Nancy King Reame, Professor Emerita at Columbia University's School of Nursing, has spent decades researching tampon safety. She was on the FDA task force that investigated the link between tampons and toxic shock syndrome in the early eighties - a deadly outbreak that killed dozens of women and affected hundreds more. Her research led to the absorbency scale printed on every box of tampons sold. Nancy King Reame says even today, we still don't fully know what goes into a tampon.

Nancy Reame is the Mary Dickey Lindsay Professor of Health Promotion, Risk Reduction (Emerita), at the Columbia University School of Nursing. This episode covers:

-The history of toxic shock syndrome and its link to tampon absorbency in the 1980s

-How tampons are still tested using a synthetic vagina and blue-dyed salt water — not menstrual fluid

-Why we don't know the specifics of what goes into a tampon

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What to listen to next: another episode on women’s health history - the story of the Dalkon Shield IUD: https://overlooked.simplecast.com/episodes/the-dark-history-of-the-dalkon-shield-iud-with-chikako-takeshita

This episode is sponsored by Raesyn Footwear. Raesyn is built for women who move - with purpose, with pace, and on their own terms. What began as a belief that walking deserves better became a movement to take it seriously again. Raesyn women's walking shoes are engineered for long walks, fast miles and all-day comfort. Overlooked listeners can click this link for a discount on their purchase: https://raesyn.com/discount/OVERLOOKED

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DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

The woman who helped make tampons safer, with Nancy King Reame

Overlooked: Women's Health Can't Wait

The woman who helped make tampons safer, with Nancy King Reame