Menstruation and Toxic Shock Syndrome

This is kind of just a guide mostly for you single dads out there who have no idea what is going on! There is some useful information for moms though as well. Menstruation refers to that wonderful time when your beautiful daughter is maturing and starts her period. When menstruation starts, every month the body builds up a lining of tissue and blood in the uterus. If you do not get pregnant then this lining is shed. The lining passes from the uterus and out through the vagina. This is what is usually referred to as being "on your period" or menstruation. The amount of days when you actually bleed is different for everyone, but usually last about 3-5 days. Menstruation usually starts around age 12-15.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommend to see a doctor if:

• You haven't started menstruating by age 16
• Your period suddenly stops
• You bleed excessively, or for more days than usual
• You suddenly feel sick after using tampons
• You bleed between periods
• You have severe pain during your period

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) dealing with menstruation is thought to be caused by toxins from bacteria which build up while the tampon is in the vagina. Thoughts are that tampons may cause small tears in the vagina which may allow these toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream, or that super absorbent tampon fibers are breeding grounds for bacteria. Either way, if these toxins and/or bacteria enter the bloodstream the person may have TSS which is a medical emergency and these ladies need treatment immediately (Mayo Clinic, 2011). 

Signs and symptoms of TSS are:

• A sudden high fever
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• A rash resembling a sunburn, particularly on your palms and soles
• Confusion
• Muscle aches
• Redness of your eyes, mouth and throat
• Seizures
• Headaches

Recommendations for tampons include: changing tampons frequently about every 4-8 hours, only use tampons when really needed, and using the lowest absorbency tampon possible depending on your flow.

For more information about menstruation visit http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/menstruation.html

For more information about TSS visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/toxic-shock-syndrome/DS00221

Mayo Clinic. (2011, May). Toxic shock syndrome: Symptoms. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved fromhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/toxic-shock-syndrome/DS00221/DSECTION=symptoms

Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health. (n.d.) Menstruation. Medline Plus. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/menstruation.html