Women’s Health – Trying to Conceive (Getting Pregnant)?

I wanted to share my personal story of pregnancy success as my DH and I are ecstatic and we believe completely that a product called Instead Softcup is responsible for our success. I know how many women are struggling with getting pregnant, and if I can offer any hope or ideas of things to try, I just want to put it out there. We are currently 14 weeks pregnant with our second child, due in November 2008. Back in 2004, DH and I had been spoiled when we conceived on the first try (read: Honeymoon) with our now 3 year old DD. When we started trying for #2 last August (07), I think we subconsciously thought – “oh this will be easy.” Well, fast forward nearly 6 months and no positive pregnancy test. We are talking ovulation monitoring, EVERYTHING. Granted, I am now 35 and obviously our lives are a bit more stressful with work, having a toddler, etc. But still, it was becoming frustrating, especially feeling that we were doing everything we could do to “time” things right. Also, we knew in our heads that 5 months wasn’t THAT long a time to try, but as I mentioned, we were eager, and our past experience made us impatient. We were truly becoming burnt out when a friend of mine mentioned that she was working with a company who had a product that had been getting a reputation on blogs and fertility message boards for helping women to conceive. Of course, having serious baby on the brain and desperate to try anything, I went home and Googled it and low and behold, many, many stories on blogs from women who had had success conceiving with the help of the Instead Softcup.

My friend gave me some samples so we thought, what do we have to lose? The next ovulation period, immediately after BD-ing, (meaning I had it on the nightstand ready and inserted it right away), we used Softcup. We used it twice that month and two weeks later, got the wonderful POSITIVE pregnancy test we have been waiting for! Again, I just wanted to share our success in the hopes that it can help other couples struggling to get that positive test themselves. I was lucky to have a friend turn me on to Softcups, but I have found out that they can be purchased at Target, Wal Mart and many other drug stores – they are in the feminine products section, because their intended use is an alternative to tampons (which by the way they are great for too!). Don’t be scared by what they look like – they are easy to use, VERY comfortable and most importantly SAFE (I have researched and gotten inside info from my friend who has insider knowledge because of the work arrangement). Good luck and happy pregnancy vibes!

Contact us:-
Instead, Inc.
4275 Executive Square Ste 440
La Jolla CA 92037-1478
phone: 858.550.1901
fax: 858.550.0199

INSTEAD SCIENCES, INC.Announces Plans For Launch Of MICROBICIDE EXPECTED To Prevention STD’S & HIV

LA JOLLA, CA (March 24, 2008)- Today, Instead Sciences, Inc. announced that its microbicidal personal lubricant, Amphora, which has been cleared as safe for human use by the FDA, has shown promising results in clinical studies to also prevent the contraction of certain sexually transmitted diseases, including HSV (Herpes), gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HIV. In light of the revealing report published earlier this month by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stating that one in four teenagers has a sexually transmitted infection, the announcement of a microbicide which may prevent the spread of these diseases is very encouraging.

“Preventing the spread of STD’s and HIV is unfortunately one of the largest ongoing battles of our time, as is evidenced by last week’s alarming CDC report. With the youth of our country at a greater risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, it is becoming increasingly important for us to develop preventive, over-the-counter products. Fortunately, research is proving this to be a real possibility in the form of topical microbicides,” explains Joseph Pike, President/CEO of Instead Sciences Inc.

Amphora has already been FDA cleared for use in humans as a lubricant, and Instead plans to launch the product later this year. It is, to date, the only microbicidal candidate that has been cleared for this application. The promising results from clinical studies that indicate Amphora may help prevent the spread of STD’s and HIV indicate an even greater health benefit from its use.

According to a study conducted by Mt. Sinai researchers, Amphora has the ability to reduce the infection rate of the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) by 99% after 30 minutes of exposure to the microbicide. Amphora works as a bio-adhesive “acid buffering” gel that coats the vaginal wall and cervix, helping maintain a woman’s natural pH level between 3.8 and 4.2, a level that has been proven in early clinical testing to render sperm immobile and to inactivate most STI-causing organisms, including herpes, Chlamydia, HSV, gonorrhea, and HIV.

In light of the knowledge that many STD’s, including HIV itself, are extremely fragile (effectively killed by lemon juice, saliva, or even exposure to air ), the observations made in the Mt. Sinai study bolster the hypothesis that Amphora will have a similar effect in significantly reducing the infection rate of HIV and other STD’s, as was the case with the HSV testing.

Instead Chairman and former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson asserts, “By getting Amphora into the hands of young women we can begin to offer a means of promoting vaginal health and hopefully preventing infections of STD’s.” Since leaving public office, Thompson has followed the research and development of Instead’s Amphora and intends to participate in the global launch of the microbicide, as well as pursue funding from individuals and organizations that are committed to stopping the spread of HIV and improving reproductive health worldwide.

About Instead Sciences, Inc.

Instead, Inc. provides women with new and different choices for greater freedom and control of their reproductive and sexual health. The San Diego-based company is dedicated to offering women better options in health care segments where their needs are underserved with products that are thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy. Instead has focused research and development efforts on period protection and feminine hygiene, contraception, prevention of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDs, and other conditions where vaginal therapy can be an effective preventative or treatment. More information about Instead and its products is online at www.softcup.com or www.amphoragel.com.

Call us today!!!
Instead, Inc.
4275 Executive Square Ste 440
La Jolla CA 92037-1478
phone: 858.550.1901
fax: 858.550.0199
Toll Free 877.367.9636
customer.service@softcup.com

Tampons, Pads and The Softcup: Menstrual Cup Reaches Milestone in Expanding Choices for Women

La Jolla, Calif. (January 24, 2008) – In 1996, Instead, Inc. pioneered a new alternative to tampons and pads with the development and release of its innovative Softcup. Now in 2008, Instead is proud to announce that it has sold its 100 millionth Softcup.

