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Frequently Asked Questions
These questions are commonly asked by our clients. Please click on a question to view (or hide) the response.
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About INSTEAD
What is INSTEAD?
INSTEAD is a soft, disposable cup that you wear inside you to collect and hold, rather than absorb, your monthly flow.
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Does INSTEAD come in different sizes?
No, INSTEAD is available in a single size only ("one size fits most"). This single size was chosen after significant design research showed that it fits almost all women comfortably and securely. Sometimes due to anatomical differences a small minority of women may find the cup doesn't fit as well as they would like it to.
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What is INSTEAD made of?
The cup is made of polyethylene and mineral oil. It is a non-absorbent, non-irritating thermoplastic material that has been used for more than twenty years in health care items such as catheters and baby bottle nipples. It does not contain any latex.
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What are the benefits of using INSTEAD?
INSTEAD offers numerous benefits over other period product options. Here are just a few ways INSTEAD is better:
INSTEAD has no external strings or wings;INSTEAD works for your entire period - light, medium and heavy flow days - so there is no need to buy several different products;INSTEAD can be worn longer than a tampon, up to a maximum of twelve hours;When inserted correctly, INSTEAD is a very comfortable form of feminine protection whether you're sitting, swimming, sleeping or exercising;Although INSTEAD is not a contraceptive, it allows you to have clean, comfortable sex during your period;You can insert an INSTEAD any time you think you might be getting your period to help prevent accidents or any time you experience irregular spotting;INSTEAD is non-absorbent so the vaginal tissues do not dry out (by contrast, tampons can be so absorbent that they adhere to vaginal walls, making removal more difficult and uncomfortable);Since menstrual fluid does not come into contact with the air, INSTEAD helps prevent the occurrence of odour, leaving you feeling fresh and clean.
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Where can I buy INSTEAD?
You can buy INSTEAD here. Currently it is only available on-line but this site will be updated as it becomes more widely available.
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What else can INSTEAD be used for?
Inserting INSTEAD immediately after intercourse may increase the chances of becoming pregnant. Read more....
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Safety & Suitability
How do I know if INSTEAD doesn't fit?
INSTEAD is available in a single size which fits nearly all women. If it does not fit then most likely your vagina is too small. If this is the case, you will know right away because the cup will not stay in place behind your pubic bone. If after correct insertion (i.e. around, rather than in front of, the cervix), the cup tends to slide out or you cannot get the rim behind the pubic bone then INSTEAD is probably too large.
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Are there any women who should not use INSTEAD?
Women using an intrauterine device (IUD) should not use INSTEAD as there is a risk of dislodging or removing the IUD by pulling on the IUD string while removing INSTEAD.Women who have ever had toxic shock syndrome (TSS) should not use any internal sanitary protection product, including INSTEAD. Women who have just had a child, miscarriage or abortion, or have been told they have a tilted uterus should consult their doctor before using INSTEAD. There are no age limitations on the use of INSTEAD and it can be worn by virgins. Successful placement and removal of the cup requires knowledge and a level of comfort with your body.
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Is INSTEAD safe?
INSTEAD has had extensive toxicology, biocompatibility and microbiological laboratory testing. It has also undergone human clinical testing and has been used by millions of women since it went on the market in the U.S. in 1996. All results support the safety of INSTEAD when used as directed. The cup is compatible with a woman's internal tissues, does not promote infection, and is not likely to cause an allergic reaction. INSTEAD is made of a blend of polyethylene and synthetic plastics. It does not contain latex. INSTEAD does not leave fibres behind in your body.If you feel itching, redness or swelling after you have inserted INSTEAD, gently remove it and discontinue use. It is possible that a few individuals could be sensitive to the materials in this or any product.
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Is there a risk of toxic shock syndrome?
Laboratory studies show that INSTEAD does not promote the growth of the kind of bacteria that causes TSS. Use of super absorbent tampons that contain hundreds of fibres is associated with an increased risk of acquiring TSS. Unlike tampons, INSTEAD has no fibres and is not absorbent. To date, there have not been any reported cases of TSS, but we continue to monitor to determine the actual risk of TSS.
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Can I re-use INSTEAD?
INSTEAD is designed as a single use menstruation collection cup and should not be worn more than once. Each INSTEAD is safe for use up to 12 hours. However, the cup should never be re-used since doing so may expose you to the risk of vaginal infection.
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Can INSTEAD be changed where there are no facilities?
Yes, you can still use INSTEAD where there are no facilities, e.g. when camping or hiking. In fact, this is when you'll really appreciate the benefits. By using a clean sandwich bag or disposable plastic glove, you avoid the need to clean your hands. After removal, turn the bag or glove inside out around the cup to store the used item until you reach a suitable place for its disposal.
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Insertion & Removal
Can you give any tips for new users?
Detailed instructions are included; you should first read them thoroughly. Like all new activities, such as putting in contact lenses or using a tampon, using INSTEAD may seem awkward at first. It might take a little time to learn how to properly insert and remove. We recommend you try INSTEAD during your light flow days while you become familiar with its use. Give yourself plenty of time to experiment with the cup and remember to relax. The first time you use INSTEAD on a heavy flow day we recommend that you use a pantyliner just for added protection. You will soon learn just how often to change the cup. Like tampons, if you leave the cup in too long it will leak.Stick with it. We believe the benefits of using INSTEAD more than make up for the initial time it might take to learn how to use correctly and comfortably. Read our guide to using INSTEAD.
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Which way up?
We advise using INSTEAD so that the collection reservoir area hangs down from the bottom of the rim. However, some women prefer to use it the other way up, so that the seam is uppermost and the reservoir area hangs down within the rim.
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How do I insert INSTEAD?
You may want to start by learning more about your own vaginal anatomy. Begin by inserting your finger just an inch or so into your vaginal opening. Then slide your finger further in until you can feel your cervix at the end of your vagina. (Your cervix is the bottom part of your uterus. It is knob-shaped and about an inch in diameter.)Before inserting the INSTEAD, wash your hands. The first time you insert the INSTEAD, we recommend squatting or sitting on the toilet with your knees apart. When you are in this position, your vaginal canal is horizontal, sloping slightly downward. To insert the INSTEAD properly, pick it up and hold it so that the collection reservoir area hangs down from the bottom of the rim. Then, squeeze the opposite sides of the rim together. You will note that when squeezed for insertion, the INSTEAD is about the same size as a tampon. Gently slide the cup down toward your tailbone, for insertion. The INSTEAD will slide into place under the cervix and behind the pubic bone and will come to rest naturally in the anatomical space just below the cervix. Your body will naturally stop the INSTEAD. Once the cup is in place insert your finger and feel for the bottom of the collection cup. You should feel your cervix inside the cup, which means that it is properly positioned. Do not tilt the inside edge of the cup upward as you insert it, because it will bunch up in front of the cervix instead of slipping under and into place behind the cervix where it should be. If that happens, just pull the cup back slightly toward the opening of the vagina, then lift up on the outside edge and try again. When the INSTEAD is inserted properly, you shouldn't feel it. If you feel something in the vaginal canal, the cup is probably not far enough inside you. Just remove it and try again. Remember, it will be much easier if you are relaxed. If you are still unable to insert it until it slides comfortably into place, the cup may be too large for you. This may be true for a small percentage of women. If you want to double check on the fit and/or size of INSTEAD, take one with you the next time you visit your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. S/he can check it for you. If you are still having trouble inserting INSTEAD, here are a few tips. First of all, we recommend that you try inserting the INSTEAD for the first time on a light flow day or even when you are not having your period, preferably in the privacy of your own home and when you have plenty of time. That way you'll be more relaxed.
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Can I insert INSTEAD too far?
Some women are uncertain just where an INSTEAD goes and worry that they can insert it too far. When properly inserted, the rim of the cup is lodged between the pubic bone (which is just inside the vagina) and the very back of the vagina, and the cup should cover the cervix (a fleshy knob that feels like the tip of your nose - the cervix is another name for the bottom of your uterus). The menstrual flow comes out of the uterus through a very small opening in the cervix. INSTEAD cannot get lost inside the body since this opening is much too narrow.
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How do I remove INSTEAD?
