Are organic tampons and menstrual cups better than regular tampons at reducing the risk for toxic shock syndrome? New research finds that such intravaginal menstrual pads may still cause the condition.
Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome
In 2012, a model lost her leg and almost lost her life after her bout with toxic shock syndrome simply because of her tampon usage. In recent years, many women have been made aware of the link between tampons and the potentially deadly toxic shock syndrome, so others have opted to use organic tampons or even menstrual cups.
Unfortunately, a team of researchers recently discovered that using such products aren't necessarily safer than regular tampons which are often a rayon or viscose-cotton mix, or completely made up of viscose, a semi-synthetic fiber.
Bacterial Growth
In the study, researchers examined the influence of 15 tampon and menstrual cup products on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) in a laboratory setting designed to replicate the conditions inside the vagina during tampon or menstrual cup use. S. aureus and TSST-1 are associated with most cases toxic shock syndrome.
In regard to the tampons, what they found was that the growth of S. aureus is not particularly influenced by the additives or contaminants, but by the structure of the material itself. Evidently, the space between the fibers of the material allows the air intake into the vagina, greatly contributing to bacterial growth and toxin production.
"Our results did not support the hypothesis suggesting that tampons composed exclusively of organic cotton could be intrinsically safer than those made of mixed cotton and rayon, or viscose or tampons composed entirely of viscose," said Dr. Gerard Lina of University Claude Bernard, Lyon, coauthor of the study.
Menstrual cups did not fare better on the test either. Compared to pads, its shape and volume apparently allows for greater air contact, resulting in more favorable conditions for the bacteria to grow and making the cups harder to sterilize. In fact, although toxic shock syndrome is more often associated with tampons, there have also been cases associated with menstrual cups.
To prevent toxic shock syndrome, researchers suggest frequently changing tampons, and boiling menstrual cups between usage.
Menstrual Period
Menstrual periods are no joke. In fact, a doctor has recently described the experience as being almost as painful as a heart attack. Though the experience varies from one woman to another, proper menstrual hygiene is an important part of the experience, especially in regard to preventing toxic shock syndrome which can cause fever, low blood pressure, skin rashes, and even multiple organ dysfunction.
The study is published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
