Lauren Wasser was a successful model from California when her life changed overnight – because of a product most women use without a second thought.
In 2012, the then-24-year-old suddenly began to feel very ill. She had a high fever and flu-like symptoms, so she went to the hospital thinking she’d caught a bad virus.
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Doctors soon discovered it wasn’t the flu at all – it was menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS), a dangerous reaction triggered by bacterial toxins.
The source of the infection? – A tampon.
Tampons, especially when they’re left in for many hours, can create conditions in which certain bacteria release toxins into the body. In rare cases, this can lead to toxic shock syndrome – a fast-moving, life-threatening condition.
“I had a 1% chance of surviving”
Lauren had been using her usual brand, Kotex Natural Balance, exactly as the instructions said. But this time, something went terribly wrong.
Her body spiraled into crisis: her temperature shot up to around 42°C (107°F), her kidneys and other organs began to fail, and she suffered two heart attacks. Doctors later told her she had about a 1% chance of survival.
She spent more than a week in a coma. When she finally woke up, she was given devastating news: to save her life, doctors had been forced to amputate one of her legs.
Lauren’s career, identity, and daily life were suddenly turned upside down. She couldn’t walk, couldn’t model, and felt like she’d lost herself. In her darkest moments, she admits she even considered ending her life.
A second amputation – and a turning point
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The nightmare didn’t end there.
Seven years after her initial illness, the damage caused by toxic shock syndrome forced doctors to amputate her other leg as well. For someone whose body had been central to her work and confidence, it was another shocking blow.
What kept her from giving up entirely was one powerful thought: her younger brother. She couldn’t bear the idea of him being the one to find her if she did something irreversible. That thought kept her holding on long enough for her mindset to slowly shift.
Over time, Lauren began to see her story not as a final defeat, but as a brutal challenge – one she could turn into a mission.
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From victim to advocate
As she learned more, Lauren realized that menstrual toxic shock syndrome had been affecting and killing women for decades, often with little public awareness. That realization lit a fire in her.
She launched a legal battle against the tampon brand she had used and started speaking out in interviews and articles about what happened to her. She wanted women everywhere to understand the very real risks associated with tampons – especially when worn too long.
Lauren has stressed how important it is to be honest about what goes into products designed for such a sensitive part of the body:
The vagina, she points out, is one of the most absorbent parts of the body and a direct route to vital organs. Consumers deserve to know what they’re using and what can happen if something goes wrong.
Her message is simple but sharp:
“I should still have my legs. No woman should have to risk her life just by using a tampon.”
Turning prosthetics into “golden legs”
Accepting her new reality was not instant. It happened step by step.
Eventually, Lauren decided she wouldn’t hide her prosthetic legs – she would celebrate them. Inspired by rapper A$AP Rocky’s gold “grills,” she had her prosthetic legs cast in gold, turning them into something bold and eye-catching rather than something to be ashamed of.
“Why not wear gold jewelry all the time?” she joked.
Today, she lives a highly active life: she runs about five miles a day, hikes with her dog, does Pilates, plays basketball, and has even returned to the fashion world, starring in a global lingerie campaign.
“There’s nothing I can’t do,” she says. “Plus, I don’t need any pedicures.”
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“Own who you are”
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Lauren’s story is now about more than just tampons or even toxic shock syndrome. It’s about identity, resilience, and refusing to be defined by what happened to you.
She encourages others to own who they are – scars, prosthetics, trauma and all. Even on days you don’t feel strong, she says, walking out the door with your head up can inspire someone else to keep going.
She also pushes back against the pressure to always appear happy and perfect, especially on social media. It’s okay not to be okay; what matters is finding a way to move forward and take back control of your life.
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Lauren continues to share her story so that no other woman has to be blindsided by the risks of toxic shock syndrome. She stands as a voice for those who didn’t survive, and a warning for anyone who still thinks a tampon could never be dangerous.
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