Toxic Shock Syndrome
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the following tips to help avoid tampon problems:
- Follow package directions for insertion.
- Choose the lowest absorbency for your flow.
- Change your tampon at least every four to eight hours.
- Consider alternating pads with tampons.
- Know the warning signs of TSS (see below).
- Don't use tampons between periods.
If you have any of these symptoms of TSS while using tampons, take the tampon out, and contact your doctor right away:
- sudden high fever (over 102 degrees)
- muscle aches
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- dizziness and/or fainting
- sunburn-like rash
- sore throat
- bloodshot eyes
The risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) increases with higher absorbency,
so you should use the lowest absorbency that meets your needs.
Tampon absorbency ranges and terms are standard industry-wide.
Use the chart below to select the minimum absorbency to control your menstrual flow
and reduce the risk of getting TSS.
|
ABSORBENCY
|
in grams
|
|
JUNIOR
|
less than 6
|
|
REGULAR
|
6 to 9
|
|
SUPER
|
9 to 12
|
|
SUPER PLUS
|
12 to 15
|
|
ULTRA
|
15 to 18
|