When were commercial tampons were first introduced in Japan.  Also,
was TSS (toxic shock syndrome) ever reported there?  If yes, were the
cases linked to the Rely tampon?  Was the Rely tampon even ever
marketed in Japan?

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 06 Nov 2006 16:56 PST

sturge-ga,

I found a number of mentions of toxic shock syndrome cases in Japan,
but they were classified as TSS based on the bacteria that caused
them, rather than on any relation to tampon use (some of the TSS
patients were men).

Can you clarify whether you are interested in non-tampon related cases
of TSS?  Also, if those are the only cases that turn up in a search,
should we post them as an answer to your question?


Thanks,

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by sturge-ga on 10 Nov 2006 08:14 PST

I am interested only in tampon related cases.  So there is no need to
report other causes.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 10 Nov 2006 08:38 PST

sturge-ga,

Thanks for clarifying.  If I could ask for one more bit of feedback. 
You've actually asked four distinct questions, and it's unlikely that
a researcher would be able to answer all four, as the information may
simply not be available.

Can you suggest a way of narrowing the focus somewhat?  Or perhaps you
would consider posting each question separately, so as to maximize the
odds that the information can be found.

Just a thought...let me know what you think.  

paf

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Clarification of Question by sturge-ga on 13 Nov 2006 07:16 PST

Thanks for the suggestion.  I am not sure how to narrow it down, so I
will repost as 4 separate questions.

As for the first point: According to the Japanese Wikipedia,
commercial tampons were first introduced in Japan in 1950 by Eisai Co.
Ltd.

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%BF%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9D%E3%83%B3

Scriptor