I tried Instead and hated them. Made me relive the birth-control nightmare of having to install a diaphragm (yuck!). They were difficult to get in, leaked and when removed - what a mess. I'm back with my old reliable o.b. tampons. [All these complaints are typical for many Instead users.]
Okay, I just finished reading all the comments about Instead and The Keeper.
I myself live on the West Coast in Washington and heard of Instead about 2 years ago. I have never heard of The Keeper. I found all the mail from users very interesting. I decided to try Instead about a year ago, having used a diaphragm as a contraceptive for a year, so I felt very confident on inserting Instead correctly.
Insertion wasn't a problem, neither was removing it without mishap. The biggest problem was that Instead was just too big. I compared it to the size of my diaphragm, and it is huge! No wonder Instead leaked and felt uncomfortable, not to mention wouldn't stay in place. I am really amazed that we aren't offered a size choice. I would think that an innovative company that seems to understand women's bodies, and their right to choices, would not overlook such a serious need. I think Instead was a great thing, but I cannot use it, due to the oversight of the sizing.
I have really enjoyed your Web site. Thank you for all the input and effort to all the women, and men out there. [You're welcome!]
Hi,
I saw your page on menstruation. Great work! [Thanks!]
But I have a question: where in the Qur'an [Koran] does it say that menstruation is a punishment for Eve? You said the Torah, Bible and Qur'an say so. I never found it in Koran.
Could you please point it out for me. [Again, I just re-printed a section of a Zoroastrian Web site.]
And by the way, talking about menstruation and religion, you suggest verse 2:223 of Qur'an, which is not about menstruation. I wonder why you did not suggest 2:222, since it is the one that talk about menstruation, not 2:223. [See my declaration of innocence, above.]
They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn unto Him, and loveth those who have a care for cleanness. (QS. 2:222)
This is Pickthal's translation. He used the word illness in the translation. If you look up other translations, you may find that it is translated as "hurt" or "pollution" or other. There is no exact English word. I was told the exact meaning is: something that cause vulnerability (esp. concerning health) which is correct in the case of menstruation.
And please note that this verse explain that the woman is being cleansed in menstruation, which interestingly agrees with Profet's theory. [Margie Profet won a MacArthur Fellowship a few years ago for her theory that menstruation in a sense cleanses.] I bet if Profet were a Muslim, she would be quite surprised.
By the way, if you use other translations, they may use the words "are clean" instead of "are cleansed" that Pickthal uses.
In the original Qur'an, it says "till they are cleansed," not "clean." But as you may well know, it is not unusual for translators to translate according to their interpretation, which might not be correct.
Sincerely,
ida udur@omni.cc.purdue.edu
We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them save with truth, and lo! The Hour is surely coming. So forgive, with a gracious forgiveness.
If I may add: In Islam you can kiss, touch, caress, share your bed, etc., as long as you do not penetrate the vagina during the menstruation.
Irregular menses identify women at high risk for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which exists in 6-10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is a major cause of infertility and is linked to diabetes.