In May 1980, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) organized a task force to study toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a new illness associated with tampon use.

In 1980, 890 cases of TSS were reported, 812 (91%) of which were associated with menstruation. In 1989, 61 cases of TSS were reported, 45 (74%) of which were menstrual. In 1980, 38 (5%) of 772 women with menstrual TSS died; in 1988 and 1989, there were no deaths among women with menstrual TSS.

The number of TSS cases reported annually to CDC has decreased substantially in the 10-year period since menstrual TSS was first recognized. Changes in public awareness and diminished attention to TSS in the medical literature might have resulted in reduced diagnosis and reporting. However, reporting of nonmenstrual TSS has remained constant during this time while menstrual TSS reporting has decreased.