I just looked at the website again to check out the other stuff. What in the world is this Keeper Cup? OH MY!!! It looks like a torture device!
I would have to agree about the keeper cup. I don't think that would be very comfortable! However, I use the Instead softcup ( www.softcup.com ) and would never go back to tampons. You can use it no matter what day of your period it is, and you only have to think about it twice a day (usually) since you can safely wear it for 12 hours. In fact, it's so comfortable I forget about it! (AND you throw these away!!) I think people either love it or hate it. You can find reviews here: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=40597&catid=9587&trx=29067&tab=1#1 There are reviews for the reusable pads too! I hate pads to begin with, so resuable ones don't sound too inviting. http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=73243&catid=47229&trx=29067&tab=1#1
Thank goodness I don't have a time of the month anymore. I think its very sick to think of washing them out every time. Talking about nasty. That is so gross. Watering the plants with that water, thats sick.
rags My grandma used rags years ago. Then she washed and hung them on the line. Everyone knew when she had it. That makes me very uncomfortable too.
I just showed my husband the site. It didn't go over too well. Facial expressions didn't look too comforting.
HOW GROSS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST imagage showing you young daughter she has to do this when she gets her period they get gross out now, then show them this. I know your grandparents did it and made it ok, but THANK GOD for someone to invite the throw away ones. Lets keep it that way.
Got on that INSTEAD site....I have so many questions that are probably not appropriate to post here. For one, I think I need to take anatomy again cuz I'm just not up on where that thing goes that a tampon doesn't (i.e. back instead of up) :?: And if it is far enough "up there" that your husband wouldn't notice it in bed, how on earth do you get it out without the help of surgical equipment :!: I was not a sheltered person at all, but I feel like I just stepped into an alternate universe or something . Someone enlighten me if you can without getting the thread yanked :wink: :lol:
About INSTEAD: I'm not sure about their claims that your husband can't feel it. I don't understand how that's possible. Maybe a husband that REALLY can't wait a week is willing to not notice it.
Amanda, did you see my post that our CVS tried giving boxes of Instead away and nobody wanted them?? They seem so unusual.
Yeah, that's why I replied. I am a normal person and I use them. I tried them after reading about them on the Internet. If I saw a box sitting in the store and someone trying to give them away, I probably wouldn't have tried them either. I was looking for an improvement over tampons, though. If someone is happy with the current options, then you probably won't want to try something new.
Those INSTEAD cups are different from the ones my roommate had. Hers looked a lot more difficult and complex. These ones don't look too bad. Maybe she had the first versions of them or something. I am just curious how to insert the little suckers actually. How in the world does it stay? Does it even insert or does it hang there? Are they more comfortable than a tampon? I didn't read a lot because I don't have the time right now, but those are my questions. Looking at the reusable pads, the keeper cup, and instead cup-I'm thinking that the INSTEAD cup would be most comfortable. That Keeper Cup looks like a midevil torture device, AND you reuse it :shock: . At least the INSTEAD cups you throw away. Are they flushable? I'll have to read over the site a little more when I have more time.
Here are the answers. I'll try to keep it as G-rated and as general as possible. It does look scary when you first see it. Even though I'd seen pictures, when I got the real thing I thought was too big. However, the ring is flexible. It squishes lengthwise so it's more like the shape of a tampon, then it expands back to an oval/round shape to stay in place. Most people have no trouble with it, but I read some reviews from people who had trouble with it fitting because it was too big. In that case it would not stay in. I can't imagine it not fitting, so it's probably rare. One other thing - getting it in the right place is a lot like using a tampon without an applicator, which I never liked. But I actually think this is easier since the INSTEAD softcup is plastic. To me, they are more comfortable than a tampon -- I completely forget about them, especially since you can wear it for up to 12 hours. Also, you can't really wear a tampon on the lightest days, and with this it does not matter. Lastly, tampons sometimes create dryness and Instead doesn't soak up anything so that isn't a problem. The instead softcup is made from plastic materials so it can't be flushed. The only drawback is that it can be messy when it is removed. It has taken me several months to figure out a way to do it without that being a problem, so it's possible. At first I would have said I would never want to change it in a public restroom, but now it wouldn't be a problem. However, since you only have to change it every 12 hours (sometimes sooner on heavier days), you can time it so you can do it at home. I learned more from reading reviews on drugstore.com and amazon.com for the product than the Instead site. Some people give tips for using them.
Ok I might me asking a very gross or very stupid question here. But what the heck is a keeper cup ???? I have never heard of it before. Sounds painful. I was tell my freind about this thread and she pointed out a very good reason to have throw away ones. Yes our Grandmothers and Great- Grandmothers used to wash out theirs but just think of the sickness that they also had. We have ones that can be thrown away or burned. No Sickness caused by bad hygines. They also had no deodorant, or toothpaste either. Whats next getting rid of those too. I am all for saving money and helping save our planet, but this is stupid. Crazy world we live in. There will always be someone to sell something.
Amanda, it sounds very much like a diaphram, at least in design, though not in purpose. I still find it very iinteresting, but am afraid that I would make a big mess trying to remove it. I think all our squeemishness is more cultural than anything. Am curious what do missionary women in third-world countries use.... Are they able to get supplies readily, or do they use non-disposable means? Anyone know?
Wow, Jackie! I never thought about women in missions! I know what kind of care package our ladies groups will be organizing next time....
My kids are at Bible School this week, with a missionary couple from Papua New Guinea. I wonder if I'll have the guts to ask her about this tomorrow..... Though I would guess they aren't "primitive" enough, since they probably live closer to Australia than I do to most of y'all! Hmmmmmm........
