Instead Softcup Challenge!

If your body doesn't have the ability to bleed for 7 days and not die, I suggest you sit this one out (Seriously, Fred).

 

The reason for the disclaimer is I decided to take the Softcup Challenge via Tina's blog and I'm super excited to tell the world about my extremely personal time trying out the product! Kidding! (Not really)

I will admit, when I first heard about this product, I was extremely hesitant mainly because the idea sounded way too messy and complicated for me. After X many years, I have finally (sort of) gotten down the whole Tampon thing, why mess with that? But as the movement started to get bigger in the blogosphere, I decided to do some research. I really wanted to try it, but wasn't fully ready to take the leap. So, when this opportunity came along, I thought why not?

I don't know how to express to you how awesome I think this product is on so many different levels. It makes that time of the month as pain-free as possible and the rest, I'm sure Midol can handle. It's very much something you need to experience before you truly get how much of a difference this makes each month. It totally changed my view of that dreaded week and now it doesn't seem that big of a deal.

Through the process of switching over, I learned it has a lot to do with how well you know your body. The best way I can think to describe this process is it was like switching to regular tampons only when you always use super; then trying to figure out how often you had to change them. How long did it take you to figure out how often you needed to change your tampon? You know your body and how long you can wear what sized tampon on which day of the week, but I'm sure you didn't know that your first period. Same thing with this process. Don't get frustrated and give up because it will all be worth it. And if you don't have a routine down by now, I don't know what to tell you (maybe this will help?).

Here are a few helpful tips I either found out through Instead Softcup or from my own experience for those of you thinking about taking the challenge:

- Starting out with the product, test it out on a lighter day to get used to it.

- Insertion isn't that bad and you do get the hang of it quickly. I used to use the NuevoRing (birth control) and it was pretty much just like inserting that. I'd leave that in for the entire month, so I knew the Softcup wasn't going anywhere.

- For removing push down with your cervix, definitely helps make it easier.

-When changing it, do it sitting down. Spillage on your clothes at work? Opposite of awesome.

- Just because it can last up to 12 hours, doesn't mean it will. Think of it like a tampon, just because it can last up to X hours doesn't mean it won't fill up before that time.

- Sometimes there will be spillage (especially during earlier days) when you're peeing, it's completely normal. It isn't enough to justify wearing a pad. I wore one just in case and never needed it.

- For the lighter days, I was really grateful for the 12 hour protection. Not to get graphic, but I didn't really want to be replacing this thing at work/ public restroom. As the days went on and the flow got lighter, changing it at work wasn't a big deal. I've seen via twitter chats that some say they carry a latex glove for when in public, but I'm probably too lazy for that.

Things that are important to me that I think make this product awesome:

(stolen straight from their site):

- Softcup eliminates menstrual odor, since the menstrual flow isn't exposed to air

- Softcup loves making love . . .you can wear Softcup during intercourse for less messy sex on your period (My other half certainly thanks you on this one ;)

- BPA (and a bunch of other bad stuff) free

- In more than 10 years and 100 million Softcups sold, the Softcup has never had a reported incidence of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

I waited a few cycles to write this, so I could give a good honest (and possibly TMI'd) opinion. And as I waited, never had I ever been so happy for that time of the month to roll around (yes, I'm weird. It's ok). After 3 months, the only issue I have is Day 1 of Shark Week, which is no fault of this product at all. This is a very unique issue and the only reason why I include it, is in case their are other women like me looking to try this product, I want to fully inform them. Giving sunshine and daisy reviews aren't helpful and I wanted mine to be one I wish I would've seen before trying it out.

So, here's so more TMI part (in case the previous paragraphs weren't enough ;). Since getting off of birth control, I usually change tampons once an hour (seriously) on Day 1. So, I knew right off the bat, the 12 hr protection amazing selling point was out. The 2nd month, day 1 happened to fall on the first long run of my full marathon training. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try it out! But alas, that turned out to be a royal disaster. The next month wasn't much better either. Boo. But I will keep trying because I really believe this product is the better option. So clearly, I'm either committed to making this work. . . or I need to be committed.

But the good news is, once you get the hang of it, it's smooth sailing! The subsequent days are super hassle free. The only time you need to think about it is 12 hours later and guess what? If you forget it for a little bit longer, there is no risk of TSS. It really does make that time of the month as painless as possible. I can't wait to get Day 1 figured out and use this as my primary source!

I received the product mentioned in this blog for free to review. Regardless these opinions are 110% mine. I am being compensated by Evofem, however the opinions expressed in this post are exclusively mine.