To use the contraceptive sponge:
- Remove the sponge from its package. ...
- Insert the contraceptive sponge. ...
- Check the placement of the contraceptive sponge. ...
- Leave the contraceptive sponge in place for at least six hours after sex. ...
- Remove the contraceptive sponge. ...
- Discard the used sponge. ...
When should you remove the contraceptive sponge?
Wait at least 6 hours after the last intercourse before removing sponge. Do not leave sponge in vagina for longer than 30 hours. Leaving the sponge in vagina longer than 30 hours may increase the chances for vaginal irritation and serious infections. Do not re-use the sponge.
What is one main advantage of using the contraceptive sponge?
The sponge protects against pregnancy in three ways:
- The spermicide kills sperm cells for 24 hours. You can have sex during that time without needing more spermicide.
- It’s designed to trap and absorb semen before the sperm have a chance to enter your cervix, which connects the vagina to the uterus.
- It acts as a physical barrier between the sperm and the cervix.
What can you do with a sponge?
Luffa and Flower Arrangements
- Trim the sponge to fit inside your vase and arrange your flower stems inside.
- Remove the leaves that will be under the waterline, as this will keep your water and flowers fresher longer.
- When you are done with your floral arrangement, either compost the whole thing or clean and dry your sponge for another use depending on its condition.
How much does a birth control sponge cost?
They usually come in a pack of three, costing about $15. You may choose any brand, provided it is FDA-approved. Birth control sponges are available in most pharmacies, supermarkets, drug stores, or even online. Few family planning clinics may offer birth control sponges on request.
Do contraceptive sponges still exist?
Where can I buy the sponge? The only contraceptive sponge brand available in the U.S. is called the Today Sponge. You can buy the Today Sponge over-the-counter at pharmacies, drugstores, and some supermarkets and grocery stores. It's also available on the Today Sponge website and other online retailers.
How do you insert a contraceptive sponge?
Before sex, you put some water on the contraceptive sponge, gently squeeze it to activate its spermicide, and then insert it into the vagina. The sponge covers the cervix, held in place by vaginal muscles.
Why did they discontinue the sponge?
PIP: The vaginal sponge, an over-the-counter spermicidal contraceptive, will no longer be available to US women. Whitehall-Robins Healthcare, which began manufacturing the sponge in 1983, has ceased manufacturing this product allegedly because of stringent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements.
What kind of birth control is a sponge?
nonhormonal birth controlThe birth control sponge is a method of nonhormonal birth control. It is round, consists of polyurethane foam, and contains spermicide. A person inserts it into their vagina before sexual activity to prevent pregnancy. They can use the attached fabric loop to remove the sponge after sex.
How do you remove a birth control sponge?
How do I take the sponge out? Slide a clean finger inside your vagina and hook it around the fabric loop on the bottom of the sponge. Then slowly and gently glide the sponge out of your vagina. You can grab the sponge itself to pull it out if you can't find the fabric loop.
What is a disadvantage of using the contraceptive sponge?
What are the disadvantages of the sponge? The sponge doesn't prevent pregnancy as well as IUDs or hormonal forms of birth control. It prevents pregnancy only if you use it every time you have intercourse. The sponge doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as herpes or HIV.
Is the Today Sponge safe?
The Today Sponge is a safe, hormone-free birth control alternative for couples that provides 24hr protection.
How long does the Today Sponge last?
24 hoursProtection begins right away and lasts for 24 hours even with repeated acts of intercourse. However the sponge should remain in place for at least 6 hours after the last act of intercourse, but should not be left in the vagina longer than 30 hours.
How effective is pulling out?
For every 100 people who use the pull out method perfectly, 4 will get pregnant. But pulling out can be difficult to do perfectly. So in real life, about 22 out of 100 people who use withdrawal get pregnant every year — that's about 1 in 5.
How effective is the contraceptive sponge?
So the sponge is realistically 88% effective for women who've never given birth — 12 out of 100 sponge-users who've never given birth will get pregnant within a year. The sponge is 76% effective for women who have given birth — so 24 out of 100 sponge-users who've given birth will get pregnant within a year.
How long can you leave Today Sponge in?
You can put the sponge in up to 24 hours before sex. You're protected from pregnancy right away and it lasts for 24 hours as long as the sponge stays in. You can have sex more than once if you leave the sponge in place for at least 6 hours after your last act of sex.
