Woman Loses Her Legs Due To Common Household Product, Now She’s Warning Women Everywhere

*Note: This story originally made headlines in July 2023.*

Lauren Wasser, a 35-year-old model from Los Angeles, has turned personal tragedy into a mission to protect women’s health. Wasser nearly died from **Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)**, a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection linked to tampon use. The condition cost her both legs below the knee and transformed her into a passionate advocate for transparency in feminine hygiene products.

Wasser’s ordeal began in 2012, when she was just 24. Initially mistaking her symptoms for the flu, she collapsed in her apartment and was found unconscious during a wellness check by her mother. By then, her fever had reached 107 degrees, leading to organ failure and a massive heart attack. Doctors quickly suspected TSS. Though her life was saved, gangrene developed in her legs, forcing the amputation of her right leg, and later, her left.

The recovery was brutal. Wasser spent months in a wheelchair, struggling with despair and suicidal thoughts. Over the years, worsening pain made it clear that her remaining leg would also need to be amputated. She described the experience as physically and emotionally devastating, recounting how she first overheard a nurse confirm her leg’s fate over the phone.

Today, Wasser is channeling her pain into activism. On Steven Bartlett’s *Diary of a CEO* podcast, she shared her story and warned of hidden dangers in menstrual products, including chlorine bleach, dioxin, and synthetic fibers. She works alongside fellow advocates and lawmakers—such as Democratic congresswoman Carolyn Maloney—to push for legislation requiring full ingredient disclosure on tampon packaging.

Despite her challenges, Wasser has thrived in the fashion industry, modeling for brands like Lacoste, Furla, and Shiseido. Nicknamed *“fashion’s Girl with the Golden Legs”* for her striking prosthetics, she continues to inspire others with her resilience and determination.

Her story is a powerful reminder that while TSS is rare, its consequences can be devastating. Awareness, transparency, and safer products are vital to protecting women’s health.