2023-05-11 13:52:25
What is Menstrual Toxic Shock?
Menstrual toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an acute and infectious disease. It is caused by the release into the blood of a bacterial toxin, TSST-1 produced by a particular strain of staphylococcus (Staphylococcus aureus).
It is favored by poor conditions of use of internal intimate protection.
Which intimate protections are concerned?
The menstrual SCT is only related to the wearing of internal intimate protections, ie which are inserted inside the vagina, such as tampons and menstrual cups (also called “cup”) in particular.
External protections: sanitary napkins, panty liners, menstrual panties etc., cannot cause menstrual TSS.
What are the potential consequences?
The first symptoms appear within 3 to 5 days:
high fever (> 39°C), flu-like symptoms (muscle pain, sore throat) or gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhoea, etc.), skin rash resembling sunburn.
Since these symptoms are nonspecific, they make it difficult to identify TSS.
After a few days and without medical care, failures of different organs – the kidney, the brain, the liver, etc. – are observed and can lead, in rare cases but which have already occurred, to serious complications that can lead to amputation or even death.
Who is concerned ?
The bacterial strain of S aureus producing TSST-1 is responsible for toxic shock. The people concerned are those who already carry this strain and do not have enough antibodies to fight once morest this bacterium. However, the majority of menstruating people do not know whether or not they carry this strain.
All menstruating people wearing internal intimate protection (tampons, menstrual cups, etc.) are therefore potentially concerned.
How many cases per year?
Menstrual TSS is a rare disease: around twenty cases are recorded each year in France. However, as this disease is not subject to compulsory notification, this figure is probably underestimated.
What causes toxic shock?
Our expertise shows that menstrual TSS is linked to conditions of use of internal intimate protection. The risk of developing the disease increases with prolonged use internal protection and/or the use of internal intimate protection with a stronger absorption capacity than necessary.
Preventing this risk is possible: what are the best practices?
Respect the recommendations for use specific to each protection, in particular those on the wearing time of internal intimate protection (tampons, menstrual cups, etc.): 6 hours maximum, one protection at a time and only during menstruation, for the night , favor external protections such as sanitary napkins; Wash your hands before and following changing intimate protections; Choose protection with an absorbency adapted to your menstrual flow and change it regularly; Avoid using internal intimate protections if you have ever been diagnosed with TSS.
How should I react if I suspect a toxic shock?
In case of suspected menstrual SCT:
quickly remove the internal intimate protection; consult a doctor immediately, telling him that you are having your period and have used an internal intimate protection.
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