[lizzardb63]

Does anyone have experience using Today's Sponge at all? I am still trying to find a more "freeing" form of birth control for once I am married (I'd rather not use condoms) and cannot take anything hormonal since it makes me crazy.

So- anyone who has experience using the sponge, please enlighten me with your opinions. Could you feel it? Could he feel it? Was it hard to insert? Was it hard to remove? Was it effective in preventing pregnancy? Would you use this personally as a form of birth control and if not, what would you recommend (other than hormonal birth control options)?

I am tried the female condom, which I didn't mind, but when I was on the pill I enjoyed the intimacy of having my fiance release inside me. I want that back, especially once we're married.

[Warrioress]

Okay chica, here goes...

The sponge acts in three ways to prevent pregnancy:

1)It continuously releases a nonoxynol-9 spermicide to kill of sperm after his ejaculation.
2)It actually blocks the sperm from entering the cervix.
3) It blocks this sperm by absorbing his jizz (excuse the raw term), hence the name "Sponge".

Upon initial use, it must be moistened with water to activate the spermicide. You can insert it up to 24 hours prior to intercourse to allow the sponge to fully moisten and to allow your delicate vaginal canal to get used to it. However, it must be disposed of after sex, but it can and should be left in the vaginal canal for six hours after sex to prevent his sperm from entering the cervix. Those little monsters are determined little suckers! And lastly, a word of extreme caution: Watch out for toxic shock syndrome! Do not forget it's in there! It comes with a loop attatched for easy removal. So, treat it like a tampon. When it's full, toss it!

Good luck and, hopefully, good love and good lust!

[lizzardb63]

Any other experience on the actual physical use of it, rather than the "how-to" (which I do appreciate, thank you)?

[lauricella33]

****Warrioress

Thanks a lot, your post clarify a lot of things...

[brightceci]

I know you have posted this up a few months back. Have you tried using your sponge and how do you like it?

Anyhow, I will still put my opinion here...
I love the sponge! And no I am not Elaine from Seinfield. We actually have two different brand in Canada here to chose from and I prefer Today's because it is easier to take out. The only difference is Today's sponge require you soak/moist it first, and it is bigger.
To answer your questions,
1. Can you feel it? No. It is like using tampons, you shouldn't feel it, if you do it is not inserted high enough, in the case of the sponge, you have to make sure your cervix is covered, it will be high enough.

2. Can he feel it? No. No guys (two) have complain about feeling it so far. Actually the texture of the sponge feels like your cervix (I checked my cervix for my cycle daily, so I know how it feels). He might feel it in your less fertile days when your cervix is low, with the sponge he may feel it because it is especially lower. But if you don't tell your hubby he probably wouldn't know, they can't feel the difference. If they say they do.. well... it feels like the cervix you have about a week before your period so... I would have to say it is all 'in their head'.

3. Was it hard to insert? I didn't find it hard to insert. After you moist/soak the sponge, it become very slimy. I squat and bear down to make sure the sponge is position right and cover my cervix. It does make a little mess because it is soak and will be dripping a bit during insertion.

4. Was it hard to remove? Well, maybe the first time because you need to find the string, and that you might need to run your fingers through edge of the sponge to find it. I use my index and middle fingers, once I found the string I just lightly grep on pull out. Once you've done that, you know what to do every time. Other brand have no string at all so it is a lot harder to pull out.

5. Preventing pregnancy effectiveness? That I can't answer other than the stats shown on the package, that's why I check my cycle closely. I haven't become pregnant, but I haven't have kids so the effectiveness for me is higher than woman who has baby's before because of size of the cervix opening.

6. Would you use this personally as a form of birth control? Yes, because I don't want hormone birth control, and I don't want to go to see the doctors to fit anything... knowing our body chances from time to time, and no copper IUD because I have super heavy period and cramps so IUD not suitable for me. I have been on the pills for years, off for two years and got back on, nope, I went crazy, NO sex drive and gets very angry. So, no pills for me. Sponge is the best choice for me so far.

One more thing, people warns about oral sex with the sponge that it is nasty tasting because of the spermicide. If you insert it a few hours before intercourse, it will be fine. I do wipe myself thoroughly after I insert the sponge. Again, nobody complains, he can't tell the difference, I can't taste any bitterness or spermicide when I kiss him after.