Originally reported July 2023
Lauren Wasser, a 35-year-old model, is issuing a stark warning to women everywhere after a near-fatal encounter with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) linked to a tampon left her with both legs amputated below the knee. The traumatic experience, which could have cost her life, has fueled her determination to raise awareness about the risks associated with everyday feminine hygiene products.
Wasser recounted her ordeal in detail on The Diary Of A CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett. What started as what seemed like ordinary flu-like symptoms escalated at a terrifying pace, culminating in a massive heart attack that required life support. Soon after, gangrene set in, ravaging her legs and forcing doctors to make the heartbreaking decision to amputate.
Now residing in Los Angeles, Wasser has turned her personal tragedy into advocacy. She is speaking out to educate women and young girls about the hidden dangers of tampons and other feminine hygiene products. Beyond awareness, she is calling for legislative action to ensure full transparency in product labeling, aiming to prevent others from experiencing similar life-altering consequences.
Lauren Wasser in the hospital, Photo Credit: theimpossiblemuse/Instagram
In 2012, at just 24 years old, Lauren Wasser made the difficult decision to decline a full basketball scholarship in order to pursue a career in fashion. She could not have anticipated how drastically her life would change. What began as what she assumed was a simple case of the flu quickly escalated into a life-threatening situation. Found unconscious in her apartment, covered in vomit and feces, it was a wellness check by her mother that ultimately saved her life.
Wasser’s body temperature had soared to a perilous 107 degrees, triggering a heart attack and multiple organ failure. After running tests, an infectious disease specialist identified the cause: Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but deadly bacterial infection that is often misdiagnosed because its early symptoms mimic those of more common illnesses.
Although her life was spared, the damage caused by gangrene in her legs was irreversible, forcing doctors to amputate. Wasser vividly recounted the excruciating burning pain in her feet and the harrowing decision to amputate her right leg as a measure to preserve her life.
Lauren Wasser laying in a hospital bed after having her legs amputated, Photo Credit: theimpossiblemuse/Instagram
The full extent of her ordeal became clear to Wasser in an unexpected and harrowing moment—she overheard a nurse on the phone discussing the fate of her legs. The combination of trauma and the intense pain she endured after her initial amputations left deep emotional scars.
Following her discharge, Wasser spent eight long months confined to a wheelchair. During that period, she battled profound despair, struggled with suicidal thoughts, and wrestled with an overwhelming desire to escape her suffering.
Although her left leg had initially been spared, years of relentless pain ultimately forced her to make another agonizing decision: to amputate it as well, just before reaching her 30th birthday.
Gangrene damage to Lauren Wasser’s feet, Photo Credit: theimpossiblemuse/Instagram
In her mission to raise awareness about Toxic Shock Syndrome, Lauren Wasser has drawn attention to troubling ingredients found in some tampons, including chlorine bleach, dioxin, and synthetic fibers. She underscores the urgent need for greater transparency in women’s menstrual products to help prevent future tragedies.
Wasser’s advocacy extends beyond her own experience. She works closely with others affected by TSS, including Madeline Mosby, a mother who lost her teenage daughter to the condition. Together, they are pushing for legislation aimed at promoting safer menstrual products and ensuring consumers have full knowledge of what they are using.
Additionally, Wasser collaborates with Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney to support a bill that would require feminine hygiene product manufacturers to clearly list all ingredients on their packaging.
Despite the immense challenges she has faced, Wasser has built a successful career in fashion, appearing in campaigns for high-profile brands such as Lacoste, Furla, and Shiseido. She has earned the affectionate nickname “fashion’s Girl with the Golden Legs,” a nod to her striking golden prosthetic limbs.
Lauren Wasser wearing golden prosthetic legs, Photo Credit: theimpossiblemuse/Instagram
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) develops when normally harmless bacteria on the skin enter the bloodstream and release dangerous toxins. Its symptoms can include high fever, low blood pressure, vomiting, confusion, and seizures. Although rare, the condition predominantly affects women who use tampons, highlighting the critical need for awareness and education.
While tampon packaging already includes warnings about the risk of TSS if left in place for more than eight hours, Lauren Wasser’s story underscores the importance of heightened vigilance, additional precautions, and full transparency in menstrual product labeling.
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