Using Today Sponge

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2004
Using Today Sponge
2
Sat, 10-30-2004 - 4:55am
My bf & I are in a long distance relationship. As we do not spend long period of time together, I have been using the abstinance method. If we happen to meet during the high risk period, we stay away from penetration & use alternative pleasure methods. My period is very accurate & I have high awareness of the high risk period, so this arrangement has been good for us so far.

Now that we are going to move in together, I am considering using some form of birth control. I guess I just want to feel more secure now that we are going to have more activities.

My bf is my first sexual partner, so I'm totally new to birth control methods. But I've been reading alot recently & found Today Sponge to be a nice option for me. But my concern is whether spermicide will have side effects when used over an extended time. Will it alter the vaginal hygiene e.g. ph level, urinary tract infection? I have written to Today Sponge & they replied saying there is no record showing any side effects for wearing the Sponge over an extended period of time, that is everyday except period days. But I still prefer to hear some real life experience from current or pass users. Is there any girls here who have used the sponge & would like to share your experience of using the Sponge, the good & the bad ones, the pros & cons? It would be great to hear them.

Thanks for sharing.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Sat, 10-30-2004 - 11:52am
I used them when they were being sold in the US years ago. They're pretty easy, you just insert them and leave them for hours. However, I can't say I recommend them for a variety of reasons. If you're living in the US, then you have to buy them from Canada, and they cost about $3 each. If you're in Canada, then I'm sure they're much cheaper.

Your concern about the spermicide is a valid one. Many people have problems with spermicide. If it's strong enough to be highly effective, then it is very apt to cause irritation. That would be more likely for you since you'd have them inside so long, but can also happen to your boyfriend.

I don't know how much you want to avoid pregnancy, but they have a failure rate of around 20% for typical use, or 9% for perfect use. That's not real dependable. You might want to discuss with options with a doctor before relying solely on these. Even if you want to entirely avoid hormonal methods, you can do better with a diaphram, those have a 6% failure rate for perfect use, and you only have to pay for it one time instead of $3 every time you have sex.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 10-30-2004 - 12:26pm
Hi jenjerdear, welcome!

I have used the sponge but only for a few wearings to see if I liked it. I had a friend who got pg while using a sponge which was a big turn-off for me. I think there are probably very few members who have worn it continuously as you propose doing. The sponge is primarily a spermicide delivery device. It seems to me that the most likely side effect (if any) would be sensitivity to the spermicide, Nonoxynol-9, in Today. I think the sponge would be about as effective (85%) as most spermicides. The sponge isn’t listed by itself in the most recent methods pro and con and effectiveness information on the Planned Parenthood site. See: Contraceptive choices: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/cchoices.html and, Method effectiveness: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/bcfacts2.html

If you are looking for a very effective low maintenance method you might want to consider NuvaRing http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp NuvaRing a 2 inch flexible ring is worn in the vagina for three weeks and removed for one for your period. It slowly releases a very low and uniform dose of hormones, the lowest available (15mcg of estrogen) in the U.S. and most members posting here seem to like it. I hope other members who have used the sponge will post their experiences. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill