Honestly, there's no ADD in this, except the thought that maybe it's "all in my head".

Any ladies tried the alternative to pads and tampons, called "Instead"? There's also a reuseable one, the "Diva Cup". It's great, it works like a diaphram and catches everything. Lasts 12 hours and you don't even notice it. Unlike the diaper feeling of pads and the dry wad of cotton (and rug burn upon removal) tampons that you change every 2 to 4 hours.

Long story short...do you get cramps? I upped my meds and I've been more stressed. Is it that, or my new feminine product?

I had to pop over because the title said “instead”

. . . . I had to know instead of what!


Re-usable, does that mean it has to be. . . . .(swallows hard) . . . . . . .washed?

I used to use my diaphragm for this same purpose . . . . . .to bad I was too ADD to know I was actually inventing some thing. . . . I thought every one who owned a diaphragm did this. . . .didn't they? I could not go 12 hours on heavy days because it hurt more.


Long story short...do you get cramps?

Big time. . . . .but if this product is causing a "back flow" so to speak (I can't think of another way of saying this) it might cause an increase in bloating and cramping. . . . which would ummm increase stress. I find cramps stressful.

My menses causes so much bloating I have to have a separate wardrobe for "that time of the month", because tight fitting things across my mid-section cause me to be agitated which doesn't stress me out but doesn't do much for other people’s stress levels.

You may want to try restricting these to your less heavy days, or perhaps try changing them out more often to prevent “back flow” .

lol..I have no idea , but was fun to read :-)

I've used it, and yes it gives me cramps after its been in a while. But if I change it more often I don't get cramps. Try reducing the number of hours you wear it and see if that helps. My theory is similar to the previous poster's - maybe when it gets full it gets heavy and starts weighing down on a part of your body that isn't used to carrying weight...

Well, I figured I'd have to change it more frequently on the heavier days. (and yes, Tammy, the diva cup you wash out, but not "Instead", they're disposable) This was actually towards the end of my period. I'm thinking my coochie-snorter has had enough, was tightening back up and needed that very large umbrella out of there.

("The Coochie-Snorter That Could" is from the Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler...I highly recommend the video and/or book.)

I'm thinking my coochie-snorter has had enough, was tightening back up and needed that very large umbrella out of there.


ROFL. . . . . yea sounds like a plan all right.

the diva cup/keeper products are great...instead is grotesquely messy, unreliable, and imho a total waste of money, although it was kind of a cool idea at the time. even if you are slightly revolted by the whole notion of the re-usable, it's nice to have the alternative for going on trips or whatever.

What's the difference in the mess? I honestly had to look at the Instead and wonder how do I do this discreetly in a public restroom? And is the diva cup any cleaner, considering I need to wash it out? My bathroom at home has a sink right next to the toilet but not so in public. I want to continue using one or the other (though the diva cup is more of an investment), but I wanted to try and work out the kinks of the product first. Sort of a "flow" chart for the feminine product user's challenges.

Sort of a "flow" chart for the feminine product user's challenges.
:D ROFL!!! GOOD ONE!!

Hey - since it seems as if everyone here's gettin' all free and comfy, I'm taking a chance and asking you all the couple of questions I've had about this topic (but have been afraid to ask). :o

First: Although I've easily birthed two children out the "coochie snorter" canal, I still occasionally struggle to put in a tampon. How exactly does one insert and remove one of these bad boys? And, in your opinions, would someone who struggles with tampons (like me) be able to learn how to do this?

Second: (Well, I think I already know this answer, but . . . ) Can a woman with an IUD use a Diva Cup, or is it contraindicated? (LOVE that name: Diva Cup!! "I want my Diva Cup and I want it NOW - GAWD DAMMIT!!!!!")

LOVE that name: Diva Cup!! "I want my Diva Cup and I want it NOW - GAWD DAMMIT!!!!!

Hmmm I would settle for a "C" cup! :p



And is the diva cup any cleaner, considering I need to wash it out?

Wash it out. . . . . . :eek: . . . . . (yuck). . . . . . :faint: !

Honestly, there's no ADD in this, except the thought that maybe it's "all in my head".

Any ladies tried the alternative to pads and tampons, called "Instead"? There's also a reuseable one, the "Diva Cup". It's great, it works like a diaphram and catches everything. Lasts 12 hours and you don't even notice it. Unlike the diaper feeling of pads and the dry wad of cotton (and rug burn upon removal) tampons that you change every 2 to 4 hours.

Long story short...do you get cramps? I upped my meds and I've been more stressed. Is it that, or my new feminine product?

