--- title: Model Lauren Wasser on Living With Toxic Shock Syndrome description: Model Lauren Wasser, who will likely lose both of her legs due to toxic shock syndrome, wants more transparency about tampon products. canonical: https://time.com/5073451/lauren-wasser-toxic-shock-syndrome-tampons/ author: Samantha Cooney article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-12-20T15:57:34.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-02-23T18:38:40.261Z article:section: Health og:title: Model Lauren Wasser Faces Another Leg Amputation Because of Toxic Shock Syndrome og:description: Now she's advocating for more transparency in tampon products og:url: https://time.com/5073451/lauren-wasser-toxic-shock-syndrome-tampons/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5f979e3aebb5502a/6988f5eebc6cfc3a5f3e4701/lauren-wasser.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3000 og:image:height: 1688 og:image:alt: AT&T AUDIENCE Network Premieres "Loudermilk" And "Hit The Road" og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Model Lauren Wasser Faces Another Leg Amputation Because of Toxic Shock Syndrome twitter:description: Now she's advocating for more transparency in tampon products twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5f979e3aebb5502a/6988f5eebc6cfc3a5f3e4701/lauren-wasser.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Model Lauren Wasser Faces Another Leg Amputation Because of Toxic Shock Syndrome > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=76f79cb9-202d-4b27-ad49-deccd6732479&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### The seven newsletters | Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | | --- | --- | --- | | The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | | Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | | Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Weekdays | | Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Weekly | | D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Twice a week | | Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | | In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | Source: TIME, August 2026. ### Key data points | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Publishing since | 1923 | TIME | ### TIME Newsletters: key statements * Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read. * All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=76f79cb9-202d-4b27-ad49-deccd6732479&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). * The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=76f79cb9-202d-4b27-ad49-deccd6732479&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What newsletters does TIME publish? TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers. #### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to? It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters. #### Are TIME's newsletters free? Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes TIME's newsletters? TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=76f79cb9-202d-4b27-ad49-deccd6732479&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1)  by [Samantha Cooney](https://time.com/author/samantha-cooney/)  ## Samantha Cooney Dec 20, 2017 3:57 PM UTC  Lauren Wasser attends the AT&T AUDIENCE Network Premieres "Loudermilk" And "Hit The Road" on October 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Lauren Wasser attends the AT&T AUDIENCE Network Premieres "Loudermilk" And "Hit The Road" on October 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Tommaso Boddi—Getty Images for AT&T AUDIENCE N  by [Samantha Cooney](https://time.com/author/samantha-cooney/)  ## Samantha Cooney Dec 20, 2017 3:57 PM UTC Model [Lauren Wasser](http://www.instyle.com/celebrity/amputee-model-lauren-wasser-tss) will likely lose both of her legs to [toxic shock syndrome](http://time.com/4422774/tampons-toxic-cancer/) — and she wants other women to be more aware of what they’re putting in their bodies. Wasser developed the condition, which is caused by toxins from the Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria and commonly associated with [tampon use](http://time.com/4355164/tampon-tax-ends-in-states-after-year-of-the-period/), in 2012 when she was 24\. She had part of her right leg amputated later that year and told the Washington _Post_ that she’ll [inevitably need to have her left leg amputated](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/12/19/this-model-lost-a-leg-because-of-an-infection-from-tampons-heres-what-she-wants-you-to-know/?%5F%5Ftwitter%5Fimpression=true&%5F%5Ftwitter%5Fimpression=true&%5F%5Ftwitter%5Fimpression=true&tid=sm%5Ftw&utm%5Fterm=.64fef1fd1f41) in the coming months, because she is still in severe pain. Now, the model is [advocating for legislation](https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2379), introduced in May by Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney, that will require the National Institutes of Health to conduct or support research to determine the safety of ingredients in [feminine hygiene products](http://time.com/3989966/america-menstrual-crisis/). “I think this is my purpose and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Wasser told the _Post_. “I’m an athlete — my legs were everything. I had no idea what my life would be like without them.” New York University microbiology professor Philip Tierno [told TIME last year](http://time.com/4422774/tampons-toxic-cancer/) that there’s little scientific research on the health risks related to tampon use. A spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration told the _Post_ that it advises companies to conduct microbiology testing and requires all tampons to receive FDA clearance before going on the market. In 2015, Wasser’s family [filed a lawsuit](https://www.vice.com/en%5Fus/article/4wbw3d/meet-the-model-who-lost-her-leg-to-toxic-shock-syndrome-611) against Kimberly-Clark Corporation, which manufactures Kotex tampons, claiming that the company was “unlawfully responsible in some manner.” Wasser did not comment about the lawsuit to the _Post_, while Kimberly-Clark told the paper the matter was settled. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5073451/lauren-wasser-toxic-shock-syndrome-tampons/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5073451/lauren-wasser-toxic-shock-syndrome-tampons/"},"headline":"Model Lauren Wasser Faces Another Leg Amputation Because of Toxic Shock Syndrome","datePublished":"2017-12-20T15:57:34.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-23T18:38:40.261Z","description":"Model Lauren Wasser, who will likely lose both of her legs due to toxic shock syndrome, wants more transparency about tampon products.","url":"https://time.com/5073451/lauren-wasser-toxic-shock-syndrome-tampons/","keywords":["toxins","healthytime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5f979e3aebb5502a/6988f5eebc6cfc3a5f3e4701/lauren-wasser.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Samantha Cooney","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/samantha-cooney/"}],"articleSection":"Health","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5f979e3aebb5502a/6988f5eebc6cfc3a5f3e4701/lauren-wasser.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"AT&T AUDIENCE Network Premieres \"Loudermilk\" And \"Hit The Road\"","caption":"AT&T AUDIENCE Network Premieres \"Loudermilk\" And \"Hit The Road\"","creditText":"Tommaso Boddi—Getty Images for AT&T AUDIENCE N","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/health/","name":"Health"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/toxins/","name":"toxins"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5073451/lauren-wasser-toxic-shock-syndrome-tampons/","name":"Model Lauren Wasser Faces Another Leg Amputation Because of Toxic Shock Syndrome"}}]}] ```