Love :: Instead Softcup
This is a NO BOYS ALLOWED post. That’s right, fellas. Just skip on over to my review of I Know This Much Is True or the post about Quail Hollow Gardens, but read no further here! Today’s “Things I Love Thursday” is for girls only. If you do keep reading, let me just say that you were warned.
************No Boys Beyond This Point ************
Now that we got that out of the way, this is that post. Yes, the post I alluded to in my first “Things I Love Thursday” that I said I’d have to get up some gumption to write about. But if I am completely myself, I can’t host “Things I Love” without mentioning this. one. thing. Because, this. one. thing. is THE thing I have been loving and recommending to all my besties for years. It is, Instead Softcup - an alternative – THE alternative – to tampons and pads. Yep, I have not used tampon nor pad for going on 15 years.
It was ~1996, and I was living in Tifton, GA, for my first teaching job. I was browsing a girlie-girl magazine – probably Cosmo – when I came across an ad. I don’t remember what the tag line was that hooked me, but if I called a given 1-800 number, I could receive a free sample of this life-altering alternative to traditional feminine products. I called the number and what I received, I have thanked the Lord for more times than I can count.
Instead is basically a plastic cup – the rim is hard but pliable and the bowl is made of a thin but strong plastic (think non-penetrable plastic wrap). You squeeze the rim together and insert it somewhat like you would an OB tampon. Once it is in, you won’t feel that its there. It stays in place, out of the way, during your whole period*. It empties when you go to the bathroom, and when your period is over, bear down using your pelvic floor muscles, push it down and pull hooking your finger under the rim. If it sounds complicated, it isn’t – I promise. In fact, you’ll get the knack quickly and just a soon, forget that you’re even having your period.
Because of where it sits, you can continue all of your normal activities as if you weren’t even having your period, even sex! Instead is less irritating and stays put longer than a tampon. And, do I really have to explain why it is better than a pad? If you are interested, there is a ton of information on their website.
Instead used to be hard to find. I remember once driving around from store to store looking for them until Target finally came through for me, and for a couple of years, that was the only place I found them. So of course I bought a several boxes (they don’t expire!) – hoarding them, lest they become unavailable. (I felt like Elaine from the “sponge-worthy” episode.) Recently, I’ve seen several stores carrying them, so they shouldn’t be hard to find.
Through the years, I’ve recommended this to many of my girlfriends and have several that are as much a fan as I am.The Instead Softcup, this is something I love.
*Disclaimer: The company recommends changing the cup every 12 hours. I have never done this. I have always used just one per period. And, this is one of the reasons I love it – I’m not always messing with stuff down there. I put it in once, take it out once & that’s it. (Yes, you ‘empty’ it as often as you go the bathroom.) Also, using one cup per period means I buy one box of 12 a year – so this is much more economical than tampons or pads.
I’m proud of you for posting this! Seems impossible, but I’m willing to try just about anything once.
@Rebecca – You’ll be glad you did & wonder why you haven’t heard of them until now!
I really do love these and I’ve only used them for one period to date! I will use your technique of one per period. So economical! I’m never going back.. ever.
Seriously, my sample came today & I hadn’t even read this post yet!
You’ll love it!
I have been using these for about a year and also use one per period, although I take it out and wash it daily and reinsert it just in case! But good idea, I’ll try leaving it in. Its so amazing. I hate tampons!
I used soft cup this weekend for the first time . I didn’t have a problem getting it in I had a problem getting it out! After trying for 2 days I finally got in the shower ( I read most women prefer that method ) I pushed down like I was trying to squeeze a baby out finally I got my finger behind the cup and I got it out. I have a titled pelvis and wonder if that has anything to do with having a hard time getting it out. I wanted to try this product because I am going on a cruise this week with my boyfriend. I might give it another try now that I know what position I have to be in to get it out. Maybe I’ll have better luck next time.
PS . Does anyone have any better ideas on getting it out I know you have to relax but gezz my finger was hurting from trying so much. I also found using a little KY helped.
Amanda – I don’t have any experience with tilted pelvis’s but I bet if you submitted your question to Softcups on their website, you’d get an answer. They are great about responding. Of all my girlfriends who use it, I’ve never heard of it hurting to take it out – or of needing to use KY. You’re headed in the right direction about trying to push a baby out (pelvic floor exercises!!), so keep trying & see if the folks at Softcups have any insight.
I am 45 years old…perimenopausal. My periods have been driving me crazy for the last couple of years. They are so heavy that at times I have resorted to using a super tampon AND a huge pad together. Needless to say, I have ruined lots of underwear, and clothes. (Several embarrassing leaking incidents!) I found tampons uncomfortable, and pads really bug me. I had gotten to the point that I would just sleep with a towel between my legs. I came across the softcups in the pharmacy last month. I am so happy! I did change it every 12 hours per the instructions, but this month I am going to leave it in for the duration. Thanks for the tip!!! I will save a fortune in tampons, sanitary napkins, panties, etc.
I do have a story. LOL. I started my period and found out i didn’t have any tampons or pads my kids took them and made things out of them LMAO yes it happens. so all i had was toilet paper stuck like a pad and prayer my period won’t go all over me in the store (all i had was light pants clean) SO there i was looking at tampons and low and behold i seen a cup i thought it was some type of diopram or something i was courios but i looked sayed 12 hour protection. So i bought them with the only 7.00 i had for a 14 pack i said to heck with it i will try it. I got home i was so excited i showed my husband he was WHAT lol of corse he still dosn’t understand why i keep talking about them. So i put it in i checked it every hour or so to make sure cause it was my heavy day and it held up! imma leave it in for 12 hours today it is my heavy time. (just bought these yesterday) i like the idea of emptying while going to the bathroom! and using one every cycle!!! hubs is going to like it to cause he won’t have to buy super plus OB every month and a pack of now i say (dipers) I thank god for this product. The only thing bad about this product is when i sneeze or coulf or anything like that it moves and spills a bit if there is anything i can do to prevent that would be great! i am going to e-mail the softcup website. I keep them HIGH HIGH when i put tthem up and they have already payed for thereself with just one cup!!! a gotta try!!!
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