Beanplating the Today Sponge birth control method
January 14, 2010 11:56 AM Subscribe
Does anyone have experience using the Today Sponge contraceptive?
After several clean STD tests, general frustration with condoms and hours of internet research, I've decided to try using the Today Sponge. I understand I may be lucky that they're available in my area. I'm hoping someone here can give personal experience and calm some of my concerns.
I know this product was taken off the market in the U.S. for some time. Was this a safety/reliability issue? If so, has the product been improved/fixed?
Have you had any problems with insertion or removal? I naturally lubricate well enough for condoms; will the sponge effect that, should I have lube handy just in case? Can he feel it when he's inside me? Is there a chance he could move it out of place or it could somehow become less reliable during the act? Is oral-sex out of the question while using the sponge, meaning, will he be repulsed by the taste? Also, from research, this seems less messy than spermicidal foams and the like; am I deluding myself here?
My main concern, of course, is pregnancy. I absolutely cannot tolerate hormonal birth control, and after countless trials of different brands of condoms, my partner and I are not satisfied. Knowing these are the two most reliable methods of pregnancy-prevention, the idea of trying something *new* makes me quite nervous.
Many thanks in advance for any help in making me more comfortable with this decision. Throw away email: newspongeuser@gmail.com
After several clean STD tests, general frustration with condoms and hours of internet research, I've decided to try using the Today Sponge. I understand I may be lucky that they're available in my area. I'm hoping someone here can give personal experience and calm some of my concerns.
I know this product was taken off the market in the U.S. for some time. Was this a safety/reliability issue? If so, has the product been improved/fixed?
Have you had any problems with insertion or removal? I naturally lubricate well enough for condoms; will the sponge effect that, should I have lube handy just in case? Can he feel it when he's inside me? Is there a chance he could move it out of place or it could somehow become less reliable during the act? Is oral-sex out of the question while using the sponge, meaning, will he be repulsed by the taste? Also, from research, this seems less messy than spermicidal foams and the like; am I deluding myself here?
My main concern, of course, is pregnancy. I absolutely cannot tolerate hormonal birth control, and after countless trials of different brands of condoms, my partner and I are not satisfied. Knowing these are the two most reliable methods of pregnancy-prevention, the idea of trying something *new* makes me quite nervous.
Many thanks in advance for any help in making me more comfortable with this decision. Throw away email: newspongeuser@gmail.com
as an addendum, have you considered using a diaphragm?
posted by nadawi at 12:00 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by nadawi at 12:00 PM on January 14, 2010
I used it and it worked pretty well until it started giving me recurrent yeast infections. I recommend the diaphragm instead, although it's a lot more difficult to insert.
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:07 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:07 PM on January 14, 2010
I know this product was taken off the market in the U.S. for some time. Was this a safety/reliability issue? If so, has the product been improved/fixed?
According to wikipedia, the sponge was discontinued due to factory compliance issues, not safety issues. Likewise according to wikipedia, the sponge has about a 90% effectiveness rating for the first year.
I looked into the sponge when I went off the pill, but according to their website, you can't use if it you're allergic to sulfa drugs, which I am, which was a bummer.
If the effectiveness rate isn't good enough for you, have you considered a non-hormonal IUD?
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 12:12 PM on January 14, 2010
According to wikipedia, the sponge was discontinued due to factory compliance issues, not safety issues. Likewise according to wikipedia, the sponge has about a 90% effectiveness rating for the first year.
I looked into the sponge when I went off the pill, but according to their website, you can't use if it you're allergic to sulfa drugs, which I am, which was a bummer.
If the effectiveness rate isn't good enough for you, have you considered a non-hormonal IUD?
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 12:12 PM on January 14, 2010
I used it for a while before it went off the market. After it was in, I don't recall feeling it at all, and I don't recall my partner feeling it (if he did, it was just barely).
