Toxic Shock Syndrome and Estrogen Therapy

Excerpt

To the Editor: Estrogen administration may play a role in the treatment of the toxic shock syndrome. I recently treated a woman with the toxic shock syndrome who did not respond to conventional therapy until her menstrual period was stopped with an injection of estrogen.

A 34 year-old white woman presented with a 3-day history of myalgias, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and weakness. Her menstrual period had started 4 days before admission; she used a hyperabsorbent tampon and changed it every 8 hours. Her blood pressure was 60/0 and temperature was 39.5 0C. She had diffuse lower abdominal pain, tender cervix