My 17 yo daughter loked into The Diva cup but that's about all. It was kinda pricy for something you weren't sure would work for you. In my opinon only

The Instead cup is not reusable....you use one, toss it, use another one....I have a friend who reuses hers after washing it but it's not recommended..

The Diva Cup comes in 2 sizes....before childbirth and after childbirth...make sure you have the right size and it's inserted properly and you should have no issues with it once you get used to it...

I prefer the instead cups when I have used them bc they slide into place pretty foolproof....

I perfer any thing I do not have to wash. . . . clothes and dishes are enough for me. . . .

I LOVE my Divacup.. I started using it a little over 2 years ago and will never go back to pads or tampons for anything. The first day I have to empty and wash it midday, but after that it's just once in the morning before I leave my house and once before I go to bed. The initial investment seems high, but I think they will refund your money if you try it and don't like it.. I've saved a ton of money in the long run not having to buy disposable products every month, and I love not having to head to the bathroom in the middle of class or work to change a tampon. Ah, freedom!

I've heard that Instead can get messy and leak, plus it's still disposable and I like the idea of a reusable product so I never bothered with it.

If you have trouble with tampons it may be difficult at first, especially the whole insert-while-folded thing, but I find it's much easier once you get the hang of it because it doesn't have the drying effect tampons have that creates friction.. obviously tampons don't selectively absorb only blood, they absorb any normal fluid as well, which = unhappy vagina after a couple days.

There's also a latex rubber version made by another company called the Keeper. Both are great products; I'm sure they aren't for everyone, but I highly recommend at least trying it out.

i guess my biggest issue with using one of the 'cup' type of period helper (for lack of a better phrase) is that if i'm in a public place and have to change it out or whatever, i surely don't need blood on my hands on that walk to the sink..(tissue doesn't seem to cut it in that case)
which is why i never really could use the o.b. tampons...i just like the plain tampax
i'm pregnant right now so i won't have to worry about this for awhile..but maybe i'll try out one of these things...i'm just nervous, b/c , well,
its a big amount of trust a woman must put into one of these products! i would never want to be walking around with an obvious bloody stain on my pants or whatever.

I don't get cramps, actually I get less cramps than I do with tampons. :D I use The Keeper. :D

:D ROFL!!! GOOD ONE!!

Hey - since it seems as if everyone here's gettin' all free and comfy, I'm taking a chance and asking you all the couple of questions I've had about this topic (but have been afraid to ask). :o

First: Although I've easily birthed two children out the "coochie snorter" canal, I still occasionally struggle to put in a tampon. How exactly does one insert and remove one of these bad boys? And, in your opinions, would someone who struggles with tampons (like me) be able to learn how to do this?

Second: (Well, I think I already know this answer, but . . . ) Can a woman with an IUD use a Diva Cup, or is it contraindicated? (LOVE that name: Diva Cup!! "I want my Diva Cup and I want it NOW - GAWD DAMMIT!!!!!")
Well, I "flushed" the cardboard applicators quite a while ago. The plastic slides in real easy and gently. But at the end of my period, taking a large wad of dry cotton out of an already unlubricated canal (not exactly a turned on moment, know what I'm saying?) just downright hurts.

Online it said that Instead should not be used with an IUD as it could snag the string and loosen or remove the IUD. But I just asked my midwife about this, I'm due to get one at the end of the month, and she said it's not an issue. It would take a lot of pull to remove an IUD, and the string ends up curled at the top of the cervix as it is.

Hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I started with the Instead, just to test the waters.

I don't get cramps, actually I get less cramps than I do with tampons. :D I use The Keeper. :D
Cool. Sounds like a chastity belt. ;)

Instead is the best. No (additional) cramps, can be washed & reused or discarded, if in a public toilet. It took me a few months to get the hang of it, so I doubled with pads for a while. Now, a panty liner is more than sufficient, but if I'm headed into a situation where risk is not an option (e.g. transatlantic flight, big meeting) then I add a thin pad.

From What Ive Hard Over The Years Is To Use A Mirror An Site Comfy When Trying To Put Tampon In.....its Better Not To Mix Both Idu With Tam Even Though Dose Take Alot To Move The Idu It Can Happen ....my Ex Wife Had This An Cosed Lot Porblems The Better The Pad The Better The Job It Will Do Is My Best Advice.......you Might Find I Funny Me Giveing Advice But Liveing With All Girl House Hold Family Wise An Cos Ex Wife You Get To Know Things

Anyways Hope It Help

Goodluck


Dorm

Eye,
You make me laugh so hard !

Cool. Sounds like a chastity belt. ;)