Question for female GCers (men beware!)
 

As I was shopping today I came across a product called Instead. Anyone ever used these before? Just curious if they worked well.

I just discovered this the other day as well. I haven't tried it. It looks...interesting.

What is it?

Instead of what?? LOL

wow... never seen it before

I've heard of it but I've never used it. I'm kinda scared to actually. I understand the concept, but wouldn't it be rather messy on removal?

That is just strange looking.

I don't care what they say on the site, I don't see how removing them could possibly be clean...yuck

Yeah, I definitely agree!! :eek:

I was thinking the same thing.

Tampons have been queasing me out as of late, so any alternative sounds great, especially if you can wear it for longer and not have to worry about putting a towel under you at "special times."

By the way, does anyone use Naturacare?

I heard about this when it first came on the market because there was a lot of publicity, but...as interesting as it sounds, I think I'll pass for now.

Man, those things go really far in. It reminds me of those applicator-less tampons. Which I'm afraid to try as well.

It reminds me of "spongeworthy" for some reason

Okay, you know I don't ususally respond to these thread types, but...

I used it a few times years ago, back in 1997 or so. It is not hard to put in and was very comfortable. The problem for me was the removal...let's just say...it was challenging to remain "spill free." As I recall, disposal wasn't a day in the park either (I hate wrapping and looking for trash cans).

I might be willing to use it again though one day. I assume with a little practice, you can achieve a "spill free" status.

ETA: I usually use applicator-less, and I do recall Instead being a bit more comfortable than that once in.

I bought a box of them a couple of years ago, intending to give them a try one month when I could be at home all day "just in case". The box is still unopened and gathering dust.

They say you can have sex while using one...

I think it would just be messy all around.

Ive seen them and been tempted to try...but the whole concept seems tooo messy!!

Not putting it in..but taking it out!!

The idea of being able to use it at "special times" is interesting...
but one week of "rest" hasn't killed anyone I know! LOL

God had one day of rest, beautiful women need 4 or so :)

Actually, OB are pretty good. They don't leak as much as Tampax does.

Do you mean "Natracare"?
I have, but they're expensive (they are considered to be more environmentally friendly or something.... well, the power of the dollar won out and I'm back to the cheaper, mass produced brands).

Words from the Women's Health Nut...
 

Yes, I meant "Natracare," I can never remember how to spell it. I love them! Where I get them, they were about 26 cents each, and since I don't use that many (one box of ten gets me through two and a half cycles), I'm willing to splurge for environmental friendliness. The cotton is chlorine-free, which is good because the chlorine in mainstream tampons isn't good for women's bodies. Remember, our mothers were the first generation to use tampons on a regular basis, so the full impact of them on our bodies isn't known yet.

Once you go applicator-free, you never go back! Back to the environmental thing--applicators are just wasteful. OB and Natracare have designs that make them expand wider when they are exposed to moisture--preventing leaks, while Tampax just gets longer. I've never gotten messy using an applicator-free tampon, and since I'm used to them now, they're easier than using a traditional one.

Wasn't a similar product on the market years ago, but taken off because of Toxic Shock Syndrome?

I don't know if any of y'all have ever used a diaphragm, but it's the same concept. And just as messy during "that time". blech.

Re: Words from the Women's Health Nut...
 

I went back. I'm a convert to the new Tampax Pearl.
Haven't had any leaks or anything ::knocks on wood::

Since we're on a female topic anyway...i asked my doc about the whole skipping a month w/the pill, and she said that there is going to be a new pill comming out end of this year/begin next where you would only have to get your period 4 times a year. apparently, the male creators of the orginal pill thought that women wouldn't feel natural without getting it once a month.
figures they would think this-THEY WERE MALES!!!
any thoughts on that? personally, i can't wait!!

You can put me down on the list for being first in line to try that new pill. I REALLY wanted to try Depo this last time around (after my last yearly), but the Dr. completely scared me out of it..... Between all of the horror stories and possible weight gain issues, I left completely discouraged at trying it. I was really disappointed, because it seemed like such a great concept. So, hopefully this new pill will have at least some of the convenience that Depo offers (few to no periods) without the nasty side-effects. :)

Yeah I think that pill is called Seasonal. Or something similar to that.


