What should we remember about toxic shock syndrome?

According toAnses, around twenty cases of SCT or toxic shock syndrome linked to periods are recorded in France each year. This figure would be underestimated. This disease serious and rare infectious affects young girls and mature women. This syndrome is directly linked to the excessive use of certain internal hygienic protections: disposable tampons or menstrual cups. Knowing this syndrome and its symptoms well is essential in order to avoid it or to receive rapid treatment and support.

Today, Louloucup, a French brand of durable and washable menstrual protection, talks to you internal periodic protection and health risk. We also talk to you about menstrual toxic shock, its causes, its consequences, its symptoms, the care, the treatment but also the actions to adopt to obviously avoid it.

What is period-related toxic shock syndrome (TSS)? What causes toxic shock syndrome? What are the symptoms of TSS? How to avoid TSS? What are the actions to adopt?

 

Everything you need to know about menstrual toxic shock syndrome

Definition of TSS or Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome or SCT is a serious and generally rapidly progressing infection. This disease occurs in women carrying S. aureus bacteria, that is to say of a certain strain of Staphylococcus aureus.

These germs secrete specific toxins, TSST-1. These toxins will be quite dangerous for the body and health since they poison the blood. 

In what context does the S. Aureus bacteria develop? 

Le staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome, also called tampon disease, is favored and caused by the presence of stagnant blood in the vagina. This blood causes the proliferation of toxins. These toxins then quickly pass into the bloodstream, circulate throughout the body and attack vital organs.

Two menstrual products lead to stagnation of blood in the vagina: 

• le disposable tampon in cotton, 
• the menstrual cup or organic medical silicone menstrual cup. 

Not all women are exposed to TSS

In 2017, according to the health section of Le Figaro, 23 cases have been recorded In France. These are often very young women. TSS can develop in women with S. aureus bacteria, i.e. certain group A staphylococcus aureus.
approximately 1% of women have this bacteria from the Staphylococcus aureus family in their vagina according to INSERM.

Still others would not have the level of antibodies necessary to fight this infection.

SCT highlighted in recent years

In recent years, testimonies from young women have been coming in more and more. The freedom of speech on social networks has highlighted toxic menstrual shock, until now unknown to the general public.

Without a doubt, the testimonial from model Lauren Wasser in 2012 shocked and left its mark. When she was 24, she contracted TSS, she thought she had a simple flu. She came close to death: she suffered two heart attacks and was in an artificial coma for a week. She then has a 1% chance of survival. When he wakes up, we must amputate a leg. She would have to have her other leg amputated a few years later.

Today, Lauren Wasser runs and plays basketball with her two prosthetics. She continues to parade and travels the world to raise awareness about the danger of improper use of sanitary tampons.

The causes of toxic shock syndrome

Let's be precise, the tampon or menstrual cup are not the cause of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome. This is the bad use what we do which is the cause. Inserm explains it perfectly:

« […] National Reference Center for Staphylococci has shown that the risk of toxic shock syndrome is multiplied by two when a tampon is kept on for more than six hours, and by three when the tampon is worn all night. Researchers also observed that not reading or following the instructions that come with the box of tampons is also associated with an increased risk of toxic shock. »

Therefore, it is necessary to use the internal menstrual protection (intravaginal) with intelligence. Moreover, external menstrual protection (disposable sanitary towels, organic cotton menstrual panties) cannot cause SCT since the blood does not stagnate in the vagina but is collected on its way out. However, we invite you, whatever your menstrual solution, to always follow the manual, the instructions and/or the user guide provided by the brand. It is always very important to respect the conditions of use in order to get the best experience. 

Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome

The warning signs of toxic shock syndrome are:

• headaches and throat pain,
• dizziness,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• high fever,
• muscle aches,
• rash,
• voltage drop

These general symptoms are misleading and can be confused with the flu or gastro. It is therefore all the more important to be aware of these symptoms and to be familiar with TSS. 

It is also very important to tell your doctor that you are on your period and to tell your doctor what type of menstrual protection you are using. 

What to do if in doubt?

