What is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?Updated 4 months ago

TSS results when normal bacteria found in our bodies—called staph and strep bacteria—multiply, overgrow, and release a poisonous toxin in our bodies. Although it can develop without the presence of a tampon, it has been connected with the use of tampons because tampons can act like a good home for the bacteria to multiply. Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause. While TSS has been tied to tampon usage, it can also be caused by a variety of other things.

There is no widely accepted evidence to support that material composition affects TSS risk, however studies have shown that risk may increase with heavier absorbency products. We strongly recommend that you follow the FDA guidelines for tampon usage and never use the same tampon for more than 8 hours, and always use the lightest absorbency necessary.