Sponge

caseyp10

Has anyone used a sponge before for birth control? DH is boycotting condoms so I figured we'd try the sponge. Now I'm reading the instructions and they're freaking me out. Any words of encouragement?

muffyvonmuff

MtnChickaD

They still make these?!

caseyp10

MtnChickaD said:

They still make these?!

They only had them at Walgreen's so maybe they're on their way out?? I'm old lol

sooner1981

Planned parenthood states that, if used perfectly every time, 20 women out of 100 women using this form of birth control will become pregnant within a year. Their website actually states that men should consider pulling out before ejaculation if using this form of BC. Obviously, they are not as reliable a method as condoms--but they are better than nothing.

Honestly, if I didnt want a new addition to our family soon and I couldn't take the pill or use an IUD and my husband refused to wear condoms "just because," my birth control method of choice would be abstinence.

ncase2

Can I just say that I think it's lame that a guy won't suit up? It sounds like a poor excuse to me. #MFFC

caseyp10

I'm not a fan of condoms either so I guess I should have said he doesn't want to wear them and I didn't protest?

caseyp10

sooner1981 said:

Planned parenthood states that, if used perfectly every time, 20 women out of 100 women using this form of birth control will become pregnant within a year. Their website actually states that men should consider pulling out before ejaculation if using this form of BC. Obviously, they are not as reliable a method as condoms--but they are better than nothing.

Honestly, if I didnt want a new addition to our family soon and I couldn't take the pill or use an IUD and my husband refused to wear condoms "just because," my birth control method of choice would be abstinence.

Definitely pulling out too!

WhenInRome11

Have you tried polyurethane condoms? They transfer heat better than latex. I have a latex sensitivity so when we used condoms we used polyurethane and DH like them better anyway.

Jenball717

Sponges sound like way too much work.

pmarie33

caseyp10 said:

DH is boycotting condoms

He sounds mature.

sooner1981

quartermisses said:

Get ready for a lot of TMI. 

Yes, I have used them! It was pre-babies, and I wanted a diaphragm, but my DNP at the time said she would only fit me for one if I used and liked a sponge first. I ended up really liking them, and used them for a year before we decided to try to get pregnant. I never got the diaphragm. The thyroid disease symptoms, hormonal birth control symptoms, and I do not mix (though, I am doing well with the mirena). 

I used the Today brand, but there are others. I did some quick searches (because the above sounded a little off), and  most studies do not agree with Sooner's/PP's numbers--the 80% is about what they are when not used as prescribed. Several studies in Europe found effectiveness to be closer to 90% when used correctly. Not as great as condoms, but not a 15-18% difference, either. It is more effective with women who have never given birth, but the European trials found thatdifference to be only 1-2%. One trial in the UK found sponges to be 98% effective, but that seemed to be better than most. 

However, full disclosure: 

They were not cheap--like $15/2-pack (Amazon seems to have them for cheaper).

One of my symptoms from the Hashimoto's is low sex drive, so we are not "frequent fliers." (Sorry, DH). 

I also chart, and we do/did not have sex close to my fertile window. (I am a fertile Myrtle, and both times we had sex to have babies, well... we got babies. I am not even exaggerating a little bit). 

They are a very odd sensation. Like sticking a sudsy makeup sponge all up in your lady business.  And you have to fish to get it out (and it like... suctions out). 

They WERE easy to use and I couldn't ever feel it. 

Just FYI--the 20 percent pregnancy rate is for women who have previously has babies. If used in women who have not had babies, PP states that the pregnancy rate is close to the ten percent you cited--at least according to what I found. It looks like PP's numbers are only for the "today" sponge, as it claims that is the only brand available in the us...

caseyp10

quartermisses said:

Get ready for a lot of TMI. 

Yes, I have used them! It was pre-babies, and I wanted a diaphragm, but my DNP at the time said she would only fit me for one if I used and liked a sponge first. I ended up really liking them, and used them for a year before we decided to try to get pregnant. I never got the diaphragm. The thyroid disease symptoms, hormonal birth control symptoms, and I do not mix (though, I am doing well with the mirena). 

I used the Today brand, but there are others. I did some quick searches (because the above sounded a little off), and  most studies do not agree with Sooner's/PP's numbers--the 80% is about what they are when not used as prescribed. Several studies in Europe found effectiveness to be closer to 90% when used correctly. Not as great as condoms, but not a 15-18% difference, either. It is more effective with women who have never given birth, but the European trials found thatdifference to be only 1-2%. One trial in the UK found sponges to be 98% effective, but that seemed to be better than most. 

However, full disclosure: 

They were not cheap--like $15/2-pack (Amazon seems to have them for cheaper).

One of my symptoms from the Hashimoto's is low sex drive, so we are not "frequent fliers." (Sorry, DH). 

I also chart, and we do/did not have sex close to my fertile window. (I am a fertile Myrtle, and both times we had sex to have babies, well... we got babies. I am not even exaggerating a little bit). 

They are a very odd sensation. Like sticking a sudsy makeup sponge all up in your lady business.  And you have to fish to get it out (and it like... suctions out). 

They WERE easy to use and I couldn't ever feel it. 

Thank you! Very informative and non-judgey