does the contraceptive sponge have a flavor?

May 11, 2008 4:32 PM

Has anyone used the Today sponge (or another contraceptive sponge) and found that their partner noticed a different *taste*? I'm wondering if the spermicide will alter one's natural flavor.
posted by anonymous to Human Relations (10 answers total)

Definitely. All oral is forgone when using the sponge.
posted by sunshinesky at 5:01 PM on May 11, 2008

When using any kind of chemically based vaginal contraceptive, really. Even just the insertable films. Blech. -spit, spit-
posted by GardenGal at 5:46 PM on May 11, 2008

It seriously depends on your body chemistry and your partner's... tastes, for lack of a better word. I used the sponge for years and never had a complaint from the local diners, but clearly YMMV.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:23 PM on May 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

Yes - a bit "chemically" if I recall the exact words.
posted by tristeza at 10:27 PM on May 11, 2008

PS - not so much that it mattered to him, by the way.
posted by tristeza at 10:28 PM on May 11, 2008

Yes. Strangely metallic taste/feel, almost numbing. Not offensive, but also not quite right.
posted by toxic at 11:31 PM on May 11, 2008

I certainly know that spermicidal condoms have an unpleasant taste (tingly and bitter I've been told). Certainly performing oral sex after intercourse with spermicidal condoms I've tasted it, and that would only be a small amount really, compared to what I'd imagine a sponge would have.
posted by sycophant at 1:48 AM on May 12, 2008

Definitely--I've experienced the numbing sensation. Blech.
posted by MrMoonPie at 6:57 AM on May 12, 2008

It's been a long time so perhaps formulations have changed, but I found it not tasty at all, however ignorable for the greater good.
posted by majick at 7:08 AM on May 12, 2008

I wondered the same thing a long time ago and called the company who makes them. They said no, it does not have a taste. Boyfriend and I used them briefly a few months ago and I just asked him the same question. He said he doesn't recall it passing any flavor on to me. There were many years in between the time I used them but, apparently, neither formulation haz flavur.
posted by _Mona_ at 12:47 PM on May 12, 2008