Sponge

THE BIRTH CONTROL SPONGE

A SPERMICIDAL SOLUTION.

ACTIVATE WITH WATER

The sponge is a small disc of latex foam that contains spermicide and is placed against the cervix to prevent pregnancy. It can be put inside the vagina for up to 24 hours before sex, making it suitable for spontaneous but uninterrupted sex. While many find the sponge a convenient method of birth control, it isn't suitable for everyone – particularly people who have given birth.

To use the sponge, simply wash your hands and dampen the sponge with tap water. This is an important step, because it starts the release of the spermicide. Now, with the dimple facing up, fold the sponge in half and place it as far as it will go, until it covers your cervix. Check the edges to make sure it's fitted properly, and you're good to go. After sex, leave it in for at least six hours, and then simply pull on the strap to remove it and throw it away. It is important to remove the sponge within 30 hours after insertion, as in some cases it can raise the risk of toxic shock syndrome.

Sponge

HOW IT MEASURES UP

76% 76%

86%1
EF­FI­CACY WITH TYP­I­CAL USE

The sponge is self-administered and bought over the counter. Although it contains its own spermicide, care must be taken to place it and this can take some practice; so with typical use, the sponge is less effective than other methods of birth control – especially for people who have previously given birth, where the efficacy with typical use falls to 78%.1

View 'Perfect' Use Efficacy Rate

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80% 80%

91%1
EF­FI­CACY WITH PERFECT USE

The sponge is self-administered and bought over the counter. When it is used perfectly the sponge can be an effective method of birth control, but it is less effective than other methods – especially for people who have previously given birth, where the efficacy with perfect use falls to 80%.1

View 'Typical' Use Efficacy Rate

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HORMONES

No. The sponge is hormone-free, and it continuously releases spermicide.

EASE OF USE

The sponge needs to be placed in the vagina prior to having sex, and can be placed up to 24 hours in advance.

YOUR PERIOD

The sponge has no impact on your period.

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MyContraception-Woman
FAQ Questionmark

Can I use the sponge daily, even during my period?

You may use the sponge as often as you wish, but it is not recommended to use it during your period.

FAQ Questionmark

Can the sponge get lost inside me?

The sponge is held in place by the muscles in the upper vagina, and the indentation in the sponge helps keep it in place directly over the cervix. The cervix opening is far too small for the sponge to pass through, so there is no way the sponge could get lost inside the body.

FAQ Questionmark

Can I place the sponge in my vagina after having sex?

No. The sponge must be placed before you have sex to be effective.

FAQ Questionmark

Will my partner or I feel the sponge during sex?

The sponge is made from a soft material that feels like vaginal tissue. Some partners may feel the sponge, but most people don't find it uncomfortable.

FAQ Questionmark

I’m not on my period, but there was blood on the sponge when I removed it. What happened?

Some people spot between periods, particularly during ovulation, so this is no cause for worry. If the period is unusual, continual, or heavy, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or nurse about it.

FAQ Questionmark

Can the sponge cause vaginal dryness?

Some people find that the sponge can absorb some of the natural vaginal secretions. To help prevent this, it's important to wet the sponge thoroughly before use. If you follow the directions carefully and still experience dryness, it is recommended to use a water-based lubricant with the sponge. If you'd prefer not to do this, it may be worth considering alternative methods of birth control.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Start preparing for the next appointment with your doctor or nurse today!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

1
DAY

How long the sponge offers protection.

86%1

The overall rate at which the sponge is effective with typical use in people who have never given birth.1

19762

The year the sponge was created by Bruce Ward Vorhauer.2

PROS

  • Hormone-free – it can be an option for people who experience unwanted effects from hormones.3-5
  • Self-administered – you can fit and remove it yourself.3
  • Doesn’t interrupt sex since you can put it in a few hours in advance.3
  • Only needs to be used when you want to have sex.4
  • Inexpensive.3
  • Does not need a prescription.3,5
  • May be used while breastfeeding.4,5
  • Only needs to be used when you want to have sex.4
  • Inexpensive.3
  • Does not need a prescription.3,5
  • May be used while breastfeeding.4,5

CONS

  • Less effective than other birth control methods – especially for people who have previously given birth.1,5
  • No protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).3-5
  • May not be the right option if you are uncomfortable with fitting and removing it from your vagina.3
  • Cannot be used during your period.3,5
  • Irritation and allergic reactions can be experienced by some people, and if left in place for more than 30 hours there is a risk of toxic shock syndrome.3,5
  • Cannot be used during your period.3,5
  • Irritation and allergic reactions can be experienced by some people, and if left in place for more than 30 hours there is a risk of toxic shock syndrome.3,5

NEED MORE ADVICE?

