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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Question for Woman Only...

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Author

Topic: Question for Woman Only...

Lymied
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6704

posted

If you are a man you had fair warning

So, fellow female Lyme sufferers...Is it safe to use Tampons? I just worry with Toxic Shock Syndrome that when I am not on antibiotic therapy taking a break that there is a greater chance of TSS...or is TSS caused by a specific kind of bacteria and not lyme...that must be it since there are many different bacteria.

Anyway, I want to start using Tampons again and just needed some info.

Thanks!

Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged |

minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175

posted

There's a nice, unbiased writeup about it at http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/tss.html

Basically, TSS is a common staph infection gone wrong. I haven't heard of it being associated with anything other than staph, but hey, what do I know.

Tampon technology has improved, as has info about safer usage (change frequently, don't use the superabsorbant kind).

I'm always a little more concerned about these types of infections in us Lymies, because of our immune system problems. Might be a good question for your doc -- do Lymie women who use tampons get more infections? (there are problems other than TSS, like yeast).

So I guess the answer is, sanitary napkins are always (Always, geddit?) safest, but you should read the info, talk to the doc, and make your own decisions from there.

Posts: 2331 | From WA | Registered: Jan 2004 | IP: Logged |

TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019

posted

I dont think wearing tampons has anything to do with lyme, or could affect it. Then again, I have found wheaties in my cheerios, so I could be wrong.

On a personal note, Im not a tampon wearing kinda girl, so I'd really have no knowledge of this to begin with.

Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

Lymied
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6704

posted

Thanks you two - I am not a tampon wearing kind of girl either - I figure if it is flowing out why stop it up...sorry for the image.

I am just going to be taking a class in Massage Therapy and well at this point have no choice...;(

I am going to use the all natural cotton kind because I think a lot of the others are filled with bleach and other stuff that just isn't good for us.

Thanks for weighing in here - and for the article - Anyone else have info too?

Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged |

okie lyme
Member
Member # 7130

posted

Don't have to deal with this any more thak God~~

but I do notice the "cheapie" panti liners I use, in case I ~~uh~~~ cough or laugh!

seem to give me a bit of a rash. There's some at General Dollar that come in a blue box for 1.00 that are fine it seems. bleached material like coffee filters maybe?? I do use the unbleached filters either

[This message has been edited by okie lyme (edited 11 April 2005).]

Posts: 60 | From Enid, OK USA | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

I don't have that problem anymore thanks to lyme....but when I did, I used tampons exclusively. [Had Lyme the whole time....never a problem with TSS]

How can you stand NOT to use tampons? Yeacch!

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

JillF
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5553

posted

Same here.

Could not live w/out being able to use tampons.

I have not had a problem yet. Probably have had Lyme for more than 5 yrs now...

Posts: 1485 | From USA | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged |

achey
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6284

posted

I've used tampons since my second cycle...a long time ago. I've had LD since abt that time too, or longer.

No problems with tampons. I do prefer that unbleached cotton ones. I do have problems with any femine hygiene products that have bleaches, deodorant, or other fragerances.....And those pads with that plasticy sort of dri-weave stuff.

Posts: 663 | From NH USA | Registered: Sep 2004 | IP: Logged |

Lymied
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6704

posted

Thanks for all of your replies. I will use them without paranoia that I am going to get sick.

I wear them when I am working out, etc... but otherwise when I wear them I feel abdominal discomfort more readily and just feel like things aren't quite right. So I usually use them back and forth with pads. And yes, Yuck! but I know a lot of people with endometriosis and wonder if it isn't attributable to the use of tampons...

Thanks!

Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged |

burnbitter
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 7088

posted

quote:
Originally posted by okie lyme:
Don't have to deal with this any more thak God~~
but I do notice the "cheapie" panti liners I use, in case I ~~uh~~~ cough or laugh!
seem to give me a bit of a rash.

Are you allergic to latex? most of those things have latex either in them or in the adhesive.

Posts: 207 | From san francisco, ca | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged |

Mo
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2863

posted

I wore them for years till my late 20's, and then got into a "let it flow out" mindset when I became more alternative minded..a holistic practitioner made sense explaining the why's to me..
that came before Lyme, so having nothing to do with Lyme..
I feel like the 'period' is more cleansing that way. Personal preference.
It seemed to make a difference in my case.

With Lyme, I guess I feel the more open pathways there are, the better.

[This message has been edited by Mo (edited 11 April 2005).]

Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Lymied:
....but I know a lot of people with endometriosis and wonder if it isn't attributable to the use of tampons...

You know what I think? I think endometriosis is caused by Lyme. Just my opinion. I had a severe case of it and have had Lyme since I was a child.

My severely painful periods began when I was about 19 and continued until my hysterectomy at age 39.

LYME.......just my humble opinion

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

okie lyme
Member
Member # 7130

posted

Are you allergic to latex? most of those things have latex either in them or in the adhesive

hhhmmm~~~~
not that I know of, but who knows!!!
Having gloves on my hands doesn't seem to bother, but then I don't need them for hours at a time!! lololo
Good idea to check out though! Thanks!

Posts: 60 | From Enid, OK USA | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged |

Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374

posted

Why wouldn't endometriosis be caused by Lyme? I mean in some people at least. It causes joint pain, muscle pain, tendon pain, nerve pain, etc.

Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

Lymied
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6704

posted

Thank you all for your answers...and yes, I am starting to think endometriosis could be caused by lyme too. I have a friend up in MASS with really bad endometriosis. Interesting that some of you chimed in and feel that it could be caused by lyme.

I also met a woman recently that I think my have lyme and coinfections. She has a ton of chronic illnesses and I just have a premonition.

Anyway, thanks again. I wore the tampons this week and it was not a problem and a relief on many levels.

Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged |

Robin61
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5470

posted

Mo, i agree with your holistic practioner and while i am an ex endometriosis sufferer i am now getting it back again not sure if it is lyme related or not. But my ob said if you have endo not to wear tampons and there is a chemical in them called dioxin that is linked to endo and also the back flow from tampons can cause it as well. I only wear them now if i am going for a workout class and afterwards they are back out. Gross i know but it has helped not wearing them, Robin in Houston

Posts: 121 | From Houston, TX | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

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