Today I finally went to Walgreens to pick up some Insteads. (Walgreens and Target are the only places I've found that sell them.) They come in a cute little purple box. While she was waiting for my debit card stuff to go through, the puzzled cashier was like, "Not pads?" and I didn't really want to say too much because there was a line of guys behind me, so I was just like, "I heard they're really cool. They go.... in." I felt sneaky because I'm pretty sure none of those dudes knew what we were talking about. It was $7.99 for a box of fourteen. I estimate the box would last a good three months, so that seems like an okay deal.
I thought they would be a little similar to the Divacup, and I guess they are in blood-collection strategy, but in appearance they are not. The best way I can describe an Instead is a pink Livestrong br
acelet lining a tiny sandwich bag.
No product review yet.
Anyone else have Instead experiences to share?
acelet lining a tiny sandwich bag.No product review yet.
Anyone else have Instead experiences to share?
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7 comments:
"I can describe an Instead is a pink Livestrong bracelet lining a tiny sandwich bag."
Hah! I thought the exact same thing when I first saw one.
I tried them for a day and thought that they were really messy. It must take some skill to get them in the right place, and aligned properly.
Plus I was bothered by the idea that they're not meant to be re-usable -- at least tampons have a chance of biodegrading.
This product totally changed my life. Pads were all I would use when I was a teenager because no matter what tampon I tried, I could always FEEL it. I guess that's just my shape or something. Pads certainly weren't comfy, and affected my very active lifestyle, but I didn't know of any other options.
Since I hated tampons so much, I had an aversion to all things that were supposed to go "in" but I tried Instead anyway. It did take me several cycles (maybe 5? it's been years since I started using them now...) to get used to them.
At first I could always feel them, sometimes they'd fall out, or start sliding out at awkward times, or when I moved a certain way. I figured out that that was always a result of not inserting it correctly. They are messier to remove than anything else I've tried, but I have to change them so infrequently that I can pretty much always do so at home, and really, my own blood is not that gross.
I still have to wear a pantyliner with Instead on my heavy days, but I can't feel it, and sometimes I even forget that I'm on my period.
Regarding menstrual cups, I'd like to give you the link to this wonderful & helpful community:
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/
Many find tampons comfortable than pads since it offers more freedom. But it also has its advantages and disadvantages. One should be cautious, if one forget to remove it on time, then it may lead to bad smell, bacteria forms, thus leading to infections. It may also cause TSS disease. One can use tampon but has should be alert. One should immediately go to gynaecologist, if faces any problem.
I've been using Insteads for ... more than 10 years. I heard about them from a dancer friend of mine who used them exclusively. I have only used a tampon in emergencies (like when i start my cycle far far away from a target or a walgreens).
There is a "mess" factor that you have to take with the "convenience" factor the cup offers you. I find the change easier if I keep a couple of plastic baggies and some wet wipes in my purse. The baggie for disposal and the wet wipe for my fingers.
There is only ONE downside to the wearing of the cup. Full cup + Powerful sneeze / cough = big mess.
Because it forms an airtight seal ... there is never any smell. You don't have a nasty string hanging out of your hoohah ... no burning when you take one out on light days ... and last but not least ... in dire emergencies you can buy yourself a little time by going to the bathroom.
Hey, I've recently found insteads at walmart, so maybe they're going to start carrying them! just wanted to give you guys a heads up to check there! Also, CVS pharmacy had them (if there's one near you)
meant to say cvs pharmacy HAS them :) lol
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