As for the rest -- unfortunately it was too long ago for me to recall. But I don't recall ever having a problem with either of us feeling it.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:13 PM on January 14, 2010
As for the rest -- unfortunately it was too long ago for me to recall. But I don't recall ever having a problem with either of us feeling it.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:13 PM on January 14, 2010
Oh and to more specifically answer your questions, I should add that the sponge is very easy to insert and usually easy to remove, although sometimes you really have to tug a bit, but it's no worse than a wedged tampon. IIRC (my experience is about 20 years out of date) you have to leave the sponge in for a certain amount of time after intercourse. That would be okay, but if you then fall asleep and it stays in too long, well, first off it gets smelly and then secondly, see my first comment re yeast infections. I never needed lube with the sponge; actually, it sort of helps all that along. I also never had a guy tell me he could feel it. I don't remember any adverse comments on the taste, but fyi that can be a problem with the spermicidal gel and diaphragm combo. It is less messy than the foams. Good luck! I would have continued using them probably if they hadn't gone off the market, despite the yeast infections. I switched to a diaphragm for what it's worth and once I'd really figured that out I'd never go back.
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:13 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:13 PM on January 14, 2010
If you're not planning to have kids in the near future (next couple of years), you may want to look into a copper IUD. It's non-hormonal and have failure rates comparable to the pill.
posted by decathecting at 12:17 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by decathecting at 12:17 PM on January 14, 2010
The failure rate for the contraceptive sponge is pretty high. The typical rate of pregnancy for women who've never had a child is 16% per year (if the sponge gets knocked a bit sideways and you don't realize it, that counts as not using it perfectly). The failure rate goes up to 20% to 32% per year for women who've had a child.
I wouldn't consider it except in combination with another form of contraception, such as condoms, or unless it's not that big a deal if you get pregnant while using it.
posted by Ery at 12:20 PM on January 14, 2010
I wouldn't consider it except in combination with another form of contraception, such as condoms, or unless it's not that big a deal if you get pregnant while using it.
posted by Ery at 12:20 PM on January 14, 2010
I used it for years and was very happy with it. I have had them invert during sex, which makes them an utter pain to get out. But I never felt that came with an increased pregnancy risk - it's like rotating a sponge in a test tube; the sponge always touches all the sides of the glass.
Oral sex is fine; just leave some time between insertion and the oyster course. There is a very faint taste but it isn't chemically; you are correct that it is tidier than spermicide and it isn't drippy after the initial... flush.
It was only removed because, if I recall correctly, the plant failed a new FDA standard relating to water purity in the plant itself and took a long time to rectify them - the costs involves were huge. I remember reading up on it at the time, deciding I was not concerned, and buying mine online instead.
If getting pregnant would be an absolute catastrophe, however, I might consider combining the sponge with charting.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:20 PM on January 14, 2010
Oral sex is fine; just leave some time between insertion and the oyster course. There is a very faint taste but it isn't chemically; you are correct that it is tidier than spermicide and it isn't drippy after the initial... flush.
It was only removed because, if I recall correctly, the plant failed a new FDA standard relating to water purity in the plant itself and took a long time to rectify them - the costs involves were huge. I remember reading up on it at the time, deciding I was not concerned, and buying mine online instead.
If getting pregnant would be an absolute catastrophe, however, I might consider combining the sponge with charting.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:20 PM on January 14, 2010
I don't understand the warning about not using the Today sponge if you're allergic to sulfa antibiotics. I'm allergic to sulfa antibiotics, but I don't have any problems drinking wine that contains a whole lot more metabisulfite in it than the Today sponge has. The problem with a sulfa antibiotic allergy is unrelated to bisulfites. Sulfonamides are not the same thing as metabisulfite.
posted by Ery at 12:27 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by Ery at 12:27 PM on January 14, 2010
More anecdotal evidence. In my college/young adult years (ie: its first release) I knew four women who had unplanned pregnancies, the only unplanned pregnancies in my peer group that I was aware of. All four women had been using the sponge at the time.
posted by anastasiav at 12:33 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by anastasiav at 12:33 PM on January 14, 2010
No problems with insertion/removal but I did get very nauseous on it. Took it out, nausea stopped.
posted by stormpooper at 1:49 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by stormpooper at 1:49 PM on January 14, 2010
Nthing yeast issues with the 1st-generation sponges. Have not tried them since they came back on the market.
posted by scratch at 1:50 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by scratch at 1:50 PM on January 14, 2010
I used them when I lived in Canada and repeatedly got terrible yeast infections - very bad ones where over the counter medicine wouldn't work and I had to get prescription pills. After stopping sponge use, no more yeast infections at all.
