Safer Alternative to Tampons

Women have been using tampons and pads to collect their blood for years. Sometimes, these feminine hygiene products cost more than just dollars- they cost their health and even their lives. Toxic Shock Syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. This complication is most often associated with menstruating women and their sanitary products that can cause this bacteria overgrowth. Fortunately, a new trend is on the rise. Menstrual cups are flexible products that are designed for use inside a women’s vagina during her period to collect blood flow. These cups have been around for decades. However, they have recently become mainstream as bloggers and internet users share more and more about their experiences.

Dr. Eericca Bickley DO, an OB-GYN with Banner Medical Group states “there have been no documented cases of TSS with the use of the menstrual cups”. This is because menstrual cups collect blood flow rather than absorb it. Furthermore, the cups are made from a safer silicone or rubber material (latex-sensitive users should make sure their cups are silicone). Not only does this material contain no toxins that tampons potentially have, it eliminates the micro-tears in the vaginal wall that occur when a tampon is inserted into the vagina. Those micro-tears make it easy for bacteria to seep into the ruptured blood vessels.

The Journal of Women’s Health recently did a study in which women reported that “the cup was preferred for comfort, dryness, and less odor…81% of enrolled women were able to insert and remove their first cup using only written instructions”.

If you’re like me, than the initial thought of switching to a menstrual cup can seem daunting. If reducing your risk of TSS isn’t reason enough to make the switch, here are some added benefits of using menstrual cups:

• One menstrual cup will last you a long time- some cups report needing to be replaced annually while others claim that with proper care they will last up to 10 years!
• Saves money. One cup runs around $30, which costs much less than buying tampons or pads every month.
• Get an extra 5 hours between changes. Menstrual cups hold a significant amount of liquid and only need to be emptied once every 12 hours or so- depending on your blood flow.
• Cups do not contain the same chemicals that some tampons carry. All tampons contain rayon- a material that contains a possible carcinogen byproduct dioxin. Not to mention- most tampons are chemically bleached. Yuck! Furthermore, Dr. Mercola reports that “manufacturers of tampons and sanitary pads are not required to disclose the ingredients used because feminine hygiene products are considered “medical device”. There is much speculation about what is really in tampons- another post, another time.
• Proper insertion creates a suction onto the cervix. Your chances for leaking should be nil.
• Cotton and rayon in tampons dry out the vaginal walls.
• There are no strings to get soaked in pee or show in a bathing suit.
• The vaginal pH and beneficial bacteria stay in place. Tampons absorb all your virginal fluid as well as you blood, this disrupts the delicate pH balance in your vagina.
• Intercourse is possible with the cup in. It’s a personal choice, but it is possible.
• Getting to know your body. The cups allows to you see exactly how much blood you lose during a flow and you have the chance to learn about your unique cycle.
• Less Landfill waste!
• Easy to use. Anyone who has used a tampon can use a cup.

Let’s be honest. Nothing is perfect! Here are some of the possible cons of menstrual cups:

• More mess. With practice, and once you get over the “ick” factor, most women work out a technique. Also, cleaning in a public bathroom may be embarrassing to some.
• Difficulty with insertion. Again, with practice this usually disseminates. If you are using an IUD please talk with your OBGYN first.
• Possible fit problems. Fibroids or dropped uterus could result in fit issues for some.
• Cup removal issues. Sometimes women have difficulty removing the cup, but it is a learning curve. Pinch the base rather than pull of the stem to release the suction on cervix. The collected fluid is then emptied into the sink. Rinse cup and reinsert.
• Maintenance. A rinse after each dump and sterilization after each cycle. See picture below for instructions. 

Upon removal of the cup, empty the contents into the toilet or sink. Wash cup and reinsert. The cup should be sterilized after each cycle using boiling water, soapy water, vinegar, or even hydrogen peroxide. 

