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Biopolitics
Toxic Shock: A Social History
A history of Toxic Shock Syndrome
In 1978, doctors in Denver, Colorado observed several healthy children who suddenly and mysteriously developed a serious, life-threatening illness with no visible source. Their condition, which doctors dubbed ‘toxic shock syndrome’ (TSS) was rare, but observed with increasing frequency over the next few years in young women, and was soon learned to be associated with a bacterium and the use of high-absorbency tampons that had only recently gone on the market. In 1980, the Centers for Disease Control identified Rely tampons, produced by Procter & Gamble, as having the greatest association with TSS over every other tampon, and the company withdrew them from the market. To this day, however, women are frequently warned about contracting TSS through tampon use, even though very few cases are diagnosed each year.
Historian Sharra Vostral’s Toxic Shock is the first and definitive history of TSS. Vostral shows how commercial interests negatively affected women’s health outcomes; the insufficient testing of the first super-absorbency tampon; how TSS became a ‘women’s disease,’ for which women must constantly monitor their own bodies. Further, Vostral discusses the awkward, veiled and vague ways public health officials and the media discussed the risks of contracting TSS through tampon use because of social taboos around discussing menstruation, and how this has hampered regulatory actions and health communication around TSS, tampon use, and product safety.
A study at the intersection of public health and social history, Toxic Shock brings to light the complexities behind a stigmatized and under-discussed issue in women’s reproductive health. Importantly, Vostral warns that as we move forward with more and more joint replacements, implants, and internal medical devices, we must understand the relationship of technology to bacteria and recognize that both can be active agents within the human body. In other words, unexpected consequences and risks of bacteria and technology interacting with each other remain.
In 1978, doctors in Denver, Colorado observed several healthy children who suddenly and mysteriously developed a serious, life-threatening illness with no visible source. Their condition, which doctors dubbed ‘toxic shock syndrome’ (TSS) was rare, but observed with increasing frequency over the next few years in young women, and was soon learned to be associated with a bacterium and the use of high-absorbency tampons that had only recently gone on the market. In 1980, the Centers for Disease Control identified Rely tampons, produced by Procter & Gamble, as having the greatest association with TSS over every other tampon, and the company withdrew them from the market. To this day, however, women are frequently warned about contracting TSS through tampon use, even though very few cases are diagnosed each year.
Historian Sharra Vostral’s Toxic Shock is the first and definitive history of TSS. Vostral shows how commercial interests negatively affected women’s health outcomes; the insufficient testing of the first super-absorbency tampon; how TSS became a ‘women’s disease,’ for which women must constantly monitor their own bodies. Further, Vostral discusses the awkward, veiled and vague ways public health officials and the media discussed the risks of contracting TSS through tampon use because of social taboos around discussing menstruation, and how this has hampered regulatory actions and health communication around TSS, tampon use, and product safety.
A study at the intersection of public health and social history, Toxic Shock brings to light the complexities behind a stigmatized and under-discussed issue in women’s reproductive health. Importantly, Vostral warns that as we move forward with more and more joint replacements, implants, and internal medical devices, we must understand the relationship of technology to bacteria and recognize that both can be active agents within the human body. In other words, unexpected consequences and risks of bacteria and technology interacting with each other remain.
- GenresNonfiction
240 pages, Hardcover
Published November 27, 2018
About the author
Sharra L. Vostral
1 bookSharra L. Vostral is Associate Professor of History at Purdue University. She is the author of Under Wraps: A History of Menstrual Hygiene Technology.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 4, 2023
I initially read the article that preceded this book. The preliminary research was both fascinating and somewhat terrifying.
I found myself continually imagining a movie about that particular historical moment, when numerous events were unfolding. Particularly, the launch of a new tampon that triggered an outbreak of a new disease, followed by a sequence of significant developments in women's health.
Understanding the behind-the-scenes of that period, and its impact that persists to this day, especially the fear of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and product recommendations, is truly enlightening.
I found myself continually imagining a movie about that particular historical moment, when numerous events were unfolding. Particularly, the launch of a new tampon that triggered an outbreak of a new disease, followed by a sequence of significant developments in women's health.
Understanding the behind-the-scenes of that period, and its impact that persists to this day, especially the fear of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and product recommendations, is truly enlightening.
June 16, 2025
This book was recommended on a podcast, which referenced it heavily. I was interested in the content and decided I would give it a read. I was not disappointed! A compelling and well-researched deep dive into one of the more overlooked medical and cultural crises of the late 20th century. Toxic Shock: A Social History offers a thorough, fact-rich narrative that goes beyond headlines to explore the social, scientific, and corporate dynamics surrounding the TSS crisis. I really appreciated the level of detail and background provided. Undoubtedly a solid, informative read. Highly recommend for those interested in public health, feminist history, or niche medical case studies.
October 23, 2019
Extremely thorough and fascinating history of the science and politics surrounding toxic shock syndrome. Plenty of jaw-dropping facts and anecdotes here, and the book covers history which has significant repercussions today. What may be most eye-opening is how corporations have managed to shift the blame for any modern TSS cases from their own potentially lethal products onto the people using them.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews