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11 April 2009 @ 09:40 am
Instead constest.....Free box

I havent had an account or posted here until today, though have lurked since early last fall when i started looking at menstrual cups.  I've since gotten a Diva Cup and Insteads, both of which I love.  Prefer the Diva cup, but do lik...e the insteads as well.  Am actually only on my second one as ive been using it like a semi reusable cup.  But since i initially ordered the trial pack through the softcup website, I ended up getting this email the other day.  Thought maybe some other ladies here might like to do this but have only gotten insteads at stores.  And it says every entry gets a 24 count box....so if using one for each period, that would be good for 2 years.......longer if using one for a couple periods before tossing.  Cant imagaine how long a case....or 3 cases at that would last if using them like semi reusable.

 
 

Dear Loyal Instead Users!
We are having a contest!

Yes, a contest...actually 2...with lots of winners! Every entry will receive 1 free 24-count box of Instead® Softcup™!

CONTEST 1
We want videos! We want your best shot at a commercial or creative video for Instead®.

Pull out the video camera. Jump in front of your webcam. Give a personal testimonial. Introduce a friend to it on camera. Get Creative! Be silly! Be edgy! Anything goes!
 

CONTEST 2
We want your ideas!

Don't have a video camera? Send us your best ideas for an ad or commercial for the Softcup™.
Send as many as you like!

PRIZES
ALL ENTRIES WILL RECEIVE 1 FREE BOX OF INSTEAD®.

Each contest will have 10 winners.

1st place: $1,000 plus 3 cases of Instead (approx 3 years supply)

2nd place: $500 plus 2 cases of Instead

3rd place: $250 plus 1 case of Instead

4th - 10th place: 1 case of Instead (approx 1 year supply)

Submission Information:

You can submit your videos or ideas by email to video@softcup.com

OR by mail to:

Instead Video Contest
4275 Executive Square
Suite 440
La Jolla, CA 92037

Submission DEADLINE is midnight Pacific Time on July 31 for emails or postmarked by July 31 for mail-in entries.

Any of the following formats are acceptable: any MPEG format, Quicktime (.mov), DV, AVI, Windows Media (.wmv), DVD

You must also complete and sign this consent form (http://softcup.com/video_release_form.pdf) and send via mail, email, or fax (858) 550-0119.
 

Thanks everyone, Good Luck....and.....ACTION!

 

 
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20 comments —
( 20 comments — Leave a comment )
Stephbuffyfan23 on April 11th, 2009 02:36 pm (UTC)
So here is my problem with Instead. The point of menstrual cups is to cut back on spending money each month/year on menstrual products that are disposable & help save the enviroment. However, the Instead cup deliberately puts multiple cups into their packages to dispose of the used items and use a new one. Yet, menstrual cups by their very nature are supposed to be reusable and last for years. I know that it has been mentioned that many women use the Instead cups multiple times, however, the product specifically gives you others to use. I just thought that was a interesting side note, considering the fact that many women use them in order to not only be helpful to their bodies but the planet as well. Shouldn't we invest in a product that does both?
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ever so slightly obsessedscien on April 11th, 2009 02:46 pm (UTC)
'The point of menstrual cups is to cut back on spending money each month/year on menstrual products that are disposable & help save the enviroment.'
That may be your reason for using menstrual cups, but it is not 'the point' of all menstrual cups for all people. The Instead's main selling point is not saving the environment, it's that you can use them during intercourse. Which you generally can't with the bell shaped reusable cups.

'menstrual cups by their very nature are supposed to be reusable and last for years.'
Reusable menstrual cups are by their very nature supposed to be reusable and last for years. The Insteads are a disposable cup. They are made of completely different materials and used in a different way to reusable cups. It sounds like you have an image of someone throwing away a Divacup each day - that's really not what they are.

You are very welcome to use whatever products you choose for whatever reasons are important to you. But not everyone is going to have the same priorities as you, and they are equally welcome here.
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Stephbuffyfan23 on April 11th, 2009 02:50 pm (UTC)
I was just pointing something out. I know everyone's opinions & product choices are individual and valuable to them, however, I just wanted to raise some concerns.
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ever so slightly obsessedscien on April 11th, 2009 06:48 pm (UTC)
Sure, and that would be fine. However, if you read the bits of your comment that I quoted, and the rest of the comments on this page, you'll see that you came across as more prescriptive than you perhaps intended.
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leia149 on April 11th, 2009 05:22 pm (UTC)
Exactly, plus they say that one box of 24 is a year supply. One box of 24 tampons is like 1-2 month supply. So even being disposable, it is less wasteful. But yes women here have stated that they reuse one for a full cycle, or several cycles.

I even read something about magic kegaling to empty the cup without removal! That right there is an amazing reason to try! (I have IUD so none for me)
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jelayne on April 11th, 2009 08:27 pm (UTC)
Actually they are saying that 1 case, not one box, is a years supply. If they were saying one box is a years supply then that would be saying using 2 per period, which they would not say something contradicting their 12 hour recomendation.

Im assuming a case probably has somewhere between 6-10 boxes. A 24 box would be 2years supply if using one each period....If someone uses them like that a case will have them set for 12-20 years depending on how many boxes is in a case. lol. And using each one for a couple periods....lol probably would hit menapause before ran out. Now 3 cases.....lol.
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leia149 on April 11th, 2009 10:53 pm (UTC)
That makes more sense, 1 box didn't make sense as a year supply from the manufacturer. The #s didn't add up right.
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fireaphidfireaphid on April 11th, 2009 06:39 pm (UTC)
Ditto! They're not claiming to save money or the environment.

When I switched to alternative menstrual products, I was primarily concerned with comfort/health, not money or the environment. Everyone's reasons are different, and it's by no means unconscionable to prefer Insteads over reusable cups.
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jelayne on April 11th, 2009 03:45 pm (UTC)
Well still even throwing away 4-6 insteads a year is much better for the environment then throwing away dozens of tampons/pads each period. Yes the way they are intended to be used isnt so environmentally friendly, but using them as semi reusable which i know many of the women on here have comented on doing and i do as well, its really not all that bad for the environment. Like I said....24 box could last 2 years using one each period. Could easily last 4-6 years using each for 2-3 periods. 24 box of tampons or pads would be lucky to get you through a period.

But really my favorite thing about the insteads, is you have fresh unopened ones you can keep in places for if you need them.....desk at work, purse, car, whatever. And the thing with that, and i know ive read someone else commenting on this, is it gives you the oppertunity to possibly turn someone else on to using menstrual cups. Friend needs a tampon and happens to ask you if you have one in your purse. Insteads are something that is easy to give to someone and just go "here try this". Cant really do that with reusables.
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jelayne on April 11th, 2009 04:10 pm (UTC)
Also just wanted to add on, that insteads are a good transition for someone that is not completely sold on the idea of using a cup. Is less money to buy an initial box then to buy a reusable. Is more similar in putting in to a tampon. You do have to admit that reusables are pretty tricky to start out with, finding which fold works, getting them to pop open. Would be pretty easy to give up on if you were not really into the idea. And someone that is completely grossed out by the idea of catching flow in a cup then having to clean a cup, dealling with being able to toss it would be an easier way to start. And with all cases, getting more comfortable with insteads, would make going on to looking into a reusable more likely.
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daimeredaimere on April 11th, 2009 04:31 pm (UTC)
I will have to do this!

I know my mom needed a tampon bad and I said, "I only have instead cups." She loves them to catch discharge/what not from her junk settling with age. She actually started to reuse them which at the time, I thought was gross.
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daimeredaimere on April 11th, 2009 03:55 pm (UTC)
See, I started using the Instead cups to adjust to the idea of sticking a cup inside me. After not being completely happy with them, I was adjusted to the idea of a reusable cup. Also, I still have instead cups because I can have sex with them.

Also, if you are using tampons every 5 hours and since the instead cup can hold more, you can empty every 10 hours, you will still be reducing waste.

I didn't start using Instead to reduce waste or anything. I just wanted to try something different than tampons.
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jelayne on April 11th, 2009 04:16 pm (UTC)
I didnt look in to cups to reduse waste either. Was just a nice bonus. Also was just looking for something different and loved the idea of menstral cups.
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taobenlitaobenli on April 11th, 2009 05:00 pm (UTC)
I like Insteads a lot, and I reuse them. My period is pretty light, and on day one and two I use my Divacup (which I'm gradually getting the hang of). On the third day I use an Instead cup, because my cervix seems too low to get the Divacup to fit comfortably that day! By day four I generally only need a pantiliner. Also, if I'm going for a jog I use an Istead, as it just feels that much more secure with a lot of impact than the Diva. (I haven't tried with yoga yet, but that's the next step).
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ever so slightly obsessedscien on April 11th, 2009 02:38 pm (UTC)
Mod note
Hiya,

Since this contains images, can you please put this behind a cut?

Thanks,
<lj user="sweetrush"
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jelayne on April 11th, 2009 03:57 pm (UTC)
Re: Mod note
Sorry bout that
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ever so slightly obsessedscien on April 11th, 2009 05:06 pm (UTC)
Re: Mod note
No worries - thanks!
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morejellytoastmorejellytoast on April 11th, 2009 08:28 pm (UTC)
I wish I was creative. :(
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daimeredaimere on April 12th, 2009 03:17 am (UTC)
I wish I had a friend to tape it with. I have tons of ideas. :(
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stweasley84: socksstweasley84 on April 12th, 2009 04:34 pm (UTC)
While I originally bought my Diva (over a year ago) to save money and be environmentally aware, I had a lot of problems with it at first (as most people seem to do). I wasn't very familiar with my body and was a little afraid of my cup. Last month, I decided to try using Insteads, so I bought a small box. It worked in helping me become more accustomed to my body. This month, I tried again with my Diva and now I love it. (By the way, I have about three Insteads left and really have nothing to do with them if anyone would like them...still in package obviously). I would just use them until they're gone...but, the rim pushed against my pubic bone/urethra too much and made me have to pee a lot lol.

Anyway, I guess my point is, as many other people have already stated: Everyone has different reasons for using different products. My motivation for using menstrual cups was one way, but I was afraid of the product. I was able to ease myself into my Diva with Insteads. While I don't really like the product, I'm grateful that my Diva was no longer a waste of money.

Sorry for the rambling.
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