A model has spoken out about her fears of losing her second leg to toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
Lauren Wasser lost her right leg in 2012 when she contracted the infection while using a super-plus tampon.
She suffered a heart attack and her legs became gangrenous forcing doctors to amputate her right leg below the knee.
Since recovering from that infection, Wasser became a prominent campaigner for raising awareness for TSS and the dangers associated with it.
In a recent op-ed for InStyle magazine, Wasser wrote that she is “inevitably” going to lose her other leg.
“There’s nothing I can do about it,” she said.
“I’m in daily excruciating pain. I have a golden leg that I am completely proud of, but my left foot that has an open ulcer, no heel, and no toes.”
The model explained that since her amputation, her body has continued to produce a lot of calcium causing her bones to grow on her left foot.
She eventually got the point where she needed surgery to shave the bone down “because it becomes too unbearable to walk.”
Wasser wrote that she is sick of seeing tampon ads on TV that do not accurately inform consumers about the dangers of their products.
“When you see a tampon commercial, it’s all happy teenage girls running along the beach in bikinis. The dangers are beyond minimized.
“TSS has been killing and harming women for more than 30 years: let that sink in. How many lives is it going to take for something to change?”
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TSS is a rare but deadly condition that is caused when bacteria enter the body and release toxins into the bloodstream.
Symptoms include, but are not restricted to:
- Sudden high temperature
- Headaches
- Chills
- Nausea
- Diahorrea
- Dizziness
- Rash
The HSE recommends using low absorbency tampons or sanitary towels during your period to prevent TSS.
You must also change your tampons regularly and always wash your hands before and after inserting a tampon.
