Love Island star Maura Higgins has opened up about how she almost died from toxic shock syndrome after medics found a tampon inside her, three months after she used it.
The NHS states toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into the body and releasing harmful toxins. It's often associated with tampon use in young women, but it can affect anyone of any age, and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
The Love Island star has spoken about her experience with the condition and how she hopes to raise awareness of the risks for people, The Mirror reports.
Maura, 31, is set to appear on Shopping with Keith Lemon on ITV, where she will discuss her experience, as well as how women can achieve the perfect orgasm on their own.
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Recalling her experience, the former grid girl explained she believed she was going to die, before adding: "I'm not a doctor, I don't know much about that, but I know you are not meant to leave a tampon inside for more than, in think, it's nine hours, I think that’s the max. There was a tampon inside me for three months.
"When the doctor found it, it was stuck to my cervix and I was so ill, I did not know what was going on."
Maura explained that she was "so ill" before adding she had to leave the room after it had been removed due to the smell of the tampon.
"There were people that have died from that happening," she said, before continuing: "young girls might not have noticed, like you go on a night out, what if you got really drunk and forgot, like, these things actually do happen, and people don't speak about it.
"I remember even being in school, I used to get my tampon out the bag, push it up my sleeve and then go to the toilet like that…thinking back, why was I doing that? It's nothing to be ashamed about, that's why I think it's an important topic."
Maura went on to say that many of her friends have never had a proper orgasm in their lives.
She said: "I don't think people understand, you actually have to teach yourself how to orgasm, it's not about how good the man is or whatever, it's about you as a woman.
"Us women don't understand, how lucky we are, the woman that can, do you know what I mean?"
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