Get ready to speak to a doctor. Use a 3-step guide to prepare for your next appointment.

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References

  • Planned Parenthood. How effective is the sponge? https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-sponge/how-effective-sponge [Accessed September 2022]. Return to content
  • Newton D.E. Birth Control: A Reference Handbook. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=FaW-DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA307 [Accessed March 2023]. Return to content
  • American Pregnancy Association. Contraceptive sponge. https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/birth-control-pills-patches-and-devices/contraceptive-sponge/ [Accessed September 2022]. Return to content
  • DofEve. 2021 Guide to the Birth Control Sponge: is it effective? https://www.dofeve.org/2021-guide-to-the-birth-control-sponge-is-it-effective/ [Accessed September 2022]. Return to content
  • Peace Health. Contraceptive Sponge for Birth Control. https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/tw9510 [Accessed September 2022]. Return to content

Is It Okay?

CONSIDER THIS

This approach is entirely self-directed, and requires a lot of planning and tracking. Those who wish to avoid unplanned pregnancy should use a hormone-free barrier method when ovulating, or if menstrual cycles are irregular. For protection from STIs, condoms must be used.

LEARN MORE

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

THE
IUS

The Hor­monal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plas­tic frame that re­leases low lev­els of a prog­estin hor­mone for up to 3 to 6 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse.

Image of an IUS

THE
IUD

The Hor­monal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plas­tic frame that re­leases low lev­els of a prog­estin hor­mone for up to 3 to 5 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse.

Image of an IUD

THE
IMPLANT

A small, flexible silicone rod that releases hormones for up to 3 to 5 years. It is given with a prescription and placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor or nurse.

Image of the Implant

THE
PILL

A small tablet containing one hormone, or a combined pill containing two hormones, that is self-administered with a prescription and needs to be swallowed at the same time each day.

Image of birth control pills

THE
INJECTION

A shot containing hormone(s) that is given with a prescription and administered by a doctor or nurse every 1 or 3 months.

Image of an Injection

THE
PATCH

A small, thin, skin-colored plastic square that sticks to the skin and releases hormones. It is given with a prescription and can be self-administered once a week.

Image of the Patch

THE
DI­APHRAGM

A silicone cup placed in the vagina that prevents sperm from reaching the womb. Though some are fitted by a doctor or nurse, most are self-administered with a prescription up to 24 hours before sex.

Image of a Diaphragm

THE
RING

A small, flexible ring that is self-administered with a prescription and placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones for 3 weeks.

Image of a Ring

THE
FEMALE CONDOM

An internal condom that works in the same way male condoms do, though it is placed in the vagina. It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Image of Female Condom

THE
MALE CONDOM

A sheath placed over the erect penis to stop sperm from reaching the vagina, it is also the only method that helps lower the risk of STIs. It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Image of a Male Condom

THE
SPONGE

A small, round piece of foam with a nylon loop that is placed in the vagina right before intercourse. It is bought over the counter and is self-administered.

Image of a Sponge

NATURAL
PLANNING

Self-directed methods of avoiding pregnancy that include menstrual cycle tracking and body temperature measurements to identify fertile days.

Natural Planning

SPERMICIDE

Creams, films, foams, gels and suppositories that contain chemicals to stop or kill sperm. These are bought over the counter and are self-administered.

Image of spermicide

WITHDRAWAL

Also known as ‘the pull-out method’, this self-directed method involves withdrawing the penis prior to ejaculation to avoid pregnancy.

Image of a timer for the withdrawal method

MALE
STERILIZATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the tubes carrying sperm.

Icon representing male sterilization

FEMALE
STERILIZATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the fallopian tubes and removes the possibility of pregnancy.

Icon representing female sterilization
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Last updated on 21/02/2020

This website is intended to provide information to an international audience outside of the US. All pictures used in this website show models only.

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