The use of vaginal tampons during menstruation may be associated with the proliferation of bacteria on their uneven surface, unless the instructions for use provided by the manufacturer are followed. A healthy young woman presented with a false aneurysm of infectious origin, caused by Staphylococcus aureus, in connection with the use of vaginal tampons. The aneurysm manifested after the menstruation when tampons were used and during which the patient experienced an untreated feverish epizode. Vaginal colonies of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are present in nearly 40% of healthy menstruating women. Staphylococcal septicemia with the subsequent appearance of an arterial infected false aneurysm in a formerly healthy woman has not yet been described in relation to the use of vaginal tampons.

Department of Vascular Surgery Na Homolce Hospital Prague Czech Republic