Money saver for tampon users

[faielyne]

Well I'm sure that pad users realize that there are reusable alternatives to sanitary napkins, but did you also know that there is a reusable alternative to tampons? It's called The Keeper and it is a reusable silicone cup. For more information, go to their website: http://www.keeper.com

Here's my personal opinion about this product. . .

I got mine in 1999 and have used it religiously every month since. I never have to worry about getting to the store to get more tampons. If I'm out, I never have to worry about whether I forgot extras or brought enough. There are so many benefits with this product before even mentioning the money-saving aspect! Health benefits being a large one! Check out that site to find out what tampons can do to your body! Yuk!

Now for the money-saving part! It's $40.00 and it's good for up to about 10 years! The savings speak for themselves! Consider it! Even if you hate it, it's not a huge investment, and I believe that they offer a guarantee.

Hope that was helpful.

[BillsGirl]

I've seen the disposol kind of that stuff whatever it's called and I tried it but was very messy and could never use it right, so I am not so sure about this stuff, might take some time getting use to!!

[faielyne]

Hmm, I've never seen the disposable ones. The one I use took no time at all to get the hang of. But it is definitely something that you gotta be comfortable with. So for some it would be a great alternative, and for others, not so much. But it's saved me tons so I thought I might suggest it.

[DivaJen]

I think there was (is?) a product called the Instead cup, which is a disposable version of the keeper. Never used it.

I have a keeper too and like it a lot. It's been nearly two years now since I switched.

[CheaplyClever]

This is not a new idea. There was a plastic cup on the market in the 70's (yes, I'm THAT old!) They were disposable. Maybe it was "Instead". Anyway, I bought only one box of them. You do have to get the hang of it! Leakage was my main issue. They disappeared from the shelf and I forgot about them.

[faielyne]

No, this isn't new, it's just that women are rarely told of all of their options.

As far as leakage, I can't say how well the disposeable ones work, or don't, but my reuseable one has only leaked once and that was when I first used it and didn't know how often I should empty it. So it was user error for me. I haven't had any leakage problems whatsoever since.

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by faielyne

No, this isn't new, it's just that women are rarely told of all of their options.

As far as leakage, I can't say how well the disposeable ones work, or don't, but my reuseable one has only leaked once and that was when I first used it and didn't know how often I should empty it. So it was user error for me. I haven't had any leakage problems whatsoever since.

Ditto - you took the words out of my mouth.

[cicy33]

Okay, I had to go to the website and check it out. One question for the "users" and I will try to be diplomatic. It says that it hold 1 ounce of menstrual flow but in the last few years I have a problem with large clots, won't that make it overflow? or back up into your system? Also for the one who uses it all the time, don't you worry it will get sucked up into you?

[DivaJen]

You adjust how often you empty it as you get used to using it, so even with heavy periods I don't think you run the risk of plumbing problems.

It won't get sucked up into you any more than a tampon might - maybe even less of a chance. There's a 'tail' on the end that you can trim or leave as is. Leaving a bit of a tail makes it easier to remove it, but as you get more comfortable with it trimming the tail can actually increase the comfort of using it. Once it's in, you feel nothing.

If it does 'ride up' a bit, you can bear down a bit and it'll come back down to where you can remove it easily.

It is so nice to be away from the house and not even think twice about having supplies and whatnot.

[faielyne]

I used tampons since my first period. I had (have?) such a heavy flow, complete with the clots and everything. When I started using the Keeper, I discovered that my flow was only about 2/3 as heavy as I thought. Tampons don't actually absorb all the way through. Have you ever noticed that? Like you go to switch it cause you're thinking, "Dang, I just put that in and I am already feeling like I need to change it." Then you take it out and it looks like it shoulda been good for another hour? Well I think that is so we won't leave them in so long and risk TSS and other problems. With the keeper, I couldn't believe how much more efficient it was. I thought, "That little thing? That won't hold anything!" How wrong I was! We don't bleed as much as the ads and fem-hy companies would have us believe. They're on television pouring 4 cups of blue water on a tampon or pad and ooohing over how absorbant it is. Meanwhile, we don't even bleed that much and the tampon is leaking after a half hour in most cases!

So where am I going with this? Oh yeah, I think this is even more useful for those of us with heavy flow. And clots, I noticed them more with tampons, maybe cause they are more obvious, but they just end up in the cup too. As for getting sucked up into me? That can't happen. Tampons have far more chances of hurting your body. Even though a tampon comes out, often times remnants will remain. These can cause TSS, too, as well as a number of other bacterial infections. And yes, you can douche, but that isn't really good for the pH balance down there.

So that's my response. I have mentioned before that it's gotta be something you're comfortable with trying, but if you do I think you'll find it unthinkable to go back.

[BillsGirl]

wow faielyne you have me sold!! I have the same problem with constantly putting tampons in then I am leaking with in half an hour and then changing and then wondering why i am leaking it makes total sense, yes the disposable cup I tried was instead and only tried it once! Maybe I should give this a go?? My hubby tried to get me to use pads but they just smell so terrible and I hate the fact the my blodd is rubbing all over me I am usually so disgusted by that, sorry to be gross I am not trying to be!! Thanks I think you have changed me!

[zakity]

I have used the instead cups (didn't like those) and I have a keeper also. It leaked, but I think that is because I had a fibroid. The fibroid is now gone and I keep forgetting to try it again. I know people who use sea sponges and others who use reusable cloth pads.

[cicy33]

I gotta say that I am tempted but I don't want to spend all that money if I hate it! Don't guess they have free samples?

[faielyne]

check out the site, I believe they offer a money back guarantee in case you don't like it.

[cicy33]

I wonder if they require return of the item, ewww gross! I just hate spending $30 on something that I am already unsure of! I think I will think about it some more.

[joeswife]

ive thougth about trying one, but the problem is, i dont think you can use them if you have an iud.