


Links on other menstrual options:

http://www.divacup.com
http://www.keeper.com
http://www.mooncup.com
http://www.lunette.fi
http://www.softcup.com
http://www.lunapads.com
http://www.gladrags.com
http://www.natracare.com
http://www.jadeandpearl.com


Books on tampon risks and issues:

The Sanitary Protection Scandal: Sanitary towels, tampons and babies' nappies – environmental and health hazards of production use and disposal – Alison Costello, Bernadette Vally, Josa Young.
Whitewash: Exposing the health and environmental dangers of women's sanitary products and disposable diapers – Liz Armstrong, Adrienne Scott.
The Price of a Life: One woman's death from toxic shock – Tom Riley.
Soap Opera: The Inside Story of Proctor & Gamble - Alecia Swasy.
Capitalizing on the Curse: The Business of Menstruation - Elizabeth Arveda Kissling.
The Curse: Confronting the Last Unmentionable Taboo: Menstruation - Karen Houppert.
Everything You Must Know About Tampons - Nancy Friedman.
Women and Tampons: Index of New Information, With Authors and Subjects - Valerie J. Gibson.
The Wise Wound: Menstruation and Everywoman - Penelope Shuttle.

Answer 2

i have never herd of "shocks" but yes you can get tss or toxic shock syndrome. your mom being a nurse should know this and sgould have better informed you...I found this on a kids health site maybe it will help What Is Toxic Shock Syndrome?
There are actually two different types of this condition. Toxic shock syndrome, which is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, has been associated with the use of tampons. (TSS was initially linked to a particular brand of tampons, which have since been taken off the market.) Although the exact connection is still not clear, researchers suspect that certain types of high-absorbency tampons provided a moist, warm home where the bacteria could thrive.

Although TSS usually occurs in menstruating women, it can affect anyone who has any type of staph infection, including pneumonia, abscess, skin or wound infection, a blood infection called septicemia, or a bone infection called osteomyelitis.

A related infection, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, or STSS, is caused by streptococcus bacteria. Most often STSS appears after streptococcus bacteria have invaded areas of injured skin, such as cuts and scrapes, surgical wounds, and even chickenpox blisters. It almost never follows a simple streptococcus throat infection (strep throat).

Answer 3

It's called toxic shock and it can be very dangerous, I work in a hospiatl also they use have a lot of cases of it a long time ago it doesn't happen to much anymore there use to be a brand of tampons that caused it but that brand is no longer available. I'm 27 and have been using tampons since I was sixteen and I've never had a problem.

Answer 4

Toxic shock syndrome is a rare, life-threatening bacterial infection that has been most often associated with the use of superabsorbent tampons and occasionally with the use of contraceptive sponges.

In 1980, an outbreak of toxic shock syndrome occurred that mostly involved young women who had been using a particular brand of superabsorbent tampons. The cause of the outbreak seemed to be toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria.

While the infection often occurs in menstruating women, it can also affect men, children and postmenopausal women. Other risk factors for toxic shock syndrome include skin wounds and surgery.

The signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome may include:

A sudden high fever.
Vomiting or diarrhea.
A rash resembling a sunburn, particularly on your palms and soles. After a week or so, the skin on your hands and feet generally begins to peel.
Confusion.
Muscle aches.
Redness of your eyes, mouth and throat.
Seizures.
Headaches

Signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome develop suddenly, and the disease can be fatal. You can reduce your chances of getting toxic shock syndrome by changing your tampon frequently, at least every four to eight hours. Use the lowest absorbency tampon you can and try to alternate using tampons and sanitary napkins whenever possible.

Toxic shock syndrome can recur. People who've had it once can get it again. If you've had toxic shock syndrome or a prior staph infection, don't use tampons at all.

For more information on Toxic Shock Syndrome, see the following website:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/toxic-shock-syndrome/DS00221/DSECTION=1

Answer 5

Your mum is talking about toxic shock syndrome, which is a rare but possibly fatal infection. It's caused by leaving tampons in too long. You should change them at least every 6-8 hours; then there's no risk.

Answer 6

There was a big deal in the 1980's about "toxic shock syndrome" where women were getting sick and sometimes dropping dead because of tampon use. In all the cases, they found that the women who died left their tampons in too long (the tampons were saturated with menstrual fluid and the women didn't change them out for 24 hours or more) so as long as you change your tampons every day or every time you feel yourself bleeding, you should be fine.

Answer 7

You can get TSS, Toxic Shock Syndrome from tampon use, but it is very rare. Read the product information insert that comes with every box to learn more.

If you change your tampon every few hours, you will be fine.

Answer 8

Get the instructions from the package sit down with mum and go over the proper use.
Your mum has forgot that TSS is a hygiene problem. Or she may imagine you may (?) start masturbating because (?).
TSS was also associated with nylon panty-hose and not wearing undies to remove moisture away and not removing the pantyhose regularly.
Now my joke! Only if you manipulate the plastic holder at 60 or more cycles per second to produce enough static charge. :)

Answer 9

Its called "toxic shock syndrome" (TSS) but does not involve any electricity. Its more like an infection. Causes fever. Change the 'pon regularly and should not be a problem.

Answer 10

she probably mean septic shock...ot toxic shock syndrome .this happens when u have bad systemic infection. there were cases reported before where a lady came in with fever in the hospital and it was an infection that was tampon related......Read the link below it will help u understand more

Answer 11

They can, but only if you leave them in too long. Tampons should be changed every 3-4 hours, to be safe. longer if your a light bleeder. :)