Today Sponge

What Is the Today Sponge?

The sponge is a small, round, soft piece of foam made out of polyurethane (a type of plastic). It contains the contraceptive foam nonoxynol-9, which kills sperm. A small amount of water is added to the sponge to make the contraceptive foam work.

The sponge covers your cervix (opening of the uterus) and helps stop sperm from meeting with an egg. The sponge also works by killing sperm. You should be able to walk around with the sponge in place and not feel it. It should not bother you or your partner during intercourse.

The sponge can be purchased at clinics, pharmacies, and supermarkets. It does not protect against HIV or other STDs. If you are having sex with someone who might give you an STD, use a condom.

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Effectiveness

Perfect user: A person that uses their method of pregnancy prevention correctly all of the time.

Typical user: A person who does not use their method of pregnancy prevention correctly.

With perfect use, the sponge is 91% effective.

This means that if 100 women use the sponge exactly the right way every time they have sex, 9 women out of the group may get pregnant in 1 year.

With typical use, the sponge is 84% effective.

For women who don't use the sponge the right way every time they have sex, 16 women out of 100 may get pregnant in 1 year.

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Advantages

  • The sponge causes few health problems.
  • The sponge works well to prevent pregnancy.
  • The sponge is comfortable and you should not feel it when you are using it.
  • You only need to use the sponge when you have sex.
  • Once the sponge is in, you can have sex as many times as you want for up to 24 hours.
  • The sponge should not bother the man during sex, though occasionally a man can be allergic to the spermicide in the sponge.

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Possible Side Effects

  • Allergy to the contraceptive foam.
  • Toxic Shock Syndrome (see below, Possible Warning Signs)

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Possible Warning Signs

Toxic Shock Syndrome can be a serious health problem that comes from a bacteria that grows in the sponge if it is kept in place for more than 24 hours. This is why it is important to remember to remove it within 24 hours.

Rarely does a woman get TSS if she wears the sponge for less than 24 hours, but it is possible. If you ever experience the warning signs of TSS listed below, take out the sponge right away and go to your clinician or an emergency room.

Toxic Shock Syndrome Warning Signs

  • Sudden high fever
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Feeling dizzy, faint or weak
  • Sore throat
  • Aching muscles and joints
  • A rash that looks like a sunburn

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Important Warning

Though the sponge is very safe, the spermicide used along with a sponge may not be safe for people who have sex with multiple partners.

Spermicide may cause changes in the vagina and anal area that make it easier to get HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If you have more than one partner, or your partner has more than one partner, it is better not to use spermicide.

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To Learn More

To learn more about the sponge, go to:

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