A woman named Lauren Wasser lost both her legs and nearly lost her life after using a tampon as instructed.
Tampons are commonly used during menstruation for their convenience and effectiveness, allowing individuals to maintain their daily routines without disruption.
These compact, absorbent items are a routine part of life for many, but it's crucial to be aware of their proper use, along with their risks and benefits.
Despite following the directions on the tampon packaging, Lauren Wasser suffered a catastrophic health crisis. She has since shared her story publicly to raise awareness and caution others.
Following the release of Wasser's story, many people have expressed their reactions online.
One person commented, "Listened to her on a podcast, such an awful story. This could happen to any woman at any time."
Another added, "Thank you Lauren for being brave enough to share your story even if it only helps one person you have succeeded."
And a third shared, "Omg, that's so scary."
Auto Draft In 2012, at the age of 24, Wasser conscientiously changed her tampons every four hours throughout her menstrual cycle, adhering to medical advice which suggests changing tampons every 4 to 6 hours based on menstrual flow, as per NHS guidelines.
Despite following these precautions, Wasser started to feel unwell, displaying symptoms similar to the flu. Her condition quickly escalated, and she soon found herself critically ill.
During a day out, Wasser's friends noticed her alarming symptoms and suggested she go home to rest. As time passed without any word from her, her mother became worried and eventually asked the police to check on her welfare.
When the police arrived, they observed her symptoms but did not consider her condition grave enough to require immediate hospitalization.
Auto Draft Now at 36, Wasser shared her harrowing experience on the Life Uncut podcast, recounting those critical moments. "I was extremely hot. By this time I was developing a 41.5C (107F) fever so I wanted all of my clothes off," she recounted.
"My dog was jumping on me ferociously and barking at me. She knew something was wrong. My body was shutting down."
Wasser was eventually discovered face down on the floor, critically close to death, and was quickly taken to the hospital.
Her health continued to decline rapidly once hospitalized—she experienced two heart attacks, kidney failure, and tissue decomposition, as reported by The Sun.
The hospital staff only gave her a one percent chance of survival and prepared her parents for the worst. "They couldn't figure out why this young, healthy 24-year-old girl was dying before them," Wasser explained.
Auto Draft Despite medical interventions, the damage to Wasser's limbs was too severe to reverse. As a result, her right leg was amputated below the knee, along with some toes and part of her heel on her left foot, according to MailOnline.
By 2018, she had to undergo the amputation of her left leg as well due to 'excruciating pain'.
"Everything happened so fast," she remembers. "My life, within 24 hours, completely changed and there was no going back."
It was eventually determined that Wasser had developed toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare yet potentially fatal condition.
The NHS explains: "Toxic shock syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by an infection. It can happen when using a tampon or menstrual cup, or from an infected wound. Symptoms develop quickly and you need urgent treatment."
Although TSS is rare, Clue reports that it affects approximately one in 100,000 menstruating individuals in the US each year.
Auto Draft Now known as the 'girl with the golden legs', Wasser has pursued a modeling career, walking the runway for Louis Vuitton and appearing in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Glamour.
Now 36, she stresses the need for greater awareness of TSS, stating, "Every single person needs to be aware of this. People think they're invincible but no one is off limits."
Wasser, who now exclusively uses period pads, also aims to correct the misconception that TSS only occurs from leaving tampons in for too long, clarifying that the condition can occur even with correct tampon use.
The Cleveland Clinic adds: "There isn't a set time for when symptoms of TSS start after using a tampon."
Wasser adds: "We're putting that inside of us at such a delicate time and it creates a perfect storm. It takes one of those toxins to get inside your body and start acting like the flu and shutting down your organs, it's lethal, it's dangerous.
"It's my goal and life mission to make sure that not only is this information out there but women have these conversations amongst each other, create the dialogue and check in with each other because knowledge is key."
