I've probably seen every Seinfeld episode at least 5 times each (I don't know what that says about me) and I always liked the one where Elaine finds out that the contraceptive Sponge is being taken off the market so she stocks up like a mad woman and then has to decide, given her limited supply, which guy is "spongeworthy". There were many criteria!
The episode was based in reality - the sponge was taken off shelves in the 90s, due to fears that it was possibly defective due to bacterial infections found in the plant where it was manufactured - but, as George Costanza might say "it's coming back, baby! It's coming back!"
The sponge is shaped like a disk and is soft and a bit "spongy" when wet and filled with spermicide. Before sex (up to 24 hours before, so it doesn't affect spontaneity), it is wet with a little water and squeezed a little in order to let the water in so that the spermicide is activated. A woman then inserts it into her vagina up towards the cervix. With a little practice, it's very easy. It must be kept in for 6 hours after sex.
The sponge is not used by many women and women in their late teens/20s may not even know what it is. But it does have devotees, who really like it because it does not need a doctor's prescription and has a fairly high success rate (although at 90%, a woman is taking quite a chance, every time she uses it and it does not protect against disease or infection) but sales are expected to be pretty healthy once it goes on sale which is this week. While the manufacturer doesn't think women will be lining up to get it, they believe that those who loved it before, will love it again.
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Did you use the sponge, with your "spongeworthy" man?! Would/will you use it again?
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I am quitting the pill and am interested in trying the sponge for the first time as it seems safer in the long term not to take hormones.
June 10, 2009 - 10:45amI would like any advice on ease of insertion, etc...if anyone has any!?
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Loved the sponge in the 90s and am thrilled to see it back on store shelves today. Don't count on it being in the grocery stores, but Rite-Aid usually carries it. Hooray for Today! =)
June 10, 2009 - 9:34amThis Comment