Read My Lips by Debby Herbenick, Vanessa Schick Page B

menstruation. 4 Then, in 1980, use of a certain super-absorbency tampon was found to be linked to TSS. Hence, the association with tampons. The tampons that were linked with TSS risk were quickly taken off the market, and the FDA has done a fine job of monitoring the market since then. TSS in connection with period products still occurs, but it is extremely rare. There is approximately one case of TSS out of every one hundred thousand menstruating women per year. 4 That isn’t 1 percent—not even .1 percent or .01 percent. Only .001 percent of women have been diagnosed with TSS.
    So, what’s with the scary warning on your tampon packages/instructions? Although it is unlikely that you will get TSS, if you do, it can have some very serious health consequences including shock, liver and kidney failure, and possibly even death if left untreated. If you think you have it, don’t panic! Over 95 percent of women will recover from it, which are some pretty good odds. 4 Still, as with most things, TSS gets worse the longer it goes untreated. So, to be on the safe side, take out your tampon and consult a doctor if you have the following symptoms: 4
     
a fever over 102 degrees
a rash (it may appear to look like sunburn)
vomiting or diarrhea
disorientation
muscle aches
red eyes
fainting from a sudden drop in blood pressure
    In addition to being aware of the symptoms, you can reduce your risk by taking a few extra precautions. First, always try to choose the tampon with the lowest absorbency necessary to get the job done. Researchers are mixed on how much this actually matters, with one study finding that there really are no notable safety differences between ultra- and super-plus-absorbency tampons. 5 Although these absorbencies don’t even sound that different, we still recommend this because it is better to be safe than sorry, and it just seems like a good general rule to use as little absorbency as needed. Besides, it can be uncomfortable to insert a large tampon without the proper lubrication!
    That brings us to rule number 2: Change your tampon often in accordance with the recommendations listed on the tampon package insert or from your healthcare provider. Tampons that are left too long inside the vagina can cause bacterial infections or, although rare, can increase the risk of TSS. We know it’s easier on you and the bank account to leave the tampon in until it feels ready to pop, but it is better to follow the guidelines and change them every few hours. Following these steps can help to reduce the risk of TSS, which, although rare, can be deadly.
    In addition to TSS, we’ve seen some scary emails floating around the cyber universe that make it seem as though regular tampons will cause all sorts of health problems (for example, that they contain asbestos). We know of no evidence that supports these claims. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement in 1999 indicating that it had “no evidence of asbestos in tampons.” 6 And given the choice between believing the FDA or emails that also claim to come from foreigners who want to transfer millions of US dollars into your bank account, we’ll believe the FDA.
    Menstrual Pads and Pantyliners
    It is recommended that women only use menstrual pads or pantyliners on days that they are menstruating. If you find that you experience excessive vaginal discharge and want to use pads or liners for this reason, consider checking in with a healthcare provider before doing so. As we’ve mentioned, using pads or liners too often can cause or contribute to genital itching, redness, and/or irritation.
    Sex and Your Period
    Although some women avoid having sex while on their period, others are quite happy to have sex with a partner while menstruating. For some women, sexual pleasure and orgasm seem to help with any period-related discomfort, such as cramps. Also, some women find that they’re highly aroused while menstruating. If you want to have sex while