How do you insert the contraceptive pill today?
Today Vaginal Contraceptive Sponge is inserted through the vaginal opening and placed in the deepest part of the vagina, just below the cervix. The cervix is at the bottom end of the uterus, and has a small opening through which sperm must travel to reach and fertilize the egg.
How do you use a menstrual sponge?
Inserting a menstrual spongeWash your hands.Wet the sponge with water or a little water-based lube.Squeeze out any excess liquid.Get comfy. ... Separate the folds of your labia and push the sponge into your vagina as if you're inserting a tampon.Go do your thing for a few hours!
How effective is a contraceptive sponge?
When is used correctly and consistently, it has about a 9% failure rate or almost 1 in 10. The typical use of the contraceptive sponge refers to the way that most people use it. The failure rate during typical use is approximately 16%. You should take a pregnancy test if you are experiencing any pregnancy symptoms.
What are the side effects or health risks of a contraceptive sponge?
The sponge has been associated with some women experiencing toxic shock syndrome (TSS) – a rare but serious life-threatening bacterial infection. The sponge should not be left inside the vagina for more than 30 hours. The sponge should not be used during menstruation or if you have a history of TSS.
Is a birth control sponge reversible?
Yes. It does not have any effects on either the male’s or female’s reproductive function. Pregnancy is possible when you stop using it.
What about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
It does NOT provide protection against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
What Is the Birth Control Sponge?
The birth control sponge is a small doughnut-shaped device with an indentation in the middle. It’s made of polyurethane foam that is coated with spermicide, a chemical that kills sperm. Women insert it into their vagina before sex to keep a man’s sperm from getting into their uterus and possibly making them pregnant.
How to Use the Birth Control Sponge
You can insert the sponge up to 24 hours before you have sex. To do so:
Birth Control Sponge Effectiveness
Of 100 women who have never had a baby and who use the sponge in a typical year, about 14 will get pregnant. This means it is 86% effective.
Effectiveness
The manufacturer of the Today sponge reports effectiveness for prevention of pregnancy of 89% to 91% when used correctly and consistently. When packaging directions are not followed for every act of intercourse, effectiveness rates of 84% to 87% are reported.
History
The devices have had periods of unavailability in some markets since being introduced. All three brands are currently available outside their normal marketing areas through internet retailers.
Spermicide
Sponges are a physical barrier, trapping sperm and preventing their passage through the cervix into the reproductive system. The spermicide is an important component of pregnancy prevention; each brand offers a different formula.
Side effects
Some people are allergic to the spermicide used in the sponge. Women who use contraceptive sponges have an increased risk of yeast infection and urinary tract infection. Improper use, such as leaving the sponge in too long, can result in toxic shock syndrome .
In popular culture
Shortly after they were taken off the U.S. market, the sponge was featured in an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld titled " The Sponge ". In the episode, Elaine Benes conserves her remaining Today sponges by choosing to not have intercourse unless she is certain her partner is "sponge-worthy".
How to use the sponge?
One of the benefits of the birth control sponge is that it only needs to be used when you have sex, rather than having to take a pill every day or using a long-term contraceptive method. It’s also a non-hormonal type of birth control.
What are the risks of using the birth control sponge?
Just like any other type of medical product, there are certain risks associated with using the birth control sponge. These risks include:
The takeaway
The birth control sponge has both pros and cons, and there are several factors that you need to take into consideration before deciding whether you should use it.
How long can I leave the sponge in?
People can insert the sponge into their vagina up to 24 hours before sex and must leave the sponge in for 6 hours after sex.
Is the contraceptive sponge safe?
The contraceptive sponge is safe for most people to use. However, people who are menstruating, have recently given birth, or have recently had an abortion or miscarriage should not use the sponge.
What is the birth control sponge?
The sponge is a round piece of white plastic foam with a little dimple on one side and a nylon loop across the top that looks like shoelace material. It’s pretty small—just two inches across—and you insert it way up in your vagina before you have sex.
How do you use it?
Here’s the handy thing about the sponge—you can insert it up to 24 hours before you get busy. So there’s no need to fumble in the dark right before the big moment. But it does take a bit of practice getting it in, so follow these instructions.
How much does it cost?
