Customer Reviews

Instead Softcups 12 Hour Feminine Protection,14 Count

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This is my first time trying this kind of product and, I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised.

The Instead softcup looks like a round rubber ring with a cellophane-like baggie attached to the lower rim. Insertion requires pinching the sides of the ring to flatten it, then it's a matter of making sure it's in properly.

The product leaflet says to think about the first time you tried wearing soft contacts, for example, and how you probably had trouble the first few attempts at inserting them. I found this very helpful; contacts were a chore to put in at first but, after awhile, you get used to it and it takes only seconds to do. The leaflet promises the Instead cup will be the same.

Meanwhile, though, it took both hands and several tries to keep it from sliding too far up in the back, poking uncomfortably somewhere, or turning kind of sideways. I think the secret is to be persistent. A couple of times, I was tempted to say, "I guess that's good enough" but, by being persistent, I learned that if it's really in right, you can't feel it at all.

I wouldn't be brave enough yet to wear JUST the cup without a pad underneath, or wear it to work where I might have to change it in the common restroom and feel rushed. Maybe after I really got used to it. It's also probably not the product for someone who's uncomfortable with her body. If you're squeamish about getting your nails dirty (or if you have really long nails--ouch!), you might not want to try this. You will probably have to get at least a finger or two into the work area to get it positioned properly.

The product description says you can wear one for "up to 12 hours." Actually, according the instructions, the length of time you can wear it depends on your flow--approximately twice as long as you usually wear a pad or tampon.

Removal wasn't bad at all. You'll need to hook the ring with your finger, but I can't see how it would get "stuck" in any way whatsoever. I guess there's the possibility it could go up further than someone's comfortable reaching so, again, you should be mentally prepared for that possibility. Definitely try it the first few times at home, where you're not likely to feel rushed.

It works like a charm for me, though. The only reason I'm not able to give it five stars is because I find disposal inconvenient. Obviously, you can't just flush a rubber ring down the toilet.

The cups come individually wrapped, and the instructions say to put the used cup into the wrapper the next one comes in, or wrap it with tissue and dispose of it in a wastebasket. Unfortunately the wrappers fit the product so snugly that it's hard to get a used one in without making a mess. If you opt to wrap it with tissue, it's likely to soak through (potentially embarrassing in a small office with a unisex restroom or at someone's house, for example). Maybe they could make the bags a little larger with tie-closed "handles" that make a neat, leak proof package for disposal.

I probably won't buy this product again because it's made me brave enough to try the reusable cups--also available on Amazon. Look up Diva Cup, Moon Cup, or The Keeper.

This is a cut-and-paste from a review I did on an outdoorsy type forum with only a few minor changes to smooth off some rough language, so it's a bit out-in-the-woods flavored, but hopefully some of the info is still useful to civilized folk.

These are, at least to me, the ideal balance between the icky stuff traditional chicks use and the reuseable cups. They're individually packaged, semi-reuseable (the package tells you to toss em after one use; but frankly, I used a single one of them for three months once. Obviously, I cleaned and sanitized the thing multiple times during that, but still: they can certainly keep up with the normal, "non-replaceable" type for a while) little plasticy disc/cups - but they're not designed like the normal menstrual cups. I'm not going to try to describe how they sit (if I recall, their website has pictures anyway), but the big important difference between them and the "regular" cup style is that you can empty them out without removing them. That's right - sit down on your toilet (or squat over your hole, or whatever) and handle it just like you would if you were urinating old-school style. Then wipe off, zip up, and walk away. Wear one all weekend and worry about the mess and trash disposal issues of actually changing it once you're back somewhere with running water. Actually removing them is probably going to require handwashing, though - but see below. I did have trouble with them leaking the first couple times I used them, but practice made perfect. After the first few, they've worked like a charm ever since. Also, the website mentions you can get your lovin' on while wearing these, but I'll just say "Don't count on it." I can see it being possible for some people, but I know my personal anatomy just ain't set up to accommodate it. Your mileage may vary.

In regards to a few things I've noticed in other reviews:

"OMG it's disgusting to remove!" - Yes, if done according to the instructions, it is. I heartily recommend complaining to Evofem until they add a freakin' pull-stem to these. My cynical suspicion is that they don't want to muck-up their stupid "No strings" advertising campaign. Until then, you can get some of those super cheap individually wrapped medical exam gloves if you're going to be away from handwashing facilities (or use a sandwich bag. Or your stash of expired condoms. Or whatever strikes your fancy. Improvise and all that jazz.) Tie it closed after and it's a disposal bag as well. Also, with practice, you may be able to shift them down and forward with your pelvic muscles until the front edge pops out, which you can then grab with a bit of toilet tissue.

"OMG It's huge!" - Read the friggin' instructions. It doesn't go in like a Diva/Keeper/whatever. You don't just wedge it in however the heck you feel like wedgin' it in there. The sides are squeezed together during application, resulting in a long thin shape that's no bigger around than a tampon.