To remove INSTEAD we recommend sitting on the toilet with your knees apart. Insert your finger into the vagina and locate the pubic bone; the INSTEAD rim will be right behind it. Hook your finger under the rim. Don't worry; your fingernails cannot puncture the cup. (Some women use their middle finger to remove the cup, as the middle finger tends to be longer than the index finger.) Very slowly pull the INSTEAD out, keeping it horizontal and level to the floor. Do not pull down like you would with a tampon, as this can cause spillage. Do not twist; just pull steadily. If you have trouble hooking your finger under the rim, bear or push down with your pelvic muscles and try hooking your finger under the rim again. You can also insert your finger over the rim and into the cup but it will be slightly messier when you remove it. It is not unusual for first time users to make more than one attempt to remove INSTEAD. You may want to practice removing INSTEAD for the first time when you are not on your period and when you are in the privacy of your own bathroom. It is important to remain relaxed because tense muscles make it harder to remove INSTEAD. Don't worry; the cup cannot be lost inside your body and it can be worn safely up to twelve hours. Some women find that crouching in a warm shower makes removal easier because they are relaxed and less concerned about spillage. Always remember to remove your last INSTEAD when your period is over, and NEVER WEAR AN INSTEAD FOR MORE THAN 12 HOURS!
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How should I dispose of a used INSTEAD?
We recommend that you empty the menstrual fluid contained in the cup into the toilet or, simply put toilet tissue inside the cup to absorb the fluid. Place the product inside the wrapper for disposal or wrap it in toilet tissue and throw it away in an appropriate waste container. Do not flush the INSTEAD or the wrapper down the toilet as this can block the drain and damage plumbing.
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Wearing INSTEAD
Can I feel INSTEAD when it is in?
No, when INSTEAD is inserted correctly you should not even feel that it is in place. This allows you to go about your day without the constant reminder that you are on your period.
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How long can I wear INSTEAD?
The maximum wear time is determined by both health considerations and the amount of flow. From a health standpoint, the cup can be worn safely for up to a maximum of twelve hours. But on heavy flow days, you will need to change the cup more often or leakage will occur. Just how frequently will be something you'll learn as you develop more experience with using INSTEAD. In general, you should be able to double your wear time with INSTEAD, when you compare it to tampons and pads. If you change every two hours on a heavy day, change INSTEAD every four hours. Remember, no form of sanitary protection is leak-proof.
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Can INSTEAD be used as a contraceptive?
No, INSTEAD is to be used as period protection. Though the cup resembles a diaphragm, it should not be used to prevent pregnancy or prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
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Can I have sex with INSTEAD in place?
Yes, you can have clean, comfortable sex with INSTEAD in place. Although individual experience may vary, most likely neither you nor your partner will be able to feel the cup. To help avoid leakage on heavy flow days, insert a new cup immediately before intercourse. Remember that INSTEAD is not a contraceptive and does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections.
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Can INSTEAD leak?
Even though INSTEAD provides more longer lasting protection than other forms of sanitary protection, no sanitary protection product is leak-proof. From a health standpoint INSTEAD can be worn safely for up to twelve hours, but some women will need to change it more frequently than that on heavy flow days. Just how frequently will be something you'll learn as you develop more experience with using it. In general, women should be able to double wear time with INSTEAD, when compared to tampons and pads. The first time you use INSTEAD on a heavy flow day, we recommend wearing a pantyliner or pad to protect you from accidents until you become accustomed to how frequently you need to change the cup.You may notice some leakage when going to the bathroom. This is because when you void urine or your bowel, the muscles "bear down" and can push the rim slightly forward, allowing some fluid to leak out and into the toilet. When you relax from voiding, the cup moves back into position and the leaking stops. If this is the only time you observe leakage, it is normal and the INSTEAD is inserted correctly. If you experience leakage during heavy exercise or during intercourse, you may have waited too long to change the cup. Remember to insert a new cup before intercourse or before engaging in a strenuous physical activity. INSTEAD may leak if it has been inserted incorrectly (either in the wrong position or upside-down).
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Can INSTEAD cause cramping or discomfort?
If you normally experience menstrual cramps, INSTEAD will probably not change the cramping that you experience. A small percentage of women may experience more menstrual cramping while wearing INSTEAD. If so, simply remove it and see if the cramping subsides. If so, you may still want to try INSTEAD another time. If the cramping does not change, then wearing INSTEAD is probably not having any effect.If the discomfort occurs right after insertion, INSTEAD may be inserted incorrectly or it may actually be too large. If so, it will protrude slightly from the vaginal opening.
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What about going to the toilet?
You may notice some slight menstrual fluid leakage when going to the toilet. When you void your bladder or your bowel, the muscles "bear down" and can push the rim slightly forward, allowing some fluid to leak out and into the toilet. When you relax from voiding, the cup moves back into position and the leaking stops. If this is the only time you observe leakage, it is normal and the INSTEAD is inserted correctly.
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