posted by Melsky at 3:46 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by Melsky at 3:46 PM on January 14, 2010
A lot of the unplanned pregnancies I know of happened with the sponge (with the spermicidal foam) or a diaphragm. Nthing that you might want to look into a non-hormonal IUD an option.
posted by ishotjr at 3:58 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by ishotjr at 3:58 PM on January 14, 2010
From a birth control perspective: you could try combining it with Fertility Awareness techniques. So basically, you could use it during the times when you're less fertile, but still not entirely comfortable relying solely on fertility awareness methods to prevent pregnancy. (And then when you're more fertile, you could use condoms or another method that you're more comfortable with.)
posted by sentient at 4:23 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by sentient at 4:23 PM on January 14, 2010
I used the sponge for awhile in... 2006 and 2007 I think.
I liked them, and they were only a pain to get out occasionally. I'd recommend keeping a crochet hook around to *extremely gently and carefully* use to grab the loop if needed (I never had to resort to this, but having a backup plan eased my anxiety somewhat). Never had a yeast infection, and my boyfriend said he could not feel it. When I had a UTI and went to Planned Parenthood, they asked me what birth control I used and I said "the sponge" and the lady was shocked and amazed. "They sell those now?". I thought it was kind of odd that they didn't know about the availability.
I also can't do the hormonal birth control, and when the sponges disappeared from stores I went and got a diaphragm. Dealing with the spermicide with the diaphragm was grosser than dealing with the sponge (somehow some would always end up on my hand, and I just found it to be really nasty stuff).
After awhile of using the diaphragm, sponges started appearing in the stores again, but by that time I just decided to keep using the diaphragm.
I didn't get pregnant on either, but I suspect I have a very low background level of fertility, so that's not really saying much.
I finally just went with a tubal ligation, and it went very smoothly and I am glad not to have to worry about it anymore at all.
posted by marble at 5:31 PM on January 14, 2010
I liked them, and they were only a pain to get out occasionally. I'd recommend keeping a crochet hook around to *extremely gently and carefully* use to grab the loop if needed (I never had to resort to this, but having a backup plan eased my anxiety somewhat). Never had a yeast infection, and my boyfriend said he could not feel it. When I had a UTI and went to Planned Parenthood, they asked me what birth control I used and I said "the sponge" and the lady was shocked and amazed. "They sell those now?". I thought it was kind of odd that they didn't know about the availability.
I also can't do the hormonal birth control, and when the sponges disappeared from stores I went and got a diaphragm. Dealing with the spermicide with the diaphragm was grosser than dealing with the sponge (somehow some would always end up on my hand, and I just found it to be really nasty stuff).
After awhile of using the diaphragm, sponges started appearing in the stores again, but by that time I just decided to keep using the diaphragm.
I didn't get pregnant on either, but I suspect I have a very low background level of fertility, so that's not really saying much.
I finally just went with a tubal ligation, and it went very smoothly and I am glad not to have to worry about it anymore at all.
posted by marble at 5:31 PM on January 14, 2010
The sponge has been back on the market in the U.S. for several months now. You can buy them online here, and that's probably the cheapest price you'll be able to find for them anywhere.
If you are extremely concerned about pregnancy, the sponge alone is probably not your best bet. It only has about 90% maximum effectiveness.
It is very easy to use, though, if it doesn't give you yeast infections. I had no trouble inserting or removing it. Oral sex is pretty much out of the question unless the guy doesn't mind a weird taste and/or some numbness (yes, numbness).
In my experience, it was not messy except during insertion. No problem during sex.
You have to interrupt foreplay to insert the sponge, if that's a concern to you. Or, you can insert it ahead of time, but then you have to kind of plan for when you're going to have sex, because if you don't have sex within 24 hours of inserting the sponge, that's a $5 sponge you just wasted.
I eventually stopped using the sponge after a few weeks and got a copper IUD instead. I'm much happier with it and I highly, highly recommend the IUD over the sponge if you are medically able to have one.
posted by Lobster Garden at 5:31 PM on January 14, 2010
If you are extremely concerned about pregnancy, the sponge alone is probably not your best bet. It only has about 90% maximum effectiveness.
It is very easy to use, though, if it doesn't give you yeast infections. I had no trouble inserting or removing it. Oral sex is pretty much out of the question unless the guy doesn't mind a weird taste and/or some numbness (yes, numbness).
