Instead 12 Hour Feminine Protection Cup  24 ea  (260) read reviews
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Directions

To insert, squeeze the opposite side of the rim together. Insert Instead completely into the vagina. Instead molds itself to your unique internal shape for a personal fit. To remove Instead, simply hook your finger under the rim and slowly pull. Because Instead holds rather than absorbs menstrual fluid, you should be able to wear twice as long as a tampon up to a maximum of 12 hours.

Warnings

Do not use Instead if you are using an intrauterine device (IUD), as there is a risk of dislodging, displacing or removing the IUD by pulling on the IUD string when removing Instead.  If you have ever had Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), do not use Instead or any other internally worn products.  Maximum wear time is twelve (12) hours.  Instead must be changed after twelve (12) hours.  Never reuse Instead, since doing so may expose you to the risk of vaginal infection.  Immediately following childbirth, miscarriage, or termination of pregnancy, consult your physician before using Instead.  Instead is not a contraceptive and does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases.  If you or your sexual partner develop burning, itching, pain or swelling in the genital area or discomfort with urination, discontinue using all internal protection and contact your physician.  If you have problems removing Instead, call 1-800-Instead (467-8323) and a Registered Nurse (RN) can talk you through the process, or you can contact your physician. See enclosed insert for more complete product information and instructions for use.

Ultrafem, Inc.

Customer Reviews	Average Rating:  (260)

Not for everyone, but I love it! by Melanie in Iowa on 8/24/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Cons: Messy Best Uses: Daily Use, Heavy Days, Light Days, Travel Bottom Line: recommended 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!

Best feminine protection ever! by Deb in Berkeley, CA on 8/21/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Best Uses: Daily Use, Heavy Days, Light Days, Travel Describe Yourself: Athletic Bottom Line: recommended 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!

I buy monthly! by Been There in NYC on 8/21/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use Cons: Poor Protection Best Uses: Light Days Bottom Line: recommended 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.

I think this is a great product!! by Lola in Live Oak, FL on 8/18/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Bottom Line: recommended 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.

Great Product by Jessica in NJ on 8/17/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Cons: Messy Best Uses: Daily Use, Heavy Days, Light Days, Travel Describe Yourself: Athletic Bottom Line: recommended 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.

Will never use pads or tampons again! by Anne in La. on 8/16/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Best Uses: Daily Use, Heavy Days, Light Days, Travel Bottom Line: recommended 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!

Practice makes Perfect! by Shoezy in Poway, CA on 8/13/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Cons: Messy Best Uses: Daily Use, Heavy Days, Light Days, Swimming nighttime sex, Travel Bottom Line: recommended 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!

Beats Tampons any day of the week by Avid Swimmer in Northern Virginia on 8/13/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Cons: Messy Best Uses: Daily Use, Heavy Days, Light Days, Travel Describe Yourself: Athletic Bottom Line: recommended 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!!

Loved this for 10 years now by Mia in Colorado on 8/11/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Best Uses: Daily Use, Heavy Days, Light Days Describe Yourself: Athletic Bottom Line: recommended 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.

love them by ducky in casco mi on 8/10/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Cons: NOTHING Best Uses: Daily Use, Heavy Days, Light Days, Travel Describe Yourself: Athletic Bottom Line: recommended 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.

Waste of money by Bloody Mary in Mississippi, Gulf Coast on 8/8/08 Pros: No pros Cons: Difficult To Use, Messy, Poor Protection, Uncomfortable Best Uses: None they leak Describe Yourself: Woman in 30's Bottom Line: not recommended 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.

nothing else ever again by legalista in Oakland on 7/31/08 Pros: Comfortable, Discreet, Easy To Use, Good Protection Cons: None whatsoever Best Uses: Daily Use Describe Yourself: Athletic Bottom Line: recommended 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.

Difficult to Use...Still Trying by bonita in seattle on 7/28/08 Cons: Difficult To Use, Messy Best Uses: Heavy Days Describe Yourself: Athletic Bottom Line: recommended 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 a nightmare! by Abb in Maine on 7/25/08 Pros: Discreet Cons: Difficult To Use, Messy Bottom Line: not recommended 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!

I will never use this product again! by Cypher516 in Baldwin, NY on 7/25/08 Cons: Difficult To Use, Horrible, Messy, Poor Protection, Uncomfortable Bottom Line: not recommended 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.

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