Toxic shock syndrome is a very serious bacterial infection though it is not very common, it is an infection that is more commonly associated with the use of tampons during a woman’s period but it can also occur through use of the contraceptive sponge and diaphragm methods of contraception. Cleanliness is the major prevention of the disease with hand washing being essential to help prevent the disease.
There are two different types of toxic shock syndrome; the first is caused by bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus and this is the form which is most commonly associated with tampon use. Exactly why this happens isn’t quite clear but it is thought that high absorbency tampons provide a warm moist home in which the bacteria is known to thrive.
