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Rave/discussion about Contraceptive Sponges
Since BC get discussed a lot on this board and since not many people seem to have used sponges, I thought I would start a new thread to discuss.
I've been the Today Sponge by Mayer for a little over a year now, since it came back on the market in the US. Amazon, CVS and Walgreens all have them online. I've yet to see them in stores.
They are more expensive than condoms, a 3 pack is about 16$ or so. (Much cheaper than an unintended pregnancy, but I thought I would mention that.) CVS sometimes runs specials and promos, though, so I stock up then.
Obviously, everyone is different, but here is my experience. I was looking to take a break for BCP for a medical reason (long irrelevant story) and I hate condoms, which we used for a while.
Nonoxynol 9, the spermicide used in condoms is sometimes irritating to me. The sponge also contains N9, but I don't find that irritating, perhaps because of the way the sponge fits in your body.
Insertion is about as easy as a tampon. You put some water on the concave part of the sponge (picture included in the box) and squeeze it together to create a sudsy foam. Fold it in half, insert it as you would a tampon and push it up to the base of your cervix. Once it bumps against your cervix, you can gently unfold it, concave portion up. A small string on the bottom allows you to remove it easily. I usually tuck the string out of the way.
Each sponge can be used for 24 hours of sexy time. You need 6 hours of no sex afterward, before removing it. Protection is immediate after insertion, no waiting, hence you can be a bit more spontaneous, which is nice. I don't remember the exact failure rates, but I remember it being similar to condoms.
DH can barely feel the sponge, although the string was in a weird spot once and we needed to stop and adjust it. I can barely feel it, either and tend not to think about it after the first minute or so.
Downside is that it can't be used while on your period, for toxic shock sydrome reasons. Overall, much, much more comfortable than condoms.
Any questions I can answer? HTH a few ladies out.
Re: Rave/discussion about Contraceptive Sponges
They were slightly more expensive initially, but they've come down to the price I listed above.
I'd recommend being creative with sexytime scheduling, if that worked out. For instance, have sex multiple times with a 24 hour window, which is specifically listed in the product instructions as being ok, then the required 6 hours of abstinence. If you have sex everyday, do some alternative type of sex the next time, such as oral or manual/masturbation that doesn't require BC. Then, you could spread the cost out some.
Of course, it's all still cheaper than an unintended pregnancy.
I tried them a couple of years ago when they came back out on the market (found them at Target) and I think I paid about $8 for a 3 pk.
I think they may have caused a yeast infection. I only tried it once and after getting the YI I was afraid to try them again!
That sucks, martini
I would be hesitant to try them again, too, if that had happened to me.
Sue - there should be no perceivable taste. I think you are good to go.
The sponge is back? Again? This is the best news I've had all month. I will pay ANY PRICE for such an effective, non-hormonal, non-permanent, easy to use, all around awesome BC option!!!! Thanks for the heads up!
FWIW... we did that once and it got too saturated and slipped out. I did not get knocked up, but that may have been just a lucky miss. I don't trust the sponge alone anymore, but that's just me. It is a nice alternative to a diaphragm if you don't want to get fitted by a doctor and don't mind the cost.