Courtney

OMG that's hilarious.. that's what I was thinking too!!!

http://www.softcup.com/images2/hand.jpg

This looks so wrong...

..why does it have to look like a bottle nipple?

PS: I don't really trust this one either..but it'd probably be nice if you have really light periods though.

That just seems wrong. Gross mental picture of spilling blood!

Slightly on the subject...

Does anyone have chronic migraines and is on the pill? I have been told that they can make them stronger and more frequent.

Oh man here's a Random Story....

So go back about two years and I am sitting in a Chapter meeting; our Archon (President) has an annoucenment she wants to share with us. (I think no big thing right...) well, she jumps up and starts passing out pamplets of "Instead". (she is a little random at times but I kept thinking OMG!)

Not only did she starts swearing by the product she busted out with one in a zipped-lock bag. the gross deal was it was hers!!! (it was clean of course)Well the 40 or so of us aren't always the most mature at times and we were dying of laughter after that...

Lets just say she shouldn't go into sales for the company :)


(I could never use it; too gross because I am definitely not coordinated enough. I'd spill for sure)

I have used instead since fall and love them, they are the best things ever i swear by them !!!

I LOVE Instead! I switched to them for lots of reasons, and I tried switching back to OB after a few months-- I HATED it! I could totally feel it inside of me and it felt gross. Instead are great. You can leave them in longer, fool around with them in (no, it's not messy at all), and there's no string hanging out. You can't feel them if they're in properly. Seriously, it's like you don't have your period at all! You only have to deal with them twice a day. Taking them out can be a little messy the first couple of times until you get the hang of it, but we all wash our hands after going to the bathroom anyway, right?

I don't care what anyone says, Instead sounds like ONE BIG NASTY MESS! Put me on the list for Seasonals.

oh my goodness....these sort of scare me. someone mentioned that they looked like nipples on bottles, but all i could think of is condoms.

i can totally see myself putting this in ok and then dumping a cupful of blood on myself on the way out! i don't think i am brave enough for these.

as far as the sex stuff....our periods naturally stop when we are sexually aroused. so if you get in the "mood," you can remove the tampon and no blood until you are all done!

tampons: playtex definately work better for me. tampax just get longer and my body doesn't work that way. i know people who couldn't wear playtex, so i guess it just depends on the shape of your body!

Is it just me, or does this cup look really small, what about the girls w/ heavy cycles?

I'm the same way. Tampax are terrible. Playtex are much much better for me. And cheaper.

Nope, still not sold on these suckers... I'll stick with my OB without the applicator- no applicator to dispose of, no occasional 'pinching', it fits in better, and no fear of leaks, which is great because my bikini is white. Now, I just need to figure out why the only OB the local Food Lion sells is applicatorless Super Ultra or whatever. I don't get heavy periods on the patch so I don't need a whole damn cotton plant...sheesh!

[/rant]

I am absolutely terrified of using that - I know they're supposed to stay, but with my luck, it'd spill everywhere. I suck at periods.

I am interested in the applicatorless though, because applicators are gross and I HATE bathroom trash during period week, so that would make it a lot nicer...

Is there a Whole Foods Market around you? I know they're pretty pricey and all, but they do sell applicatorless tampons (the aforementioned Natracare, and bigger stores probably sell others). They are best for light to medium flow, so you wouldn't have to worry about the Super Ultra :eek: OB!

Anybody use the Keeper?
 

The Keeper is a rubber cup that is similar to Instead, but its reusable. Most of the people I know who use it really like it. When I go off the Depo, I intend to give this product a try.

Wow, I am not sure what I think about these. After reading everyone's posts, I am a little less weary about them. But at the same time, I am not good with the applicatorless tampons. So, this might not be a product for me. I don't think my boyfriend would want to do the deed with me wearing this...he would prolly knock it out or something with our luck! :eek: