Woman Loses Her Legs Due To Common Household Product, Now She’s Warning Women Everywhere
(Note: This article revisits a story that originally gained widespread attention in July 2023.)
Lauren Wasser, a 35-year-old model and activist, has shared her powerful story of survival after a near-fatal encounter with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection linked to tampon use. Her experience, which led to the amputation of both legs, has become a catalyst for global awareness and change in women’s health transparency.
Wasser recounted the traumatic events during an episode of The Diary Of A CEO podcast, where she described how what began as flu-like symptoms quickly spiraled into a medical emergency. Within days, she suffered a heart attack, was placed on life support, and developed severe gangrene that ultimately forced doctors to amputate both legs below the knee.
Now based in Los Angeles, Wasser has transformed her tragedy into a mission. She advocates tirelessly for increased awareness about TSS and the need for legislation requiring full ingredient disclosure on feminine hygiene product labels. Her story serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly TSS can progress — and the urgent importance of informed choices regarding women’s health.
Lauren’s ordeal began in 2012 when, at age 24, she was living her dream as an up-and-coming fashion model. After turning down a full basketball scholarship to pursue her career, her life took a devastating turn. Initially believing she had the flu, she was later found unconscious in her apartment during a wellness check by her mother — a moment that ultimately saved her life.
Her fever had reached a dangerous 107 degrees, and she had suffered a heart attack caused by toxic shock. Tests later confirmed the diagnosis. TSS, though rare, can be fatal if not detected early, as its symptoms often mimic those of common illnesses such as the flu.