Incase the title alone didn’t scare away the dudes who visit my blog, I must advise you leave now.. We will be discussing things that frighten the average man. Yes, period talk. Vaginas… It’s all happening here, right now.

Being a blogger, I have been blessed with the opportunity to try some really cool things… In fact, as a lot of you already know, it even lead me to my new family, Oakley Women! However, I’ve been given the opportunity to try some things that AREN’T fitness related, as well. Such as the Instead SoftCup. A few months ago I teamed up with For The Love of The Run to take on the Instead SoftCup challenge!

What in the world is the Instead SoftCup? Well, in case you didn’t catch my drift from the first paragraph.. The SoftCup is an alternative to the regular ole Tampons and Pads. (ugh… pads.. That gives me 8th grade locker room horrifying flashbacks) I have to say, at first I was sort of terrified of these things, but they really do beat the stuffing out of tampons (gah gah gah.)

I’m not going to lie to you… When I first opened the cute little purple package, and saw THAT inside, I took a serious gulp. Then debated if I ever wanted something that big near my lady parts. (yes gentlemen..if you haven’t left yet, now’s the time!!) I mean.. It was easily the size of the palm of my hand… Then I played around with it like a little kid and noticed how flexible it was!

So when Satan, as I refer to it, came to town I decided to give it a whirl… The first time was a charm!! It was a little awkward getting it in there at first, but once it was locked into place I couldn’t feel anything. See, the Softcup is heat sensitive so once it’s in it sort of ‘seals’ to your vaginal wall, so to speak.

Ya know how you have to change a tampon, or pad every few hours? Not the case with the SoftCup.. Assuming you’re flow isn’t like CRAZY unusually heavy, you can use it for 12+ hours without a problem. Once you’re ready to empty it just hook a finger around the rim and pull it out. I admit, this part is the biggest challenge. It can be a little awkward pulling it out without sort of… making a mess. But like anything else it just takes a little adjusting. If you pull it out at a slight angle there’s no mess at all!

My favorite thing about the Softcup though? There are far fewer potential hazards. Softcups do not alter the body’s pH levels, natural bacteria levels, or absorb the body’s moisture…. All of these things (when altered) can lead to the infamous TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome)

Also, it is claimed that you can even have clean sex with the softcup in. Since it is shaped similar to a diaphragm it won’t interrupt anything I myself haven’t tried this… But they swear by it on their website. Smaller, reusable silicone cups can in theory be worn during sex, but they get knocked over easily because of their shape.

So, if you’re in the market for a healthier, cleaner, EASIER way to spend that miserable week us ladies have to endure once a month.. Check out the Softcup!! For more information about Instead Softcups see Softcup.com

**Disclaimer** I was provided a pack of Instead Softcups. However, all opinions are my own