A new research published in the Applied and Environmental Biology has shown that organic tampons and menstrual cups aren’t any safer against toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is an extremely rare and serious medical condition caused when the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus enters the bloodstream and produces toxins.
Furthermore, the study looked at 11 types of tampons and four types of menstrual cups and found that the kind of material made no difference when it came to the growth of the bacteria. “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,” said Gerard Lina, professor of microbiology at University Claude Bernard.
Menstrual cups, which became a trend in 2016 and were believed to be safer than tampons or pads, could be far worse. “I would say that the menstrual cup is not protective and similar precautions of usage should be advised,” tells Lina. Precautions include: washing your hands regularly, less than four to six hours of use, sterilization in between uses, and avoiding use overnight.
Although TSS is a severe infection, it is responsive to antibiotics. All women should be on alert, as early symptoms include a sensation that your heart is racing, a lightheaded feeling, fever, and rashes. “Most women with TSS, if they are treated early, live,” says Dr. Richard Beigi, an OB-GYN and infectious disease specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Header image courtesy of HelloFlo
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