Health2 min(s) read
Woman gives urgent warning after losing both her legs and nearly dying after correctly using tampon
Model Lauren Wasser has issued a stark warning after using a tampon as per the instructions on the box led to an extreme medical emergency.
Her life changed overnight when the menstrual product caused an infection that nearly killed her.
Lauren’s story serves as a warning to others about the dangers that can occur when using tampons or other menstrual products.
The rapid decline in Lauren's health
In October 2012, Lauren was 24 and leading an active life when she began experiencing flu-like symptoms. She was using tampons every four hours as recommended. Despite feeling unwell, she went out to meet friends, but her condition quickly worsened. After hours of being ill, her mother called the police to check on her, and by then, Lauren was found “10 minutes from death,” she shared on the podcast Life Uncut.
She had developed a 41.5°C (107°F) fever, and her body was shutting down.
“I was extremely hot,” she said. “By this time I was developing a 41.5C (107F) fever so I wanted all of my clothes off.
“My dog was jumping on me ferociously and barking at me. She knew something was wrong. My body was shutting down.”
Once in the hospital, doctors struggled to work out "why this young, healthy 24-year-old girl was dying before them,” she said.
Ultimately, doctors discovered that Lauren was suffering from toxic shock syndrome, a condition that causes rapid organ failure and can lead to death. Her condition was so severe that she was put into an induced coma and given just a 1% chance of survival.
"My life, within 24 hours, completely changed and there was no going back," Lauren said in an emotional interview. Fortunately, she pulled through, but the damage to her limbs was irreversible, leading to the amputation of both of her legs.
TSS awareness and prevention
TSS is rare but can be life-threatening. It can be caused by bacterial infections from using tampons, menstrual cups, or other products for too long, or from infected wounds. Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, and a rash that feels like sandpaper. The NHS recommends changing tampons regularly to reduce the risk, and Lauren urges everyone to be aware of the signs.
Now known as “the girl with the golden legs” due to her prosthetic limbs, Lauren hopes to raise awareness about TSS. "People think they’re invincible but no one is off limits," she warned. “I was an active young girl, and I’d been using the same brand of tampons that I’d been using since I started my period – super absorbent, heavy.”
Her story, shared through podcasts and interviews, is a stark reminder that even when following product guidelines, serious health risks can arise.