Contraceptive Sponge

Overview

The Today Sponge combines a spermicide with a barrier contraceptive. It offers an immediate and continuous presence of the spermicide nonoxynol-9 throughout a 24-hour period, allowing for as many acts of intercourse as desired within that period without the need for additional spermicide.

Learning to use the Today Sponge has been compared with learning to use contact lenses. With a little practice, insertion and removal become simple procedures. Following these easy steps will ensure proper placement and usage.

Insertion

With clean hands, remove the Today Sponge from its inner package. Holding the sponge in one hand with the dimple (concave) side facing upward, and the loop dangling down, wet the sponge thoroughly with clean tap water. Gently squeeze the sponge to produce suds. This activates the spermicide and facilitates insertion. Do not be concerned about producing too much suds. There is more than enough spermicide in the Today Sponge to provide effective prevention of pregnancy. Fold the sudsy sponge in half--still with the dimple side facing upward--and insert deeply in the vagina, along the back wall to cover the cervix. The dimple should face the cervix, and the loop should face away from the cervix.

Removal

Wait at lease 6 hours after the last act of intercourse before removing the Today Sponge. Put a finger into the vagina and reach upward to find the string loop. Bear down and push the Today Sponge toward the vaginal opening. Hook the finger around the string loop or grasp the Today Sponge between your thumb and forefinger. Slowly and gently withdraw the sponge from the vagina. If the vaginal muscles seem to be holding the sponge tightly, wait a few minutes, then try again. Relax, breathe out slowly while bearing down and remove the Today Sponge.

Facts

Before you use the Today Sponge consider these facts.

- The Today Sponge does not contain hormones and offers a high level of comfort--generally neither partner can feel the sponge during intercourse.
- The Today Sponge is effective immediately after insertion and is easy to buy. They are sold over the counter, without a prescription. There is no special fitting required, and its small size allows a woman to carry it in her purse. It is disposable after each use and is not as messy as other spermicidal products.
- Many teen women have vaginal intercourse only now and then. Many of them prefer to use over-the-counter methods on those occasions, and the Today Sponge offers an alternative to condoms.
- Some women may be allergic to the spermicide, although it is not common.
- It is important to remember that Today Sponge does not protect against HIV/AIDS, although it may provide some protection from other STDs.

Do NOT use Today Sponge during your period; doing so could cause an infection called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is not common, but can occur when the Today Sponge is used during a menstrual cycle. Tell your clinician if you experience any signs of toxic shock syndrome: muscle and joint soreness, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, sudden high fever, vomiting and sunburn-type rash on your face.

The effectiveness for the Today Sponge is reported at 89 to 91 percent--see Today Sponge product labeling. Another measurement of efficacy is the "use-effectiveness" rate, which measures the level of effectiveness that can be expected by a large group of women, some of whom either fail to use the sponge correctly or do not use it every time they have intercourse. The use-effectiveness rate for the sponge is 84 to 87 percent (see Today Sponge product labeling).