"It wasn't comfy and it leaked." - If you can feel it, it isn't in right. If it isn't in right, it'll leak. If you won't take the time to learn to put it in right (though once you learn, it'll only take about 10 seconds to do in the future,) don't bother trying them.

i cannot praise these things enough. i have been using them longer than most people have heard of them. you have to be willing to stick a finger up there to insert it then fetch it out later, but as long as you're cool with that, you're going to be happy. here's why:

(1) reduced bloating: i can't explain this to you. i don't know why this would have any effect on bloating. but somehow, because of the way it sits inside of me, as opposed to how a tampon sits, allows my body to expel excess gas i may accumulate during my period better than i'm able to do when i have a tampon in. throughout my teen years and into my early twenties, i used a tampon and never thought it was a possibility that the tampon was worsening my gas & bloating. it was only after i switched to menstrual cups that i realized there was a difference.

(2) quicker bathroom visits: i know they say you should put in a new one every several hours. i am probably living dangerously. but if it's mid-day and i'm in a public restroom, i can squeeze my PC muscles and that pushes any period tissue that may have accumulated in my cup right out so that i can flush it down the toilet. that gives me another 4-6 uninterrupted hours of wearing the instead, without removing it, without getting my hands "dirty", and without spending the extra $$ on an additional cup for the end of the day. it also means you don't have the discomfort of fussing with the position of your menstrual product when your cervix might be sore & not want the friction.

(3) sex during: once you have the instead in, you can have any and every type of sex you desire. whether that means you want your partner to know you're menstruating, or you wish to keep it hidden, the "instead" will play friendly. if you simply tidy up the outer surface before engaging in oral sex, your partner will not know you're having your period. if you intend to engage in intercourse, your partner will not feel it or notice it's there. if you fear leakage during intercourse, then just take your instead out and rinse it off, or put in a brand new one, right before intercourse. then your partner will definitely never know.

(4) some of our partners have no problem with our cycles, but will certainly appreciate the opportunity to keep the bed clean so easily. so i recommend it all-around if, for no other reason, because you wish to keep your mattress looking nice for many years to come.

My wife loves these. Every few months I have to buy some for her on line. I check prices, of course, and this same box is at drugstoredotcom for $9.49. Same number of applications per box but 1/3 the price.

These just don't work for me. I'm not squeamish about this stuff and I know my own body, and I found these to be much too large for me. The rear of the ring usually won't push back far enough for me to get the front up behind my pubic bone. When I do manage to get it up in there, it slips out within 15 minutes - and not before setting off terrible cramps. At least I've had no problem getting it out; it's already sticking halfway out before I even sit down to make the attempt.

I should note that I am of average height but rather obese. I never really thought of my vagina as "small" but I sure do now. On the other hand, as someone else pointed out, the rubber ring on these things is about 2" across. It's also quite thick. If it were half an inch smaller, it might work on me.

I understand the company is testing a smaller size - so maybe there's hope for this product. Just not yet.

I have been using this product for 3 years now and I cannot see myself going back to Pads, (messy and sticky), and tampons, (absorbant, strings, TSS). I do not have to feel I am on my Period except for cramps, no messy underware, no discomfort at all. I love it!!! I can even have clean sex on my period. My husband does not even know when I am on my Period with this Product. Complete Freedom to do whatever, no Protection discomfort and Easy to use!

I have been using this product for about 4 years. They are great! There is no smell and your not dirty like you get with tampons and especially pads.They are easy to insert. You use it the same way you would use a diaphragm. Also even though the package says one time use, I have reused the same cup for a complete period. Simply empty, rinse and reinsert. I have not had any problems doing this since I first started using this product. You also no longer have to worry about your flow and deciding what size tampon to wear. For me it never failed I would end up needing to removing a tampon early or one that was not completely saturated and it would be very painful when removing. Also no more worries about Toxic Shock Syndrome. Thank the Lord! The only thing that some women do not like is the fact that you will get a little blood on your finger as you are removing the cup. Also you should always wash your hands before inserting your finger into the vagina to remove the cup. Nether of these things bother me in the least. Any inconvenience is far out weighed by the benefits. This is absolutely the best alternative to pads and tampons.

I bought these when I heard that women were getting pregnant after inserting one after intercourse. Sure enough, I got pregnant on my second cycle using them!

I would like to begin by saying that I love the idea of a menstrual cup, I am an avid Diva Cup Model 2 PLUS Diva Wash Diva Cup wearer and have been for the past two years. My sister introduced me to the Instead softcups and I thought it would be useful to have something that I could use when I needed a more disposable option, or in case I started unexpectedly when I didn't have the Diva Cup handy. She also said that she could have sex with her husband while using the Instead cup. . . a definite turn on to the product.

Sadly, however, this did not work for me. After a disgustingly embarrassing sexual escapade, I realized that sex with the Instead is not ideal. My husband could feel it, and there was a leakage problem (sorry, TMI!)

I can see how this product would be appealing, and I hated to rate it one star, because I don't HATE it, I just think the Diva Cup is superior in nearly every way.

I have very heavy periods. This product worked well and I had a great night sleep without any accidents. However, I did get crampy. Worse of all, I could not get the darn thing out. I read and read the directions, but it was too far up and slippery. My husband had to help me. Yuck. Defintely needs a pull ring or stem for removal! I won't use it again