Please take note that this story, which first appeared in the news in July 2023, is being republished.
Model Lauren Wasser, 35, recently talked about her near-death experience with tampon-induced toxic shock syndrome (TSS). She had both of her legs amputated below the knee as a result of the traumatic experience, and she was determined to spread awareness of the possible dangers of feminine hygiene products.
In an interview with Steven Bartlett for The Diary Of A CEO, Wasser described her terrifying experience. Flu-like symptoms soon turned into a severe heart attack that required life support. She was forced to amputate both of her legs after Gangrene grabbed hold of them.
Wasser, who is now located in Los Angeles, is working to educate women and young girls about the hidden risks associated with tampons. She is supporting legislation that requires feminine hygiene products to be transparent.
Wasser declined a full basketball scholarship in 2012 at the age of 24 in order to focus on her fashion business. She had no idea how drastically her life would change. She was discovered comatose and close to death in her flat, covered in vomit and excrement, after becoming ill and initially thinking it was the flu. Her life had been saved by her mother’s wellness check.
Her very high fever of 107 degrees caused organ failure and a heart attack. After testing, an infectious disease specialist suspected TSS. Because its symptoms mimic those of more prevalent illnesses, TSS, an uncommon and potentially fatal bacterial infection, is frequently misdiagnosed.
Wasser’s life was saved, but her legs had irreparable gangrene damage that required amputation. She talked about the agonizing burning feeling in her feet and the painful choice to amputate her right leg in order to preserve her life.
When she heard a nurse talking on the phone, she suddenly realized what had happened to her leg. She was scarred by the ordeal and the suffering she experienced after being amputated.
Wasser was in a wheelchair for eight months after being released from the hospital. She struggled with hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, and an unwavering determination to put an end to her pain.
Wasser saved her left leg at first, but as the years went by, the excruciating discomfort forced her to make the painful decision to have it amputated before turning thirty.
As part of her efforts to increase awareness of TSS, Wasser drew attention to potentially harmful tampon materials like synthetic fibers, dioxin, and chlorine bleach. She underlined how urgently women’s menstruation products need to be more transparent.
Working with people who have been affected by TSS, such as Madeline Mosby, a mother who lost her teenage daughter to the disorder, is one aspect of Wasser’s advocacy work. They work together to enact laws that support openness and safer menstruation supplies.
Wasser also works with Democratic congresswoman Carolyn Maloney to advocate legislation that would mandate that producers of feminine hygiene products disclose all ingredients on their packaging.
Despite her difficult path, Wasser has established herself in the fashion world by starring in advertisements for high-end labels like Shiseido, Furla, and Lacoste. Because of her golden prosthetic limbs, she is lovingly referred to as “fashion’s Girl with the Golden Legs.”
When normally innocuous skin germs enter the circulation and release harmful toxins, toxic shock syndrome happens. High temperature, hypotension, vomiting, disorientation, and seizures are among the symptoms. Although uncommon, it mostly impacts tampon-using women, highlighting the importance of knowledge.
Although tampon packaging already warns of the fatal infection that might develop if left in for longer than eight hours, Wasser’s experience emphasizes the significance of extra safety measures and openness.
