I purchased a Keeper nine months ago and have been absolutely thrilled with it. After reading the article by Dr. Tierno regarding the safety of the newly "treated" Keepers versus the "old" Keepers, I am wondering how do I determine whether I own a "new" or an "old" Keeper? Are there any physical differences that you are aware of?
Thanks.
Dear Harry,
It is my impression that the new version of the Keeper is not yet on the market and as such I believe that the woman in question has the original Keeper. There is no way to tell by looking at the product; perhaps when it is marketed the box may say "improved" on it. Further research on different formulations is underway.
Perhaps you can recommend an antibody test (anti-TSST-1) to women who are fearful. If they have antibody at a titer of 1:100 or higher, then they are usually protected against TSS development.
Best Regards, Phil
Hi Harry, I just love the museum!
Now about this "Interlabial Padette" thing, speaking as a female I think it's a really bad idea, combining the disadvantages of a tampon with the disadvantages of a pad. Changing it at every urination wouldn't be so bad - many women do that with tampons anyway - but just what is supposed to hold it in the labia? During active sports such as swimming, gymnastics, karate, anything involving stretching that thing would pop right out - messy, messy, messy. What's more, it would leak, and most likely irritate the labia.
About a year ago, someone conducting a consumer survey in a shopping mall showed me mockup ads for this product and I thought it was a bad joke. I would not EVER buy this product, and I told them so. So they finally manufactured it and are selling it in Florida? Oh my.
What does work: (IMHO [in my humble opinion] anyway:) the o.b. non-applicator tampon is best! There's only a little teeny bit of cellophane to put in the trash, there's no annoying "deodorant," and they're not bulky. Great for travel, including ocean voyages, easy to carry around, easy to use, flushable. The greatest thing from Germany since Volkswagens.
Best of good fortune with the museum; if I am ever in the D.C. area I shall try and visit it!
Harry,
After reading so many messages about Instead I just had to write and ask what the heck the fuss is about.
I first heard about Instead and the Keeper here at the MUM Web site. I had tried the Tassaway cup back in the dark ages a zillion years ago when it came out. (Around 1970?) I was a teenager then and a virgin, and I found the Tassaway uncomfortable to use (all those nasty ridges), and expensive, but would have been perfectly happy with it except that IT DIDN'T WORK. Well actually, it did work, but no better than a tampon. Or at least no better than two tampons at a time, which is what I used on heavy days, sometimes with a pad backup.
I was intrigued by the Instead, so when I saw a box on the shelf of my drugstore (just before the out-of-business panic started) I bought a box to try. I cannot see what the big deal is. It's a lot more comfortable to insert than that darn old Tassaway was, and it works just as long as a tampon, BUT NO LONGER. At least not for me. Inadequate protection for heavy days, and for light days who needs it?
As I grew older I found that the span between periods was regular, but the bleeding pattern itself became erratic. I quit wearing tampons because I never know when to change them. (Although at night, I still wear two tampons and a full size pad. Usually works except on weekends when I sleep later.) I figure I will have the same problem with Instead. Am I doing something wrong? So many women seem so pleased with this product.
One of the best products I have found is Kotex Personals. Do you have a specimen in the museum? This is disposable underwear. You wear pads, tampons (or whatever) with them and toss 'em at the end of the day. I have never had an accident go through to my clothing while wearing these. The peace of mind is wonderful. BUT they only come in size small (5-7) and large (8-10), and I wear about size 12 undies, so they are uncomfortable for me. Yet more incentive for me to loose weight. But I highly recommend them to any "normal size" woman. (Don't get me started about what is considered normal.)
Mr. Finley,
Congratulations on your fine and informative Web site. I hope to one day visit your museum personally (when you've found a new home).
I am the assistant to internationally syndicated writer Rob Brezsny, whose Real Astrology column is found in some 110 publications worldwide. I was referred to your site by the wonderful women at GladRags. While ordering a gift for one of our readers, I mentioned to the GladRags order-taker that I had been inundated with e-mails about the possibility of asbestos in tampons and regarding the possible dangers of dioxin in same. I was unsure whether to post this email on the realastrology.com Web site, and she told me about mum.org. I feel better having read your thoughtful questions and answers on the subject.
The reason that Real Astrology was the recipient of this email is because we maintain a Menstrual Rant section of our monthly newsletter, the Televisionary Oracle. We encourage readers to write in with complaints, suggestions, stories, etc. all related to their menses. It might make a nice link for you: http://www.realastrology.com/oracle/menstrual-nov.html
I will be linking from realastrology.com to mum.org if that meets with your approval. Rob's site receives upwards of 800,000 hits a month and his hard-copy readership tops 7 million. I would like to direct some of these fans to your work.
Thank you again for the wonderful service that you are providing.
With best wishes,
Gretchen Giles
Real Astrology
Regarding your latest on Modess, even after childbirth (1988 and 1991), I still didn't wear a belted pad [I originally wrote incorrectly that all women used them after childbirth in the hospital.]
I was given in the hospital a stretchy ventilated (the sides had a lot of holes) undergarment that would hold a hospital-type pad next to my body. They were disposable; I have no idea what they are called.
Hi,
I love your super Web site! [Great!]
It's good to talk about these things. I've learnt a lot. In Grandma's day girls had to put up with a lot of monthly embarrassment and discomfort because of ignorance and fear of finding out about their own bodies. Now I suppose we take internal aids too much for granted.
I love swimming so I have used Tampax since my first period. It was really difficult to use at first but now they are very easy. Normally they are absolutely brilliant, but this year I joined a club doing synchronized swimming, I go twice a week or more, and the problem is when I wear a tampon it gets soaked with water when I go through my routine. It gets really uncomfortable and it is really embarrassing having to rush off to the loo as soon as I finish. I seem to be the only one with this problem! Is it normal or not? [Readers, respond to her via katiejane78@hotmail.com]
I heard about the rubber cups (thanks to you!) but being small and young I am not sure if I would be able to use them. It is really interesting to learn about these things as over here in England nobody knows they even exist. Thank you very much! [You're welcome!]
Have any swimmers out there had this problem, or does anyone know how to solve the problem? If so please please tell me. Please publish my e-mail address which is katiejane78@hotmail.com If I find an answer I will let you know!
Katie.
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.