Has Anyone Tried Using the INSTEAD Cup Instead of Tampons/pads??

I LOVE my Diva Cup!!!! I tried the instead cup first but it didn't really work out for me. I switched to the Diva Cup and had much much better results.

Another vote for the Diva Cup. Haven't seen the Instead, but it sounds kind of strange that you can actually have sex with it in. How does THAT work? Diva cup definitely takes a while to get used to as others have mentioned but I won't go back to tampons. Good luck!

not to scare u from trying it but when i did i couldnt get it out,,almost had to go to er,and that thought made me beg hubby to remove it which sure proved his love to me! just my experience

Hi K.~
I haven't tried it, but I have also checked it out on the shelf, and wondered about it... looking forward to reading your responses.

hi K.-
i have used them and they are just a bit tricky to get in. if it is not a perfect fit, they don't create the needed seal and then they leak. but they do work for intercourse, too which is a nice benefit. neither of you know it is there!
i don't tend to use them all the time, but i find they are easy to use and change out, too. good luck
J.

Hi, K.!
I've used Instead Cups before & I liked them.

But in all honesty, I like my Diva Cup SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better! The Instead Cup is kind of a huge waste of money (& really UN-eco-friendly!). The Diva Cup is a little more at first, but pays for itself over & over & over again, since it's a washable, re-usable silicone (sp?) cup that can be re-used for about 10 YEARS!

I've had mine for about a year now, I guess & I just love it! You don't get all dried out like you do w/ tampons, it's cheap AND your body's not absorbing really dangerous chemicals for weeks & weeks out of the year.

There's also a re-usable cup called The Keeper Cup.

You can get them through www.EverythingBirth.com or www.CottonBabies.com

I'd be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have!
Good luck!

I tried Instead a few years ago, it does work pretty well. When it was in correctly, I didn't feel it, but taking it out was messy. I never tried sex wit it in, think the idea of me being on my period even with a cup in wasn't too much of a turning on point for my hubby haha

I started using a Moon cup a few months ago. It's really nice to not have all that waste each month, adn you don't get that dried-out feeling that you sometimes get with tampons. It got easier to use the 2nd and 3rd months. The trick was to figure out the best way to fold it.

http://www.keeper.com/

I tried them and I'm not really impressed. I thought they would be similar to a moon cup or diva cup, but if they are, they're totally not what I expected at all.

You know what the livestrong bracelets look like? the product looks like that, although a little firmer, around the outside ring. It's about 2 inches in diameter. The inner part is a "plastic bag" that's a little firmer than a sandwich bag and hangs down just slightly below the thickness of the outer ring.

I can put it in, and use it properly, although there's a learning curve associated with it. I'm just not thrilled with it.

Hi K.,

Yes, I have been using them sometimes, and they do work. The downside is that it's a little messy to get it in and out, but then it lasts. It's exactly like inserting and removing a diaphragm, which I had done a long time ago so it was not hard for me.

I have a problem with very heavy flow so it does not last anywhere near 12 hours on the heavy days, but it lets me go longer without having to go to the bathroom on those days. I sometimes put in a light tampon with the Instead cup on those days because I get a little leakage.

As for holding back the flow for sex, it does work, but since my flow is so heavy, it still leaks too much on those two heaviest days. For other days, it's fine! (I used to use the diaphragm in this way too.)

FYI, I have a friend who uses a similar device every month instead of tampons. It is durable, and she just empties and washes it. She ordered it online and it cost about $25.00. Definitely a more environmentally sound option!

Good luck!

J.

Dear K.,
I as well as a girlfriend went right to the "diva Cup" rather than instead as instead is non-reusable and is thrown away after use.

I LOVE IT!!!!!! I will never go back to tampons/ pads/ moon pads or any other absorbancy system. Yuck! I can run, sleep, dance, play, wear white pants or skirts. I use to sleep on a towel during my period. No more!

Don't get me wrong, there is a learning curve in getting the cup in place to avoid leaks but once you get comfortable with how the cup sits within your own body, leaks are rare and when they do accur you can quickly correct the problem. I really can't express how much an improvement this has made during my period. You can google Diva cup to find lots of information. There are also items similar like the keeper and an australian version that the name escapes me right now.

I am annoyed that I wasn't told of this way younger in my life and wasted so many months with icky pads and fear of toxic shock with tampons.

If you have any concerns, I suggest you try the CVS cup and if you like it, look into getting a more permanent cup such as the Diva or Keeper (made in the USA as well).

Fondly,
ann m

I also thought they were too good to be true when I heard about them, but figured I would give them a try (my period was going to fall on a week long "just us" vacation...figures...). Now I usually use tampons but use Instead when we want to be intimate at night. I LOVE them and recommend them to all of my girlfriends. It takes some getting used to (inserting and removing) but they are definitely worth it. I've also used them at the beach. I still use tampons when it doesn't make a difference what I use because I feel like my period lasts longer when I only use Instead. I think it has something to do with the fact that there is nothing absorbing, it just catches it. My boyfriend said he has noticed that they are in (but not enough to mention it before I did), but it doesn't hurt, it's just a little different. According to him, it's far better than not having sex at all. Overall, highly recommended! You can't even feel them in!

Have used them for years except when I had my iud they work great getting them in and out takes practice if I ever can't get it out with my finger I bear down and then it comes right out with a little pull it is impossible for it to get stuck in you works well to be intimate too as well any questions feel free to email me at: ____@____.com :)

Hi K.:

I know it is difficult to deal with the feminine part of our bodies, but it is best to let the flow continue normally without obstructions.

Keeping things inside can breed bacteria and sickeness.

Make up your mind which you will allow for yourself.

Good luck. D.

I have the Diva cup and it works great! I have worn it now for about 6 yrs I think.. There is definitely a learning curve and it also depends upon your anatomy. If you have a very short vaginal area it's best to go with the moon cup, other wise the Diva will work fine. The best thing about them is that you can use them for 10 yrs and you can sterilize them as well.
V.

Used them, loved them. Tried the keeper cup first but mine always leaked, so I needed to wear a pad with the Keeper. Kinda defeated the purpose. The Instead worked much better and was more comfortable. Try them, you'll be glad you did!
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