Are you convinced yet? For me, it took a while to sink in and process. Once I learned about the dangers of tampons and the benefits of the cup- I couldn’t unlearn what I knew and it was a no brainer! I have been using the cup for about 6 months, and I will literally NEVER go back to tampons. I belong to a large community of women who proponent natural living, and a significant number of them all have adapted to the cup with pleasure.  In the Women’s Health Journal study done on menstrual cups, 37% of women said the cup was better than tampons, while 29% said worse, and 34% said they were equal. It can be concluded that the cup may not be for everyone, the only way to know is to give it a fair chance. If Toxic Shock Syndrome is a concern, or you have had it in the past, then a menstrual cup may be a wonderful option for you.

 

If you have more questions, here is a great website with FAQ and Medical & Health Questions

http://menstrualcupreviews.net/medical-health-faqs/#faq18

Here are links to some of the most popular brands:

DivaCup http://divacup.com/

Lunette https://www.lunette.com/us

Eva Cup http://www.anigan.com/

Moon Cup http://gladrags.com/product/238/The-Moon-Cup.html

Resource:

Eerica Bickley DO. (15, May. 2015) The Pros and Cons of Feminine Protection. Health eConnect. Banner Health. Retrieved 6, Nov. 2015 from http://healtheconnect.bannerhealth.com/2015/05/the-pros-and-cons-of-feminine-protection/

Dr. Mercola. 22, May 2013) Women Beware: Most feminine hygiene products contain toxic ingredients. Mercola.com. Take Control of Your Health. Retrieved 6, Nov. 2015 from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/22/feminine-hygiene-products.aspx

North, B. B. Ph. D, M.D., Oldham, Ph. D. (2009) Preclinical, Clinical, and Over-the-Counter Postmarketing Experience with a New Vaginal Cup: Menstrual Collection. Journal of Women’s Health. 20 (2); 303-311 doi: 10.1089/jwh.2009.1929

Signs, Symptoms, and Prevention

Flat Rash of Toxic Shock Syndrome

Symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome can range from mild to severe. Typically, personages with TSS will experience mild symptoms for a few days before they fully develop the disease (EMedicine). However, onset can be sudden and serious. The following indications can occur in men, women, and children. The likely-hood that it is TSS increases if you have recently given birth, had surgery, or have an open wound. Oftentimes, a sharp drop in blood pressure will deprive the organs of oxygen and can affect any organs system in the body such as skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, blood and pancreas.

Those who are suffering from TSS always have a fever, rash, and symptoms in at least 3 other organs systems (emedicine).

According to Mayo Clinic, other possible signs and symptoms include:

• -          A sudden high fever
• -          Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• -          Vomiting or diarrhea
• -          A rash resembling a sunburn, particularly on your palms and soles. This is a flat, not bumpy rash. Bumpy rash could indicate Scarlet Fever.
• -          Confusion
• -          Muscle aches
• -          Redness of your eyes, mouth, and throat
• -          Seizures



Bumpy Scarlet Fever Rash

• -          Headaches

If you have any of these signs and symptoms, call your doctor immediately. If you have a tampon, cervical cap, sponge, or diaphragm then remove immediately.

References:

EMedicine. (n.d.). Toxic Shock Signs and Symptoms. EMedicineHealth: experts for everyday emergencies. Retrieved 25, Oct. 2015 from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/toxic_shock_syndrome/page3_em.htm

Mayo Clinic Staff. (8, May. 2015). Symptoms. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 25, Oct. 2015 from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/basics/symptoms/con-20021326

Prevention

Using tampons increases your risk of toxic shock syndrome. When purchasing tampons, use the lowest absorbency products available. Also, do not leave tampons in for more than 4 hours. If your flow is light, opt for sanitary napkins instead. Luckily, manufacturers of tampons that were associated with toxic shock syndrome have pulled their toxic products from the market which decreases your risk. Because your chances of getting TSS increase if you have had staph or strep one time, tampons should be avoided altogether. Fortunately, there are also alternatives to the traditional sanitary products that you may or may not have heard of. In the next posting we will discuss the feminine hygiene product called menstrual cups.

References:

Mayo Clinic Staff. (8, May. 2015). Prevention. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 25, Oct. 2015 from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/basics/prevention/con-20021326

WebMD. (2015). Understanding Toxic Shock Syndrome—Prevention. Web MD; Women’s Health. Retrieved 10, Oct. 2015 from http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/understanding-toxic-shock-syndrome-treatment  

What Causes Toxic Shock Syndrome?

What exactly causes toxic shock syndrome exactly is not known. However, we do have a multitude of insight on how this potentially life threatening condition occurs. When the Staph or Strep bacteria has the right environment it will grow rapidly and release the toxic poisons, which must enter the bloodstream.

Since TSS is most commonly associated with menstruating women, we shall address this first. Staph naturally occurs, and is harmless, in a women’s vagina. Doctors speculate that when a women inserts a tampon, microscopic tears along the vagina wall occur and tiny blood vessels rupture. This makes it easy for the bacterial poisons to enter into the bloodstream. If a tampon is left in too long, or used when blood flow is light, it can dry out vagina. This makes a women much more susceptible to these tears. An overly saturated tampon is a supportive place for rapid bacterial growth. Certain types of fabrics are linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome. Polyester foam seems to support this growth more than cotton or rayon fibers (WebMD). Furthermore, when cervical caps, diaphragms, and sponges (all birth control methods) are left in for too long, they pose a threat for the development of TSS.

Chances for women increase if she has recently given birth.

Please see my post titled Prevention for a safe alternative to conventional period products.

Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome

As we have mentioned before men, women, and children can get contract this disease. In fact, 50% of all cases are not associated with menstruating women (MedScape). When strep bacteria is present in parts of the body that bacteria is not usually found it is referred to as Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome, or TSLS (Higuera). Examples of places that this bacteria may be found in are blood, mucus, muscles, or lungs. Even though this type of infection is not associated with tampon use, symptoms and treatment are identical. Those with burns, wounds, prostatic devices, or recent surgery are at risk.

According to Health Line.com this risk increases if the person is:

-          Diabetic

-          An alcoholic

-          Has Chickenpox

-          Has undergone surgery

30% of people who contract TSS or TSLS get it again.

How does the bacteria effect my body?

Death occurs in the body when as a response from the overgrowth of bacteria and the toxic poisons released by this bacteria enter the bloodstream. Specifically, this results in a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure is referred to as Hypotension. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute defines hypotension as “abnormally low blood pressure, or the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood”. Hypotension is characterized specifically as blood pressure that is lower than 90/60 mmHg. What happens when blood pressure drops is the organs are at risk of oxygen starvation. Most people are affected in that their lungs and heart stops working due to oxygen depletion.

High fever, rash, vomiting may occur. Please see the post titled Symptoms to learn more about what to look for. If you are using tampons, cervical cap, diaphragm, or sponge and you experience illness, remove item immediately and call your doctor.

References:

WebMD. (2015). Understanding Toxic Shock Syndrome—the basics. What Causes Toxic Shock Syndrome? Web MD; Women’s Health. Retrieved 10, Oct. 2015 from http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/understanding-toxic-shock-syndrome-basics?page=2

Higuera, Valencia. (n.d.) Toxic Shock Syndrome: Overview. Health Line. Retrieved 21, Oct. 2015 from http://www.healthline.com/health/toxic-shock-syndrome#Overview1

What is Toxic Shock Syndrome?

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Depending on the situation, TSS occurs due to a bacterial Staphylococcus (Staph) infection or A Streptococcus (strep) infection.  Usually the onset of Toxic Shock Syndrome is sudden and is caused by the release of poisonous substances released by the overgrowth of bacteria (WebMd). TSS can strike anyone.

