I have used this product for as long as I can remember really (well as long as it has been availible) I love it. I was never able to use tampons, so this was a great altertative. I have always recommend this to all my friends. I have never had any of those embarassing moments where not everything gets absorb, if you know what I mean. Love the fact that I can swim and conduct my daily life without running to the restroom every 30 minutes to change out pads.

been using for 12 years and would never use anything else. the place I buy them at quit selling them and not sure what i am going to do now.

I can't believe all the positive reviews this product has recieved. They have to be written by people who work for this company in order to make their product look good. The ring is hard to bend and does not go in easily. It does not stay in place. and it is hard to get out. It also leaks!!!! Messy is an understatement. Learning curve my butt. After the first couple of tries and getting drenched in blood I learned that I'd rather stick with pads and tampons. They are less messy.

Had to add my own rave to the list...I, too, have been using Instead since they came out in the late 90's. If I run out or don't have one handy, I loathe loathe loathe having to use a tampon/pad again. Many people have described the freedom, and that's what is so great about it...You don't have any discomfort due to a shifting tampon or wet diaper (pad). For those of you who claim discomfort, or that the cup moved, I honestly don't think you've inserted it properly. Once it's in place, like a diaphragm, you really shouldn't feel it. As for the mess? Feh. Small price to pay for a product so good you forget you have your period...and the sex? That helps, too.

I have tried Instead several times and I find it hard to insert correctly. Perhaps it is the shape of my body or something, but I can't get it to "mold" around my cervix. I've tried and tried and see the merit of this product, so I plan on trying again. If you are new to using this product, be sure to wear a back up pad to avoid any leaks (that's what happened to me....sigh). It's a great concept though.

This product was easy for me to insert. I did feel it for a short time but then forgot it was in. Decided to remove it after a few hours, I saw it had some leakage. Removal was terrible. It took me an hour and half to finally remove it. I was soaking in the tub and sitting on the flush crying. I thought I would have to go to the doctor for removal. Finally after trying for a while I somehow broke the suction and got it out. It was a nightmare!

Very messy and had a very difficult time getting it out. I nicked my cervix in the process and now I feel very sore. It took me nearly 45 minutes to remove. It was suctioned to my cervix and I was nearly in tears when it finally came out. I will never use Instead again and will be using pads from now on.

My fingers are not long enough to "simply hook your finger under the rim," how ridiculous. Took a good 15+ minutes of digging around and pushing down and "relaxing" to get this thing out and only then with my thumb and forefinger in as far as they could go. I cannot imagine using this in a public restroom or ANYWHERE.

This product is a miracle and has made my periods actually enjoyable! I have used them for about 10 years and without them I would be a total mess once a month. They are great for those of us who get irritation and leakeage from tampons. Not to mention they have not been linked to causing TSS. I have a tilted and dropped uterus which makes tampons a nightmare, but the INSTEAD cup is perfect! They do have an adjusment period of a few days, but so do tampons, so I would suggest using them for the first time during a light day to avoid any mess and getting discouraged. You will learn how long you can keep them in after using them a few times. I use only 10-11 per period and only use 3 during my heaviest day! They are comfortable and yes, you can have sex with them and you & your partner will not feel it or get messy during intercourse! If when removing them it seems to have gotten "lost", just bear down a little and you will find it. It can't get truely "lost", it only gets pushed up a little. I strongly recommend trying this product. You'll wonder how you made it all these years without it. Using INSTEAD will give you back your freedom during your period!!

I use the product day and night, light to heavy days with no leakage, however, i need a smaller size because orginal barely fits and easily displaces with sneezing, coughing urinating etc. The device is basically a little/wide for my petite frame. would giveproduct five stars [...]