Reduction in<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>Growth and Exotoxin Production and in Vaginal Interleukin 8 Levels Due to Glycerol Monolaurate in Tampons

Abstract

Tampons that contain GML reduce S. aureus exotoxin production. S. aureus increases vaginal IL-8 levels, and GML reduces production of this proinflammatory cytokine. These results suggest that GML added to tampons provides additional safety relative to menstrual toxic shock syndrome as well as benefits for vaginal health generally, thus supporting the addition of GML to tampons.