Womansight: News for North Texas Women, Volume 1, Number 6, November 1980 Page: 3
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3
Toxic Tampon Controversy
HOLISTIC HEALTH
CONFERENCE
Suzanne Martin
While the mystery of toxic shock syndrome
(TSS) is slowly being solved, the controversy
about tampons is only beginning to be heard.
The link between the sometimes fatal disease
and the use of tampons is not yet clear. But the
research is turning up new information about
tampons.
In a recent issue of New West magazine,
reporter Nancy Friedman writes that tampons
can cause vaginal infections as well as ulcera-
tions of the cervix and vagina. She also notes
that the plastic tampon inserters have been
responsible for vaginal lacerations.
The "super-absorbent" tampons, such as
Tampax Super Plus and Rely, pose other dan-
gers. Friedman writes that they dry the normal
secretions of the healthy vagina wall, particularly
during the later days of a woman's menstrual
period.
Menstruating women who use tampons are
usually the victims of TSS. The Center for Disease
Control in Atlanta reports that about 400 women
have been stricken with the illness in recent
years. Of those, at least 40 have died.
Symptoms of TSS include fever of 102
degrees or more, vomiting, diarrhea, a rash
usually on the hands or face and low blood
pressure. The drop in blood pressure often
results in shock. Some of the symptoms may
not appear until the disease has reached a life
threatening stage.
Presently there is no cure for TSS. Medical
researchers are still trying to identify the toxin,
or poison, that causes the illness. They do know
that the toxin is produced by a common bacteria
strain, staphylococcus aureus. The poison enters
the blood stream and brings on the symptoms
of TSS.
The connection between the staph infection
and tampon use has not yet been established.
But, the high incidence of tampon users contrac-
ting the disease has lead the Food and Drug
Administration to consider warning labels for
the products. In part the proposed label state-
ment would read, “WARNING: Tampons have
been associated with toxic shock syndrome, a
rare disease that can be fatal.
"You can almost entirely avoid the risk of
getting this disease by not using tampons. You
can reduce the risk by using tampons on and
off during your period."
The FDA could eventually make the warn-
ing label a requirement. Already some tampon
manufacturers are voluntarily putting the labels
on their products. Others are providing package
inserts that warn women about the potential
dangers of tampon use.
But the tampon makers are not telling women
about the substances in their products. In New
West, Friedman writes that the manufacturers
are not required to release information about
chemicals and fibers used in their tampons.
Even the new “super-absorbent" tampon pro-
ducers are not letting the public in on their
secrets.
The secrecy of the tampon industry and the
association of tampons with TSS have many wo-
men searching for alternatives to tampons. Some
are returning to sanitary napkins. Others are try-
ing the use of natural menstrual sponges.
The reusable sponges are available at health
food stores and are often called “silk" sponges.
But, that can be misleading. Some “silk" sponges
are used for cosmetic purposes; for applying and
removing make-up. These are more porous and
usually lighter in color than menstrual sponges.
Menstrual sponges are generally a brownish
color and more dense than “silk" sponges. They
come in various shapes, but are usually small
enough to be comfortable. The larger ones can
be cut to a comfortable size. String, such as
dental floss, can be attached to aid in removing
the sponge.
The sponges can be used much like tampons.
Before inserting they should be rinsed thoroughly
and squeezed semi-dry. To change the sponge,
simply remove, rinse and reinsert. At the end of
a menstrual cycle the sponge should be washed
in a vinegar and water solution then stored in
a clean, dry, airy place until the next use.
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PLANNED
More than 300 women are expected to attend
a holistic health conference for women Nov.
8 at Richland College. Positive Life Skills for the
80's: A Conference for Women, will be from
9 A.M. until 5 P.M. on the college campus.
The conference is being co-sponsored by the
Women and Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention
Project of Methodist Hospital of Dallas and
Richland College. Conference workshops will
cover genera! areas including creative expression,
exercise-fitness, integrating roles, altered states
of consciousness, body nutrition, health care
and sexuality. Specific workshops include “dan-
cing your stress away, aerobics and total fitness,
single and single again, meditation, and positive
vs. negative addiction," according to Marcia
Friedman, project director.
Keynote speaker for the conference will
be Barbara McNeil, associate director of the
Wellness Clinic in Millvalley, California. The clin-
ic is known for pioneering positive skills for
persons wanting to create a healthy lifestyle.
McNeil will speak at 9 A.M. Nov. 8.
The conference will also include a panel of
two medical doctors who will speak about phar-
maceuticals and obtaining information from
health care providers.
Cost for the one day conference is $18 for
advanced registration and $21 for late registra-
tion. Participants can choose two workshops
from those offered.
To register for the conference call Richland
College at 746-4400.
PAIN CONTROL
CLINIC
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Dallas, Texas 75219
Our Specialty is:
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If you've tried conven-
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all else has
failed, acupuncture
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Let us answer your
questions.
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Womansight November 1980
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Womansight, Incorporated. Womansight: News for North Texas Women, Volume 1, Number 6, November 1980, newspaper, November 1980; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1484202/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.