Besides sanitary napkins, tampons are a tool available to absorb menstrual blood flow. A tampon should be used by being inserted into the vagina.

Tampons are equipped with long threads, which help women remove the tampon from the vagina. This product is designed for single use and should eventually be disposed of.

Risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome when Using Tampons

A tampon is cotton, rayon, or a combination of the two that resembles a bottle stopper. Its fibers are helpful for absorbing up menstrual blood before it flows out.

Tampon use is convenient, but you should be mindful of the risk of toxic shock syndrome. A bacterial infection can result in toxic shock syndrome, a rare consequence that may result in a number of severe symptoms. This infection can be fatal because some bacteria release toxins that enter the circulation and can spread to the body's organs.

There are two reasons why using tampons can raise the risk of toxic shock syndrome:

• Long-term use of tampons increases the formation of bacteria
• Particularly when blood flow is low, tampons get stuck to the vaginal walls, resulting in abrasions that allow bacteria to enter the body through open wounds

Read more: Tampon, Pembalut Dan Menstructural Cup, Mana yang Lebih Baik?

Signs of Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxins released by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus are typically the cause of toxic shock syndrome. Characteristics of symptoms include the following:

• High fever
• Shivering
• Vomit
• Diarrhea
• Skin rash all over the body
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Red eye
• Confusion and disorientation
• Blood pressure drops
• Decreased liver and kidney function
• Faint

You should consult your doctor right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above. If left untreated, toxic shock syndrome can lead to problems like shock, renal failure, and even death.

Read more: How Often Do You Need To Change Implementation When Menstruation?

How To Prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome

As long as you follow the usage instructions on the packaging label, tampons are safe to use. In addition, the following actions can help prevent toxic shock syndrome:

• Change your tampons at least every 4–8 hours
• Use sanitary napkins if menstruation flow is low
• Avoid using tampons with excessively high absorbencies
• Only open the tampon package once you want to use it
• Do not use tampons for longer than necessary
• Wash your hands with soap and clean water before and after inserting the tampon
• Insert and remove the tampon carefully and gently
• Tampon applicators can damage the vaginal walls, so avoid using them
• At night, replace tampons with pads
• Maintain personal hygiene during menstruation
• Avoid using tampons while you are not on your period

Apply a small amount of lubrication while inserting a tampon at the end of your period or when your menstrual flow is low. Other feminine hygiene items, including sanitary pads or menstruation cups, are alternatives to tampons. Use the AI Care app to consult with a doctor about choosing cleaning products that are appropriate for your health.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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