In my experience, it was not messy except during insertion. No problem during sex.
You have to interrupt foreplay to insert the sponge, if that's a concern to you. Or, you can insert it ahead of time, but then you have to kind of plan for when you're going to have sex, because if you don't have sex within 24 hours of inserting the sponge, that's a $5 sponge you just wasted.
I eventually stopped using the sponge after a few weeks and got a copper IUD instead. I'm much happier with it and I highly, highly recommend the IUD over the sponge if you are medically able to have one.
posted by Lobster Garden at 5:31 PM on January 14, 2010
I used it maybe a half-dozen times, and was quite happy. Stopped only because it was expensive, wherease birth control pills were covered under my medical plan.
I found it very easy to insert, and it goes far enough in that nobody should feel it during sex. The only downside was the smell afterwards...yuck! But it's not like your partner will be around when you remove it, so at least it's not embarrassing.
I never had problems with nausea or yeast infections, but again, only used it sporadically.
posted by Pomo at 5:34 PM on January 14, 2010
I found it very easy to insert, and it goes far enough in that nobody should feel it during sex. The only downside was the smell afterwards...yuck! But it's not like your partner will be around when you remove it, so at least it's not embarrassing.
I never had problems with nausea or yeast infections, but again, only used it sporadically.
posted by Pomo at 5:34 PM on January 14, 2010
I used it extensively before it went off the market and again after. I also cannot tolerate any form of hormonal birth control and dislike condoms intensely.
My only problems:
1. I almost always had to have my boyfriend take it out since I have small hands and couldn't quite reach up to get the string. He didn't mind, but your YMMV.
2. I couldn't use it every day because you have to leave it in for a number of hours (4-6?) afterward to ensure effectiveness and my body needed more than 24 hours to adequately flush out all the goo. So, if you're an everyday sexytimes kind of person that might be an issue.
3. Re: oral sex, my boyfriend did not like the effect the sponge had on, er, his enjoyment of that process -- he said it tasted weird and made his mouth numb. That didn't really seem to be that big of a deal, however -- I'd just put it in before intercourse and voila!
I never had a yeast infection with it, nor any other problems (including, thankfully, pregnancy!)
I've also used a diaphragm (pain to put in/take out, I found the sponge far quicker to deal with so the interruption factor wasn't really an issue), a cervical cap (same issues as with diaphragm) and a copper IUD. I HATED the IUD -- I felt an almost constant ache with it in, and my boyfriend said he could feel something hard inside of me as well. But, I also have never had children and I know it's recommended more for women who have given birth so...
posted by hapax_legomenon at 5:53 PM on January 14, 2010
My only problems:
1. I almost always had to have my boyfriend take it out since I have small hands and couldn't quite reach up to get the string. He didn't mind, but your YMMV.
2. I couldn't use it every day because you have to leave it in for a number of hours (4-6?) afterward to ensure effectiveness and my body needed more than 24 hours to adequately flush out all the goo. So, if you're an everyday sexytimes kind of person that might be an issue.
3. Re: oral sex, my boyfriend did not like the effect the sponge had on, er, his enjoyment of that process -- he said it tasted weird and made his mouth numb. That didn't really seem to be that big of a deal, however -- I'd just put it in before intercourse and voila!
I never had a yeast infection with it, nor any other problems (including, thankfully, pregnancy!)
I've also used a diaphragm (pain to put in/take out, I found the sponge far quicker to deal with so the interruption factor wasn't really an issue), a cervical cap (same issues as with diaphragm) and a copper IUD. I HATED the IUD -- I felt an almost constant ache with it in, and my boyfriend said he could feel something hard inside of me as well. But, I also have never had children and I know it's recommended more for women who have given birth so...
posted by hapax_legomenon at 5:53 PM on January 14, 2010
It's been a great many years, but at one time I did have a partner who used a sponge once or twice. Things I recall about it:
No effect on viscosity at all whatsoever, nope, no siree, not a bit. The flavor was detectable but not unbearably offputting; the numbness effect mentioned a couple of times above was not present. The flavor wouldn't ward me off but I'd call it "not at all preferred." Yes, it was juuuust possible to feel it in place, but the thing is soft and because it didn't have the sensation-deadening effects of a condom it was tremendously more enjoyable by comparison even with, uh, poking it.
