prompted by a heated discussion about tampons last night..

[lasttraintocool.livejournal.com]

Because of its relationship to menstruation and the use of tampons, TSS has not received adequate attention from medical and government authorities, as have other fatal diseases. It is classified as a "rare" disease. This classification gives women a false sense of security about our chances of getting Toxic Shock. The truth is, that it is no more "rare" than certain forms of cancer and AIDS.

other sites dedicated to telling you what the syndrome entails basically limit the info to just that. thepage that goes into the most amount of depth, explaing just WHY the disease occurs is at the keeper's site.

[there are some rather interesting statistics here]

Tampons are typically manufactured from rayon. There is a risk of rayon fibres being absorbed into the vaginal walls. Tampons may also expose you to absorbency gels, bleach, and chemicals such as chlorine. Chlorine can cause the production of dioxins, a potent carcinogen (cancer causing agent).

of course, you could always believe the tripe that the FDA wants you to believe. it's an american governmental organization; i don't believe a word.

Comments

[her-again.livejournal.com]

my favourite part is that the fda dosent consider insterting a tampon - INGESTING something harmful in yr body.

and yr tripe link is fuct.

but you still rock my fucking socks from here to scarborough and back.

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

Toxic Shock occurs wherever oxygen and opportunistic aerobic bacteria meet in the wrong place. babies (especially girls) are also at risk for TSS when they are put in those new fancy disposable diapers. :(

[urania.livejournal.com]

It seems strange to me that you'd trust anecdotal evidence so strongly and dismiss a government agency's research as "tripe" just because it's from the government.

Dioxins, one of the main "culprits" of this whole thing, aren't formed by putting something treated with chlorines into your body; they're formed basically by buring chlorine stuff, it looks like. (If you're that hot, good for you :) but I don't think it's a risk from tampons) http://www.ejnet.org/dioxin/ gives more information on this; we're more at risk from dioxins from the environment (a valid problem) than we are from tampon use.

About TSS not being "rare"--AIDS and many cancers are rare, it's just that yes, they have gotten widespread attention. Should TSS? Of course. Does that mean tampons are necessarily "bad"? I'd say not; it's like saying that having sex at all is bad because you could get AIDS. Of course, having unprotected sex is dangerous; so is leaving a tampon in too long, or brushing off flu-like symptoms while you're using tampons. But it's my opinion that one goes too far if one tries to demonize an entire industry simply becuase their products can make some people sick--this happens all the time from products ranging from foods (all sorts of allergies) to excercise equipment (improper use) to cosmetics and soaps (rashes, etc.) To me, the more important thing is that consumers be made aware of the risks involved in anything so they can make their own choices. Tampon manufacturers do put out lots of literature about TSS; every package I have ever used lists symptoms and says--usually in large red letters--"If these occor, see a doctor ASAP" or words to that effect.

For most people, tampons seem to be a safe choice if they are active in taking care of themselves. There will always be exceptions, but life is not risk-free. *shrug* just my 2c worth... sorry I wrote so long on this. :)

Mucking with numbers cause I'm bored:

[urania.livejournal.com]

... one more thing about rare: looking at the statistical site:

Even if you accept the claim that only 10 percent of the tss cases are reported, and even counting only tampon users ("70% of the 73 million American women of menstruating age) you get:

(244x10)(100)/(.7x73,000,000) = .00477 % of women will get any form of tss in any given year. That's one out of 20,000... actually a little less. And that's including the 9/10 of the suspected cases that are too weak to report.

Yup, I'd say that's "rare"... not a good reason not to publicize it, surely, and it is publicized; should probably be more so. But enough reason to be scared off tampons? I think not.

hmmmm...

[brooke3rdstreet.livejournal.com]

I think it is always good to question the government. This is the same government that gives us second rate education (try growing up in eastern Ky) and sells us cigarettes. Of course, i smoke myself sometimes and i know the risks...but do they really attemtpt to stop smoking? No. It is a money maker. I used to be really naive to this subject. I thought maxi ultra thins were a life saver...despite the fact that i get rashes, yeast infections, horrid odors, etc from them. They don't even work that well. For the past two months i have been researching this topic. I do not have the book on hand but (when i find it i will post it..it is at the UK library) that leads us to believe that TSS is highly underdiagnosed. I have talked with highly esteemed professors at my college. I have spoken with a woman who's best friend died b/c of tampons. Even if just 100 people died a year it should be a concern. Women are sold these products. We are made to believe we dont have choices...that we have to purchase these overpriced..perfectly white..boxes of toxic shit. Who should you believe: thousands of womens testimonys or a few people in lab coats (probably