A new study shows that a new tampon coating may lower the risk of toxic shock syndrome.

The key to its success: a fiber finish called glycerol monolaurate, or GML, that reduces the production of the toxin that causes menstrual TSS, says researcher Pat Schlievert, M.D., a professor of microbiology at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis.

His team’s study of more than 200 women also showed that the new coating promotes vaginal health, facilitating an environment with a protective bacterial balance, he tells WebMD.

However encouraging this might sound, I feel it’s important to consider both the very beginning and the very end of the article:

Manufacturer Johnson & Johnson hopes to have it on the market in the near future, Schlievert says…Johnson & Johnson funded the study.

Hmmmmm.

Menstruation can be a tricky business. On the one hand, you don’t want the squelchy grossness and seriously visible panty line that goes with sanitary towels; on the other hand, you’d rather not shove a chemically-treated, often bloody uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening tampon up your chuff.

This is where the Mooncup comes in. I’ve had one of these for a few months now and whilst there is a bit of a knack to insertion and removal, it works, it’s perfectly hygienic, environmentally friendly, economically sound (trust me - after the initial £20 outlay you’ll never buy tampons again), won’t kill you, and won’t require you to hand over your hard-earned cash every month to companies who try to persuade you that bravery entails wearing a skirt.

Posted by Samara Ginsberg on 20 September 2007, at 1:08 PM