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FACT CHECK: Should you give sanitary pads a pass to escape toxic shock syndrome?
A viral trend is urging women to ditch sanitary pads—does science support this claim?
Author
CLAIM:
Menstrual products, such as sanitary pads, can cause infections and even lead to potentially fatal toxic shock syndrome.
FACT:
Sanitary pads are not associated with toxic shock syndrome. Maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is the only guarantee against bacterial infection of the vagina.
Holistic living, going back to your roots, and trying to find "natural" remedies to everyday issues are all the rage now. But how far is too far? Some sections have now gone to the extent of advising women against using sanitary pads and other menstrual hygiene products when on their monthly periods. Instead, they ask these menstruating women to let themselves bleed freely, claiming that this is the kind of healthy lifestyle that women in the past led.
"Free bleeding," as the practice is popularly called, involves allowing yourself to bleed freely while on your periods without using sanitary products such as pads, tampons or cups, to hold the blood. Some, however, use period panties to avoid leaks and stains.
CAPTION: A Reddit forum on free bleeding and its potential benefits
In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the practice, with many saying that the practice can also help protect you from toxic shock syndrome, and infections of the vagina.
“Free bleeding is an empowering and positive way to confront the reality and social stigma of menstruation," according to an advocate of the practice. They go on to say that they chose to free bleed, with just a period panty, and found the experience "liberating."
"Free bleeding keeps your usual vaginal fluid and healthy bacteria where they should be — in your vagina... No more anxiety about leaks, running low on tampons/pads, toxic shock syndrome (TSS), toxins and chemicals in menstrual products or ruining your favorite (sic.) underwear," they claim.
So are sanitary pads a health hazard?
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare infection that can be life threatening. While it can be triggered by poor menstrual hygiene, the risks associated are higher with internal/insertable menstrual products such as tampons and menstrual cups, rather than sanitary pads.
"TSS is only linked to the use of internal protection, i.e. protection that is inserted inside the vagina, such as tampons and menstrual cups. External protection (sanitary towels, panty liners, menstrual panties, etc.) cannot cause TSS," according to ANSES, the French public administrative body reporting to the Ministries of Health, the Environment, Agriculture, and Labour.
Not changing ones’ pads after recommended number of hours could induce bacterial infection However, if one exercises proper menstrual hygiene, then sanitary pads cannot induce bacterial infection.
In fact, the Government of South Australia advises people to use pads, over tampons, at night to avoid the risks of toxic shock syndrome.
Dr Shelly Batra, head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Batra Hospital told First Check that toxic shock syndrome typically occurs when something is left in the vagina for a long period of time.
"It is not detected, and it gets infected. An example of this could be a tampon left inside, a menstrual cup left inside, even a condom left inside and forgotten,” she said. “Another case that I have seen is when a patient underwent a surgical procedure. And in the vagina, the doctor had inserted gauze piece, soaking it with some antiseptic solution. And then everyone forgot to take it out.”
Dr Batra added that wrong use of sanitary pads and not changing frequently can cause the problem. "They can cause pelvic infection. They can also cause excoriation, grazing against the skin and rubbing and a kind of irritation in the groin,” she said.
The gynecologist suggested the use of period panties that can control a lot of blood.
"Then just carry a pad in your bag, in your wallet, in your purse,” Dr Batra said. “I mean, everywhere there's a restroom, and you can use it."
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