Originally developed and introduced by a female athlete, for female athletes, the Softcup has gained popularity for its many advantages over traditional methods of feminine protection including greater safety, longer wear-time, and clean sex during “that time of the month.” After hearing numerous accounts of mothers who had successfully become pregnant using the Softcup as an aid to conception, Instead filed for FDA clearance to market and sell the cup for this purpose. Additionally, studies are now being conducted on the use of the Softcup as a cervical barrier along with Instead’s candidate microbicide, Amphora.

“Because the Softcup was uniquely designed for the modern-day woman, it has grown tremendously and developed staying power in the market, proving an excellent alternative to tampons and pads,” said Joseph Pike, CEO of Instead. “Women have embraced the concept of the Softcup because of the greater flexibility and control it gives them over their lives.”  In fact, when the Softcup is not offered somewhere, women seek it out rather than buy the alternatives.

The Softcup is an FDA-approved, disposable menstrual product made from a non-absorbent, nonirritating polyethylene plastic that has been used for over 20 years in medical devices and contains no latex. It has undergone extensive toxicology, biocompatibility and microbiological tests as well as human clinical testing, and contains no drying chemicals or fibers. There is also little to no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, since it collects rather than absorbs flow.

“We continue to hear from women who are just discovering the Softcup, and are clamoring for it, both online and in their local stores,” Pike said. “The Softcup has become mainstream, sitting comfortably next to tampons and pads in local supermarkets and drug stores. We firmly believe that the Softcup has added benefits you can’t find anywhere else. For us, the fact that period products now include tampons, pads and menstrual cups shows the Softcup has expanded choices for women.”

About Instead, Inc.

Instead, Inc. is dedicated to developing and marketing over-the-counter products that focus on women’s sexual health and quality of life. Instead is best known for the Instead® Softcup®, a feminine hygiene product that collects, rather than absorbs, menstrual flow. The Instead Softcup is sold at retail outlets nationwide, including Target, Wal-Mart and Walgreens, as well as select regional drug stores and groceries. The Instead Softcup is also sold online at www.softcup.com.  In addition to the new superior personal lubricant Amphora®, the company currently has under development a vaginal itch cream. Instead is wholly owned by Akcess Pacific Group, a private investment group whose principals have a long history of investing in socially responsible products in the fields of reproductive health.  It is headquartered in San Diego, CA.

For more information about Menstruation Pregnancy Products…. you can visit http://www.softcup.com.

Launch of microbicide expected to AID in the prevention of STD’S and HIV

LA JOLLA, CA (March 24, 2008)- Today, Instead Sciences, Inc. announced that its microbicidal personal lubricant, Amphora, which has been cleared as safe for human use  by  the FDA, has shown promising results in clinical studies to also prevent the contraction of certain sexually transmitted diseases, including HSV (Herpes), gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HIV.  In  light of the revealing report published earlier this month by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stating   that one in four teenagers has a sexually transmitted infection, the announcement of a microbicide which may  prevent the spread of these diseases is very encouraging.

“Preventing the spread of STD’s and HIV is unfortunately one of the largest ongoing battles of our time, as is evidenced by last week’s alarming CDC report.  With the youth of our country at a greater risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, it is becoming increasingly important for us to develop preventive, over-the-counter products. Fortunately, research is proving this to be a real possibility in the form of topical microbicides,” explains Joseph Pike, President/CEO of Instead Sciences Inc.

Amphora has already been FDA cleared for use in humans as a lubricant, and Instead plans to launch the product later this year.  It is, to date, the only microbicidal candidate that has been cleared for this application.  The promising results from clinical studies that indicate Amphora may help prevent the spread of STD’s and HIV indicate an even greater health benefit from its use.

According to a study conducted by Mt. Sinai researchers, Amphora has the ability to reduce the infection rate of the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) by 99% after 30 minutes of exposure to the microbicide.   Amphora works as a bio-adhesive “acid buffering” gel that coats the vaginal wall and cervix, helping maintain a woman’s natural pH level between 3.8 and 4.2, a level that has been proven in early clinical testing to render sperm immobile and to inactivate most STI-causing organisms, including herpes, Chlamydia, HSV, gonorrhea, and HIV.

In light of the knowledge that many STD’s, including HIV itself, are extremely fragile (effectively killed by lemon juice, saliva, or even exposure to air ), the observations made in the Mt. Sinai study bolster the hypothesis that Amphora will have a similar effect in significantly reducing the infection rate of HIV and other STD’s, as was the case with the HSV testing.

Instead Chairman and former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson asserts, “By getting Amphora into the hands of young women we can begin to offer a means of promoting vaginal health and hopefully preventing infections of STD’s.” Since leaving public office, Thompson has followed the research and development of Instead’s Amphora and intends to participate in the global launch of the microbicide, as well as pursue funding from individuals and organizations that are committed to stopping the spread of HIV and improving reproductive health worldwide.

About Instead Sciences, Inc.

Instead, Inc. provides women with new and different choices for greater freedom and control of their reproductive and sexual health. The San Diego-based company is dedicated to offering women better options in health care segments where their needs are underserved with products that are thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy. Instead has focused research and development efforts on period protection and feminine hygiene, contraception, prevention of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDs, and other conditions where vaginal therapy can be an effective preventative or treatment.

More information about Period Protection, Feminine Hygiene you can visit http://www.softcup.com or www.amphoragel.com. Products are online now.