I have been using Instead since 2001. I have severe cramps so changing tampons every two or three hours was excruciating for me. With Instead I use two per day. I put one in in the shower at 6 a.m. and change it at 6 p.m. after work. Once it is in place I don't even know it's there. This product has forever changed my period. I have told every woman I know about this product and will continue to tell every woman I meet.

I found these things once in college, and gave it a try, but at the time I wasn't as comfortable with my body as I am now. You NEED to be comfortable with your body so that you understand the correct placement of the ring so that it sits behind your pelvic bone. Once I started to try to conceive I read that you could use these to help, so I purchased them again. Now I ONLY use these for my menstruation. I love them so much, that I would never go back to a tampon, or to a pad ever again!!! I used these on my recent vacation to Greece and they were so perfect because they last so long. I was able to lay out on the beach worry free, and fly worry free. I only wish I tried this sooner in life!!!

This is by far the best thing I've come across for dealing with my period. I have a really heavy flow and I have had so many leaks/accidents with tampons and pads -I was fed up. My sister told me about "The Keeper" which is a similar product that's non-disposable and is more of a rigid cup, but it wasn't right for my body. I've heard that it really depends on how your uterus is positioned, mine tilts to the front so Instead works perfectly for me. I believe the Keeper works better for ones that are tilted back. Instead is a little messy when you take it out, but that's the price to pay for not ever having a leak. It's also great at night so you can sleep in and not worry about getting TSS if it's in there for more than 6-8 hours. And it's a dream for light or spotty days- just forget about it and check back in 12 hours!

As someone who has used diaphragms for years, this is just as easy to insert and remove. Unlike a tampon, it doesn't shift or change positions. I can't stand wearing pads as I walk and hike a lot. However, if you are extremely uncomfortable with menstrual blood then you shouldn't use it. For me, this is best feminine protection ever!

This is NOT a product to use on your heavier or heaviest days at all!!! This is a GREAT product however for the 1st day of your cycle and the last 2 days. It is very comfortable, but you MUST wear pads. Putting it in and taking it out takes some getting used to, but with practice & persistance, it becomes very easy. I continually use it because I HATE tam/pax-pons, especially on light days. But I do like the product a lot and would definitely recommend use.

Instead was very easy to use. It wasn't half as messy as I had expected and I had no leakage at all. I am very impressed and wish I had found this sooner.

This is a wonderful product! It lasts 12 hours & no leaks!! I forget that I even have my period. You just must be comfortable with your body to use this product. Insertion is easy, but removal requires inserting your thumb to grab the device. It is messy when you take it out. So to remove, I prefer using a disposable glove & have a bunch of tissues ready. Wrap the glove into the tissues. So your hand never touches the blood. Otherwise you could remove it in the shower. Great product. Give it a try. It is much more comfortable & safer than tampons. I personally think pads are just disgusting.

That's how much I love this product. I've been using it for years now. It's not uncomfortable unless you don't have it inserted properly. If you have it in correctly, you won't even know it's there. On heavy days, there may be a little leakage, but I generally have no problem with that - you can feel it, so you can go take care of it quickly. I think these can handle more than a tampon, so they last longer. It really can handle the worst day with only one change. It may take a while to get used to insertion, but I'm surprised that so many found removal difficult. It really is as easy as just hooking a finger under the rim and pulling. Cinch. (Hint: Aim for the front wall!) As a matter of fact, I find that you can break the suction by changing your position while seated. Yes, this is messy to remove and that can be sort of an issue in a public restroom, but it's manageable. All around a fantastic product. If I ever find out they're discontinuing this, I'll stockpile like a crazy woman!

After reading the posts about the difficulty of use, I had to write. This product is a miracleworker, and you should not be put off by the negative comments. All new things require a trial and error period (no pun intended). First of all, there is no need to push Instead far up inside you. The cup suctions neatly over your cervix, and you only need to push far back enough that the cup is not protruding out. Secondly, curve the cup itself and sit slightly forward when inserting. The cup will unfold once it is in the right position. For easiest removal, sit back and open your legs wide. This will allow your abdominal muscles to push the cup forward. Most importantly, RELAX. If you are clenching your muscles, it is difficult to remove. Be ready with some toilet paper, and be sure to tilt the cup into the toilet first. This minimizes the mess-factor considerably. I have been using this product for almost 10 years and LOVE IT. My only disappointment is that it used to be sold in drugstores, and now I can only find it online. If you use this product in combo with Seasonique oral contraceptives (which only gives you 4 periods a year!), you will never curse Aunt Flow again! Practice, practice, practice!

I got my first sample in the mail in 1998 and I have been using it ever since. As the package states, getting used to insertion and removal takes practice and starting on a light day is the best approach. The first time I used it I inserted it wrong and it was extremely uncomfortable to the point where I had to remove it because it was starting to hurt. However, on my second try I got it right and it's been a blessing ever since. I can wear it on light days or heavy days, during sex, and during any workouts and I only have to change it minimally. There have been times when I have forgotten that I had my period because it doesn't have the same presence as a tampon. My favorite thing about it is that I can use it while swimming and I don't have to worry about getting out of the pool immediately after a workout to change it nor do I have to worry about a string showing. As others have stated, yes, it can be messy and learning to remove it with minimal mess can take some practice. It is certainly messier than a tampon but with the freedom of having to change it less often, the comfort, and lack of TSS effects, it is worth the slight mess and inconvenience. After 10 years of use, I will never go back to a tampon. If you've only tried it once and it didn't work right, be patient and give it another shot. I'm glad I did!!