Today contraceptive sponge back on market after a decade off the shelves

Not every man is "spongeworthy" but women can now add the sponge to their sexual tool box of contraceptive choices.\nUnlike the 1995 "Seinfeld" episode in which Elaine hordes a box of sponges and limits their use to "spongeworthy" partners because the product was being pulled from consumer shelves, community members can now obtain a three-pack of sponges from Planned Parenthood in Bloomington to further prevent unintended or unwanted pregnancies with "spongeworthy" partners. More than 250 million sponges were sold between the 1970s and 1995, at which time the product was discontinued due to manufacturer or factory costs and not effectiveness or safety reasons. \n"When the sponge was on the market we always considered it a middle-method contraceptive method," said Kathryn Brown, a health educator for the IU Health Center. "It is certainly effective but not as effective as other hormonal methods. When women use the sponge and their partner uses a condom it is protection from both people." \nKnown as the Today Sponge and manufactured by Allendale Pharmaceuticals since 2003, the polyurethane foam sponge contains 1,000 mg of the spermicide nonoxynol-9 that dribble into the vagina throughout a 24 hour period. Today Sponge method reports indicate an effectiveness rate between 84 and 91 percent against unintended or unwanted pregnancies if the product is used as directed. \n"People often say 'I was in getting in the mood, and I forgot to put on the condom,'" said Larisa Niles-Carnes, a clinical assistant at Planned Parenthood of Indiana in Bloomington. "If you think you could possibly have intercourse you could put the sponge in and then go out and do your thing."\nNiles-Carnes said the common perception of men is that most women are taking birth control pills so they need not carry condoms, and women often expect men to carry condoms so they might not take other pregnancy precautions. Besides both partners having immediate access to condoms, she said the Today Sponge enables women to further protect themselves against pregnancy but not sexually transmitted infections.\nAlthough abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only 100 percent effective barrier to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, the Today Sponge offers women an inexpensive over-the-counter alternative to hormonal and nonhormonal pills, Lea's Shield, cervical caps, diaphragms, vaginal contraceptive rings, Ortho Evra patches, Depo-Provera injections, Norplant implants, intrauterine devices and the female condom. \nThe Today Sponge polyurethane foam acts a physical barrier by trapping sperm before it enters the cervix, and the spermicidal agent nonoxynol-9 deactivates any sperm remaining in the vagina according to Allendale Pharmaceuticals. Side effects include the inflamation of pre-existing yeast infections, a slight risk for toxic shock syndrome and allergic reactions to nonoxynol-9 that can include vaginal burning, itching, redness, rash and irritation. \nSimilar to a woman brushing her teeth to prevent cavities or wearing softball gear to prevent injury, Brown said women should consider the Today Sponge a preventative contraceptive measure and not an excuse for increased risky sexual activity. She said the over-the-counter availability, convenience of use and price of the sponge means a woman might want to incorporate it into her contraceptive choices if and when she chooses to partake in sexual relations with her partner. \n"The sponge is a pretty effective barrier method but women need to know it is pregnancy prevention and it is certainly not the best," Brown said. "You can not rely on it to prevent sexually transmitted infections -- not at all. If the man uses a condom and the woman uses a sponge if not other preventative measures, they can protect themselves against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections."\nAny woman comfortable using tampons or other vaginal contraceptives should be able to use the Today Sponge, according to Allendale Pharmaceuticals, including nursing women, smokers, women over 35 years old and women wanting a backup to other contraceptive methods. Women who should not use the sponge include those who are menstruating, have a vaginal abnormality or infection, have ever had toxic shock syndrome, are within eight weeks of vaginal delivery/miscarriage or abortion and woman who cannot risk chance of pregnancy whatsoever.\nAccording to the Food and Drug Administration, sponges with spermicide are effective for up to 24 hours, but women are encouraged to leave the sponge in place for at least six hours after sexual intercourse and they should remove the sponge within 30 hours of insertion. The Today Sponge is not recommended for women if either they or their partner is allergic to nonoxynol-9.\nWomen who have given birth might have trouble keeping the Today Sponge in place due to an enlarged or irregular shaped vaginal canal, according to Allendale Pharmaceuticals, and a well-endowed man should be careful not to knock the sponge out of the way of the cervix. \nNiles-Carnes said Planned Parenthood recommends women interested in using the Today Sponge schedule a pap smear so all aspects of a woman's health and wellness can be discussed, although community members can still obtain a three-pack of sponges over-the-counter for $7 and without a prescription, she said \n"With anything that is all fun and games, as long you are aware of the consequences you need to protect yourself," she said.