Although this serious condition can affect men, women, and children; typically TSS is associated with menstruating women and the use of super-absorbent tampons. Toxic Shock Syndrome headlined the news in the 1970’s and early 80’s when doctors first described the condition. Subsequent reports identified an association between tampon use and women (MedScape). However, the reports of TSS inm menstruating women have been steadily on the decline since certain tampons have been taken off the market during the 70’s and 80’s. Over 1/3 of the menstruating women that get it are under the age of 19 (WebMD). Furthermore, the birth control methods of cervical caps, diaphragms, and sponges are related to TSS in females. The chances of getting TSS are increased if a women has recently given birth (WebMD).

As previously mentioned, it is not only menstruating women who are at risk for TSS. In fact, nearly 50% of cases are not associated with menstruating women (MedScape). Men can get it if recovering from a wound, burn, surgery, or use of prostatic device.

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a serious condition that could be fatal. The toxins released by the Strep or Staph bacteria can cause a sharp drop in blood pr

essure which can deprive organs, like lungs and heart, of oxygen and lead to death. You can read more about this in my next post regarding causes of Toxic Shock Syndrome.

References:

WebMD. (2015). Understanding Toxic Shock Syndrome—the basics. What is Toxic Shock Syndrome? Web MD; Women’s Health. Retrieved 10, Oct. 2015 from http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/understanding-toxic-shock-syndrome-basics

MedScape. (16, April. 2015). Toxic Shock Syndrome; Background. MedScape: Drugs and Diseases. Retrieved 21, Oct. 2015 from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/169177-overview

Introduction

Hi, I'm Brittany and I am a full time student at the University of Florida. I am studying to be a Health Education and Behavior Specialist. I have a passion for healthy living that branches from the bedrocks of holistic health. I am a self-proclaimed nutrition geek, an avid yogi, a beginner martial artist, an outdoor feign, and a devoted reader. My husband and I are bringing up 2 beautiful and boisterous boys, aged 2 and 5. I have created this space as an opportunity to cultivate awareness around an issue you may have heard of: Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). 
Toxic Shock Syndrome is a potentially fatal condition that was first described by medical examiners in as recent as 1978. Since then, it has been strongly correlated with tampon use in menstruating women. Essentially, TSS is a response to bacterial overgrowth in a person's body. Please see the helpful links at the bottom of this post for more information.

In this blog we will cover what is Toxic Shock Syndrome, causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention measures along with alternatives to using tampons. Although TSS is rare, only 255 cases in 2014 (Mayo Clinic), I have found a woman who has survived and was willing to share her story with me. Meet Sarah, from Texas.

“My name is Sarah Richardson, and I am from Houston, Texas. My initial symptoms of TSS started out like a "normal" illness. Sore throat, body aches, fever. It seemed very sudden. Christmas Eve is when I started really feeling bad, and the morning after Christmas, I didn't wake up. I was nearly comatose at that point. It was determined that I had strep throat and that was the cause of it. I was rushed to the ER and from there they sent me to a prominent hospital called Texas Children's, where I was admitted to the ICU for 10 days. I developed complications like double pneumonia and scarlet fever. I was treated with several IV antibiotics, steroids, and respiratory support, including a C-PAP breathing machine. One year later, I got strep again and my mom rushed me to the doctor out of terror when I said my throat hurt, and it was determined I had also begun to develop TSS again. They treated me with several IM injections of Penicillin and a couple other things. I continued to get strep at least 1-2 times per year, and they decided I needed my tonsils out at the age of 18. I haven't had strep since, and no sign of TSS either. However, my OBGYN cautioned me to never use tampons. I can safely use a cup though!”

[Blogger note: we will discuss the clever and capable cups in the last blog post]




Please visit these helpful websites for more information:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20021326?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=abstract&utm_content=Toxic-shock-syndrome&utm_campaign=Knowledge-panel

http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/understanding-toxic-shock-syndrome-basics




http://you-are-loved.org/












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