In the event of symptoms, the hygienic protection must be removed and act quickly to prevent the spread of infection to vital organs. If you have the slightest doubt, go to Emergency and inform the doctor about your condition, your symptoms and your measurements. Every hour counts. You must therefore share all your doubts with the doctors to save time.

What is the treatment for TSS?

To find out if the toxic shock is well developed, the bacteria are cultured and analyzed. Administration of antibiotics andimmunoglobulins can stop the spread of toxic shock. Cleaning of the infected area, the vagina is necessary.

When menstrual TSS is suspected, patients are hospitalized in intensive care.

Take precautions, avoid SCT, alternatives

What precautions should be taken to avoid any risk of menstrual toxic shock ? What is the right behavior? What are the right habits?

Use and wear your tampons or cup properly

In order to avoid any risk of developing SCT, it is essential to respect the conditions for wearing and using your internal periodic protection (the disposable tampon or period cup):

• read the instructions carefully in order to understand its protection and its mode of use,
• change your protection every 4 to 6 hours maximum,
• wash your hands before and after any handling,
• do not use the cup or tampon at night and prefer external protection,
• in the case of a cup, wash it properly and sterilize it. The best is to have two and alternate them so you always wear a clean one.

Louloucup good advice

A disposable tampon like a menstrual cup should never be worn for more than 4 hours. It's important to change your sanitary protection so that the blood doesn't stagnate in your vagina for too long. 

If you particularly like internal menstrual protection, give them priority. day. 

For night., put on a beautiful menstrual panties in organic cotton certified oeko tex standard. Period panties have thick and dense protection but also very extensive in order to recover your menstruation blood optimally. No risk of leakage or saturation even for menstrual flows the most abundant, promise! 

Looking for absorbent and comfortable period panties for night. ? Discover our pair of period panties  absorbent for very heavy flow Jade.

For your sports sessions, you can also opt for a invisible seamless menstrual panties. Impossible to guess under your tight leggings that you are wearing washable menstrual panties. 

Looking for a invisible period panties, reliable, soft and comfortable for your fitness, yoga or running session? Discover our seamless menstrual panties Liv very heavy flow.

For your swimming afternoons with friends, you can wear a tampon, a cup but also a our period swimsuit ! This is a great external alternative. And yes, this news menstrual pads manage to be both absorbent on the inside and warterproof on the outside. No, you're not dreaming! THE period bikini. manages to absorb period blood, capturing it in his pad without spreading it afterwards. No need to fear!

Are you interested in period swimsuits? Discover our range of black menstrual swimsuits one piece and our menstrual swimsuit bottoms. They are hot!

Excellent alternatives to internal protection: menstrual panties

 

And why not choose the external hygienic protections ? These are reliable and pose no risk to your health. Their use is very simple. Menstrual panties or period panties have great advantages.

Period panties are:

• super comfy, Louloucup menstrual panties are all lined in standard oeko tex certified organic cotton, so they are all ultra soft!
• healthy with a transparent composition: cotton, bamboo, elastane, Louloucup makes it a priority. No more obscure compositions of tampons and napkins, here we tell you everything, we hide nothing from you! 
• reliable, with menstrual panties no stress to have, they are super absorbent! 

Suitable for all menstrual flows (light, normal, heavy or very heavy), usable from adolescence, available in many sizes, menstrual panties are perfect for both night and day. For students, for young mothers, for those who work a lot, for travelers and for everyone else. 

Please note that Louloucup is aimed at the smallest with a selection of panties from size XXS, the teen range. We also thought about other body types that are all too forgotten. Thus, we propose a large size range with a nice selection of period briefs from size XXL to size XXXXXL.  

We also offer ultra-light menstrual panties or menstrual tangas for low losses.

For young or future mothers, some of our teen period panties have lined protection that covers the entire panty, front and back. These models of the postpartum range are therefore perfect for managing bleeding, rebirth or even periods under a copper IUD. 

Discover without further delay the collection of Louloucup menstrual panties, panties, tangas and organic cotton menstrual shorties, vegan and at affordable prices. And then, at Louloucup, the Shipping is always free. You only pay for your menstrual products and nothing else. Create your custom pack or batch of washable panties now!