The Sponge may seem pricier than most methods, but there’s a catch: three sponges come in one pack, and one sponge can last you up to 24 hours (no matter how many times you do it).
What are the side effects and benefits?
There are positive and negative things to say about each and every method. And everyone’s different—so what you experience may not be the same as what your friend experiences.
How effective is the sponge at preventing pregnancy?
Like all birth control methods, the sponge is most effective when you use it correctly every time you have sex. If you don’t always follow the directions or if you don’t use a sponge every single time you have sex, it won’t work as well. The sponge is also more effective if you've never given birth.
How can I make the sponge more effective?
Using the sponge correctly every single time you have vaginal sex is the first super-important step. But the best way to increase your pregnancy prevention powers is to use the sponge along with another birth control method.
Does the sponge protect against STDs?
Nope, the sponge does NOT protect against STDs. In fact, the sponge may actually increase your risk for HIV and other STDs. That’s because the spermicide in sponges contains a chemical (called Nonoxynol-9) that can irritate your vagina and make it easier for STD germs to enter your body.
When can I put a sponge in?
The birth control sponge starts working as soon as you activate the spermicide with water and put it in your vagina.
How long do I leave the sponge in?
Always leave the sponge in place for at least 6 hours after sex, but don’t leave the sponge in your vagina for more than 30 hours total. (This means you can safely have sex for up to 24 hours after putting in the sponge, and still leave it in for the required 6 hours after sex.)
How do I take the sponge out?
Slide a clean finger inside your vagina and hook it around the fabric loop on the bottom of the sponge. Then slowly and gently glide the sponge out of your vagina. You can grab the sponge itself to pull it out if you can’t find the fabric loop.
Overview
The contraceptive sponge combines barrier and spermicidal methods to prevent conception.
Three brands are marketed: Pharmatex, Protectaid and Today. Pharmatex is marketed in France and the province of Quebec; Protectaid in the rest of Canada and Europe; and Today in the United States.
Effectiveness
The manufacturer of the Today sponge reports effectiveness for prevention of pregnancy of 89% to 91% when used correctly and consistently. When packaging directions are not followed for every act of intercourse, effectiveness rates of 84% to 87% are reported. Other sources cite poorer effectiveness rates for women who have given birth: 74% during correct and consistent use, and 68% during typical use.
Use
To use the Today sponge, it must be run under water until thoroughly wet with about two tablespoons of water. The water is used as a mechanism to activate the spermicide inside the sponge. No extra spermicide is needed. The Protectaid and Pharmatex sponges come ready to use.
The sponge can be inserted up to 24 hours before intercourse. It must be left in place for at leas…
History
The devices have had periods of unavailability in some markets since being introduced. All three brands are currently available outside their normal marketing areas through internet retailers.
The Today sponge was developed beginning in 1976 and introduced in the United States in 1983. Today was removed from the market in 1994 due to manufacturing problems. Following several delays, the Today brand became available again in Canada in March 2003, and in the U.S. in Sept…
Spermicide
Sponges are a physical barrier, trapping sperm and preventing their passage through the cervix into the reproductive system. The spermicide is an important component of pregnancy prevention; each brand offers a different formula.
The Today sponge contains 1,000 milligrams (mg) of nonoxynol-9. Protectaid contains 5,000 mg of the F-5 gel, with three active ingredients (6.25 mg of nonoxynol-9, 6.25 mg of benzalkonium ch…
Side effects
Some people are allergic to the spermicide used in the sponge. Women who use contraceptive sponges have an increased risk of yeast infection and urinary tract infection. Improper use, such as leaving the sponge in too long, can result in toxic shock syndrome.
The Today sponge contains the spermicide nonoxynol-9, which may contain certain risks for those using the sponge multiple times a day, or for those at risk for HIV. In these cases, nonoxyn…
In popular culture
• Shortly after they were taken off the U.S. market, the sponge was featured in an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld titled "The Sponge". In the episode, Elaine Benes conserves her remaining Today sponges by choosing to not have intercourse unless she is certain her partner is "sponge-worthy". This was later revisited in the series finale when the pharmacist testifies against Elaine and her morality for buying a whole case of the sponges.
External links
• The Contraceptive Sponge – DrDonnica.com
• Contraceptive Sponges (Today / Protectaid / Pharmatex) – FAQ thread on Ovusoft.com message boards