Woman Loses Both Her Legs And Almost Dies After Using Tampon Correctly

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A woman lost both her legs and almost died after using a tampon correctly.

Most people use tampons without ever imagining something could go catastrophically wrong.

For millions, they’re simply a normal part of everyday life during menstruation: convenient, widely available, and considered safe when used correctly.

But one woman’s life changed forever after what initially seemed like an ordinary period.

Now, years later, she’s continuing to speak out in the hope that more people understand the warning signs of a rare but potentially deadly condition many had never even heard of before her story went viral.

Flu-like symptoms quickly became life-threatening

Lauren Wasser was just 24 years old in 2012 when she suddenly became seriously ill.

At the time, the California model says she was carefully following the instructions provided with her tampons, changing them regularly and doing everything she believed was medically recommended.

According to guidance from the US Food & Drug Administration, users are advised to change tampons every four to eight hours and avoid wearing a single tampon longer than eight hours at a time.

Wasser says she followed those directions exactly.

But during her period, she suddenly began experiencing severe flu-like symptoms that rapidly worsened over the course of a single day.

At first, neither she nor the people around her realized how dangerous the situation had become.

Friends reportedly noticed she seemed extremely unwell while out together and encouraged her to go home and rest.

Later, after family members were unable to reach her, concern quickly escalated.

Her mother eventually contacted the police to perform a welfare check.

When officers arrived, they reportedly noted that Wasser appeared sick but did not initially realize how critical her condition truly was.

Hours later, she would be found collapsed face down on the floor of her apartment.

Doctors later told her family she had been ’10 minutes from death.’

Speaking later about the terrifying experience, Wasser recalled how rapidly her body began shutting down.

“I was extremely hot. By this time, I was developing a 41.5 (107°F) fever, so I wanted all of my clothes off,” she said.

“My dog was jumping on me ferociously and barking at me. She knew something was wrong. My body was shutting down.”

She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where doctors desperately tried to keep her alive.

Doctors gave her almost no chance of survival

Once hospitalized, Wasser’s condition deteriorated dramatically.

Her organs began failing, she suffered two heart attacks, and doctors reportedly struggled to understand why an otherwise healthy young woman was suddenly dying in front of them.

“They couldn’t figure out why this young, healthy 24-year-old girl was dying before them,” Wasser later explained.

According to reports, medical staff eventually gave her only a one percent chance of survival.

Her kidneys failed, her body went into septic shock, and tissue damage throughout her limbs became irreversible.

Doctors later diagnosed her with Toxic Shock Syndrome, more commonly known as TSS.

The rare but life-threatening condition is caused by toxins released by certain strains of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.

Although TSS can affect anyone, it has long been associated with tampon use.

According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors can include skin wounds, surgery, menstrual cups, diaphragms, birth control sponges, and tampons.

The condition remains extremely uncommon.

Health organizations estimate that toxic shock syndrome affects roughly one in every 100,000 menstruating people annually in the United States.

But despite how rare it is, the illness can escalate incredibly fast once symptoms begin.

For Wasser, the damage became devastating. Doctors were ultimately forced to amputate her right leg below the knee in order to save her life.

She also lost toes and portions of tissue on her left foot.

Years later, after enduring what she described as constant and unbearable pain, she underwent a second amputation to remove her remaining leg in 2018.

“Everything happened so fast,” she recalled. “My life, within 24 hours, completely changed, and there was no going back.”

Her story sparked worldwide debate about tampon safety

As news of Wasser’s experience spread online, reactions flooded social media from people shocked by how quickly toxic shock syndrome could become fatal.

Many admitted they had never realized TSS could occur even when tampons were used properly.

“This could happen to any woman at any time,” one person commented after hearing her story.

Another wrote: “Thank you, Lauren, for being brave enough to share your story even if it only helps one person.”

Others described the ordeal as “terrifying” and “unimaginable.”

Wasser has repeatedly stressed that one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding TSS is the belief that it only happens when tampons are left in too long.

She argues that while following medical guidance is important, the condition can still occur even when products are used correctly.

Cleveland Clinic also notes there is no exact timeframe predicting when symptoms may begin.

Over the years, Wasser has used her platform to campaign for greater transparency around menstrual product safety and better awareness of TSS symptoms.

She has supported efforts calling for more research into tampon ingredients and menstrual health products, while also encouraging people to recognize symptoms early and seek medical help immediately if something feels wrong.

“It’s my goal and life mission to make sure that not only is this information out there but women have these conversations amongst each other,” she said. “Knowledge is key.”

Her warnings have become increasingly important as videos discussing menstrual products, health scares, and viral ‘hacks’ continue circulating widely online.

Medical experts consistently advise that anyone experiencing sudden fever, vomiting, dizziness, rash, confusion, or flu-like symptoms while using tampons should seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Lauren Wasser’s life today looks very different

Despite everything she endured, Wasser eventually rebuilt both her life and career.

Now widely known online as ‘the girl with the golden legs,’ she returned to modeling after her amputations and became one of the fashion industry’s most recognizable disability advocates.

Over the years, she has appeared in Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, and major runway shows including Louis Vuitton.

She also became known for her signature gold prosthetic legs, which she intentionally turned into part of her public image rather than hiding them.

And recently, Wasser once again found herself making headlines.

In May 2026, she made her Met Gala debut wearing a gold Prabal Gurung outfit paired with her now-famous golden prosthetics. Vogue described the look as one of the standout appearances of the night.

Several outlets covering the event also highlighted how Wasser continues using high-profile fashion appearances to raise awareness about toxic shock syndrome and disability representation.

Today, she remains outspoken about the experience that nearly killed her more than a decade ago.

And while she now exclusively uses pads instead of tampons, she says her biggest priority is ensuring more people understand that toxic shock syndrome can happen frighteningly fast, even to someone who followed every instruction correctly.

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