What is/was the Today's sponge

[MagicEnigma]

OK, I've seen the Sienfield episode. I've been reading about it all week. But it was off the market a long time before I got around to needing something like it.

What was/is the Today's Sponge? How does it work, whats anybody's experience with it?

[drBob_01]

Hi, Magic. The Today Sponge was released about 10 years ago, and was on the market about 2-3 years. It wasn't a big seller, so the company stopped making it. I also saw on the news today, that another company picked up the rights, and will start manufacuring them. Our local Minneapolis station said something about being available only over the internet for a year, but didn't elaborate.
The today sponge is a female contraceptive with effectiveness about 90%. Similar to a diaphram. it is about 1" ( or 3 cm) in diameter and is a soft white sponge contianing spermacide. It has a little cloth band to pull it out of the vagina after use. Unlike the diaphram it can be inserted anytime up to 24 hours before use. I can't remember how long it should stay in after intercourse. Being a soft sponge, it's comfortable. I hope this answers some of your questions. Sorry I didn't get to answere while you were still online.
DrBob
bob4friend@netscape.net

[Ashley]

I used to use it and I liked it very much. I believe it was taken off the market when we were having the scares with toxic shock syndrome.

[lovers]

It can be purchased online at any of the following sites:

www.birthcontrol.com
www.babytech.com
www.only-in-canada.com
www.erikasontwelfth.com

The key advantages are:


- Today Sponge does not contain hormones. The active ingredient and spermicide, nonoxynol-9, has been available for 35 years and has been safely used by millions of women.

- Today Sponge is made of soft polyurethane foam that mimics the feel of vaginal tissue. There is no special fitting required to use this product and it is extremely comfortable, generally being undetectable by either partner during intercourse

- Nonoxynol-9 is released immediately upon insertion of Today Sponge and is continuously present for 24 hours. This allows for as many acts of intercourse as desired within the 24 hour period, without the need to add spermicide. No mess...just complete spontaneity.

- The method-effectiveness for Today Sponge, which was derived from a controlled worldwide clinical study, is 89% to 91%

- Its minimal packaging and size allows a woman to carry it discretely in her purse and it is completely disposable after use.

- Unlike the pill, Today Sponge is used only when needed.

- Today Sponge can be sold without a physician's prescription.


Hope that helps.

[JustAskJulie]

Here's one of the many news articles on the Sponge

Today's Sponge Contraceptive returns to stores

[b smith]

A previous partner of mine tried the Today Sponge while we were togather. In my opinion, I am glad it never became an accepted method of protection. The advantages were it acted similar to the diaphragm as a method, insertion could be several hours before intercourse and it contained a spermacide. Another advantage was it readily available and it did not require a doctor's visit. The expense was comparable to other forms available over the counter such as condoms but it does take a bit of practice in getting it to work. It does, however, have big drawbacks. One of them from my understanding was a high failure rate especially for those whom started using it as their only methond but the failure rate, from my understanding, decreased as experience with the product increased. Also once used it had to be removed, and from experience was not always that easy to remove.

Speaking from experience, the sponge is something I would not recommend to anyone and strongly discourage anyone from considering using it as a viable method. If someone was considering using the sponge, I would highly encourage you to use another method along with it ( e.g. condom), especially when first starting out. Under no circumstance would I recommend using as your only method.

[JustAskJulie]

Another article on the return of the Today Sponge. It seems that since they have been made available for sale in Canada now that the women here in the states are going crazy trying to get them online and have even crashed a server or two with overload orders.

Today Sponge Online buying Frenzy

Is this really something new? My girlfriend in high school used a contraceptive sponge the first time we had sex...she sneaked it out of her mom's supply. This was ...umm...21 years ago (cant believe im that old now)

[Nymph an' Satyr]

Yea, 21 years ago is about right. Getting old

We liked it a lot. Of course it does jack for STDs.

[LadyDiamond]

Originally posted by lovers
It can be purchased online at any of the following sites:

www.birthcontrol.com
www.babytech.com
www.only-in-canada.com
www.erikasontwelfth.com

.

Thanks so much for the links. I've been looking for these. The pill is okay but makes me moody I don't like the added hormones. I might have to get some and try them. See if I like it

[MIbbwcpl]

Hmm..I had heard it got yanked from the market because it had a high rate of causing Toxic Shock Syndrome. Other than that, it sounds like a decent method.

You could also try the vaginal spermicide films-no taste or odor involved and very easy to insert.

[WildFlower]

I used the sponge with condoms way back when. I liked it because you could put in if you knew later were going to get lucky. The big drawback I had with it was always taking it out. Quite a pain finding the little string and gettting it to pull out. But got easier with practice.

[teknurse]

My g/f in high school used this type of sponge. We really liked it at the time, because she could put it in any time she wanted and be 'ready' when we had the chance. Doesn't spoil the mood trying to mess around w/ birth control in the heat of passion. After I got married (different woman), she tried it, and this is where she thinks she developed her allergy to nonoxynol 9. She was VERY sensitive for days, and itched like a sailor fresh from the Phillipines.

Allen&Tami