posted by majick at 6:39 PM on January 14, 2010
No effect on viscosity at all whatsoever, nope, no siree, not a bit. The flavor was detectable but not unbearably offputting; the numbness effect mentioned a couple of times above was not present. The flavor wouldn't ward me off but I'd call it "not at all preferred." Yes, it was juuuust possible to feel it in place, but the thing is soft and because it didn't have the sensation-deadening effects of a condom it was tremendously more enjoyable by comparison even with, uh, poking it.
posted by majick at 6:39 PM on January 14, 2010
That's what I was using last time I got pregnant.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:43 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:43 PM on January 14, 2010
I remember it being very easy to use/insert/remove. BUT I also got pregnant while using it, and yes I did follow the directions to the letter. Don't use it as a primary form of birth control if it is critical you not get pregnant.
posted by 8dot3 at 7:28 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by 8dot3 at 7:28 PM on January 14, 2010
I have never used a sponge, but I will report that I did some 5+ years with a diaphram and not one pregnancy scare. Diaphrams are not hard to insert; in the process, you will get to know your way around your own insides (which isn't a bad thing for anyone). They are also reusable for years -- which is good for the environment and your pocket book (no worrying about "wasted" insertions). You must use spermicidal jelly, but it's also a good lube -- and the other downside is that it may block your g-spot. But the up-side is that you can have sex anytime of the month.
For longer term birth control (5+ years), IUDs can be excellent. IUDs without hormones can hurt, but hormonal IUDs don't tend to and they have a fraction of the hormones that pills do, and don't have the same mood/sex drive/etc. effects.
posted by jb at 11:06 PM on January 14, 2010
For longer term birth control (5+ years), IUDs can be excellent. IUDs without hormones can hurt, but hormonal IUDs don't tend to and they have a fraction of the hormones that pills do, and don't have the same mood/sex drive/etc. effects.
posted by jb at 11:06 PM on January 14, 2010
Spermicidal jelly is no grosser to the touch than the stuff it's supposed to -cidal.
posted by jb at 11:10 PM on January 14, 2010
posted by jb at 11:10 PM on January 14, 2010
Well, two things:
First, I am a diaphragm baby, so just because other people here didn't get pregnant using one, some people do.
Second, I used sponges twice when they first came out, and both times I ended up with not a yeast infection but with a cervical infection (and my pap smear had come out perfectly normal shortly before I tried it, so it wasn't anything pre-existing as far as I know).
However, I decided to try them again when they were re-released (after a miserable, painful year with the copper IUD) and found them to work wonderfully. No infections of any kind, no problems with removal, my partner couldn't feel it during sex.
I'm with others though. Despite my terrible experience I recommend the non-hormonal copper IUD if it works for you. From my research online, it seems like the vast majority of women who get one inserted do not have the troubles I had. And, depending on how often you have sex, it is way more cost-effective than the sponge.
posted by Brody's chum at 12:23 PM on January 15, 2010
First, I am a diaphragm baby, so just because other people here didn't get pregnant using one, some people do.
Second, I used sponges twice when they first came out, and both times I ended up with not a yeast infection but with a cervical infection (and my pap smear had come out perfectly normal shortly before I tried it, so it wasn't anything pre-existing as far as I know).
However, I decided to try them again when they were re-released (after a miserable, painful year with the copper IUD) and found them to work wonderfully. No infections of any kind, no problems with removal, my partner couldn't feel it during sex.
I'm with others though. Despite my terrible experience I recommend the non-hormonal copper IUD if it works for you. From my research online, it seems like the vast majority of women who get one inserted do not have the troubles I had. And, depending on how often you have sex, it is way more cost-effective than the sponge.
posted by Brody's chum at 12:23 PM on January 15, 2010
I liked the sponge just fine; when I couldn't find it anymore, I started using the vaginal contraceptive films, and I much, much preferred them. No mess, no drippy, the only downside is having to put it in 15 minutes (or ten?) before sex.
posted by lemniskate at 12:43 PM on January 15, 2010
posted by lemniskate at 12:43 PM on January 15, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by nadawi at 11:58 AM on January 14, 2010