Menstrual hygiene has been a topic of key importance, especially in the last couple of years. With a plethora of products available to us to get through that time of the month with ease, there’s no denying that a lot of hygiene matters are taken care of. However, there are still some precautions one needs to take, failing which can lead to some potential health risks. One such condition is Toxic Shock Syndrome. Hearing about this for the first time? Well, here’s all you need to know.
What is it?
Toxic Shock Syndrome, also known as TSS, is a very rare, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the Staphylococcus Aureus group of bacteria. When these get into the bloodstream they produce toxins, which leads to a shock-like reaction within the body.
What causes Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
It is believed that the use of tampons or even menstrual cups can lead to this condition. Dr Asha Dalal, Director of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai adds, “It is commonly seen in menstruating women where a tampon is kept vaginally for a long time and where there may be tiny abrasions caused while inserting it. Blood soaked tampons or menstrual cups are an effective medium for the growth of bacteria and abrasions or cuts cause the spread of the bacteria. Post-menopausal women are also prone to this condition where there are surgical wounds or a contraceptive like a vaginal sponge is used.”
Signs and symptoms
Dr Dalal points out the following signs and symptoms to watch out for, when you’re menstruating and use tampons, menstrual cups, vaginal sponges:
• Sudden high fever
• Low blood pressure
• Vomitting or diarrhoea
• Skin rash that resembles a sunburn, especially on your palms and feet
• Redness of eyes
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Muscle aches
• Confusion or dizziness
Further, she shares that since TSS is caused by a toxin in the bloodstream, it can lead to a shock and cause multiple organ failures, such as kidney, liver and heart, if not detected and treated in time.
Diagnosis
When it comes to diagnosing the condition, Dr Dalal explains that it is based on the medical history of the patient, in case they have had health complications before, followed by a clinical examination. This includes:
• Blood tests and urine examination to look for the presence of Staphylococcus Aureus
• Vaginal, cervical, or throat swabs to look for the organisms
• Other tests like liver function tests (LFT), kidney function tests (KFT), CT scans, depending on the patient’s symptoms
Treatment
The treatment plan as advised by Dr Dalal is as follows:
• Removing the cause of the infection if not already done like removing the tampon, menstrual cup, sponge or draining a wound
• Setting up an IV line and giving blood or blood products or IV fluids as required
• IV antibiotics, as prescribed by the doctor
• Sometimes doctors need to give medication for stabilising blood pressure.
• In extreme cases, the patient needs to be managed in the ICU and further management will depend on the complications that the patient may have
Precautions to be undertaken to prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome
To prevent this from happening, Dr Dalal recommends some precautions that one must take. They are:
• Change tampons, menstrual cups, even pads every four to eight hours
• Your pads or tampons should not be very high absorbency, as it will create an ideal moisture environment for the bacteria to thrive
• Avoid menstrual cups or tampons if there is very light bleeding, use liners or sanitary napkins instead, and don’t forget to change it every two to three hours
• In case of any abrasions, keep scratches and cuts or wounds clean
Also Read: 5 Menstrual Hygiene Tips You Should Know
Also Read: Menstruation 101: How Menstrual Hygiene Can Help You Prevent Major Diseases