Any woman sooner or later faces the issue of contraception. There are a lot of options for protection, but how to choose the most effective one than to “close” the days of breaks when taking oral contraceptives? A difficult choice is faced by lactating women who cannot use the usual hormonal drugs. In this article, we will talk about the contraceptive sponge. What is it and in what cases is it relevant?
The history of the contraceptive sponge
Sponges for protection were produced back in the 80s. At the time, they were at the height of their popularity due to advertisements on the TV series Seinfeld. But in 1994, production stopped due to problems within the company.
The contraceptive sponge reappeared on the shelves of pharmacies only after 10 years. And again, the same series, shown again, contributed to its popularity. At the moment, these products are manufactured by Pharmatex, Protectaid,Today.
Features
The contraceptive sponge is classified as a barrier contraceptive. The most popular material for the manufacture of products is polyurethane or natural sea sponge. It is impregnated with a spermicidal substance, thus achieving a simultaneous chemical and mechanical effect.
Nonoxynol-9 or benzalkonium chloride is used as a spermicide. The sponge is a small “washcloth” with a recess and an elastic band. The structure is porous.
Contraceptive sponges: instructions
The sponge application is quite simple. It is inserted into the vagina just before intercourse. First of all, you should wash your hands so as not to bring the infection inside with your own hands. Then it is necessary to moisten the sponge with water, wring it out slightly so that water does not drip from it. The pad should just be damp. The amount of water is approximately 2 tablespoons. After that, you need to turn it over with a recess towards you. It is more convenient to introduce a sponge, slightly crouching. With one hand you need to open the labia, with the other insert the sponge. The recess should cover the cervix.
In general, the contraceptive can stay inside the vagina for up to 24 hours. Sponge protects against unwanted pregnancy during all this time. That is, sexual intercourse can be more than one. After contact, do not remove the sponge for 8 hours.
When the time has passed, the contraceptive sponge is removed. The photo in the instructions clearly demonstrates its use. For convenience, the sponge has an elastic band, pulling it,the contraceptive is removed. The sponge cannot be reused, and it is also forbidden to throw it into the toilet.
Efficiency
The protective ability of the sponge is 76-86%. About 14-24 women out of 100 were pregnant. It is worth noting that in nulliparous women, protection worked better. Those who have already had children have a much higher risk of pregnancy.
Benefits of barrier contraception
The main advantage of a sponge is its ease of use. It is impossible to forget to use a contraceptive sponge on time, such as pills. There is no feeling of artificial sensations, which are often complained about when using condoms. And the sponge does not dissolve, causing too much liquid to appear, like candles and ointments. In addition, it is an ideal contraception for women who are breastfeeding. It is usually very difficult for this category to find protection for themselves.
Women are especially impressed that the contraceptive sponge does not contain hormones. Instructions for use are included with the product, so it's very easy to figure out what's what.
Disadvantages of protection sponges
Unfortunately, the sponge does not deprive a woman of the fear of unwanted pregnancy. It is recommended for women with weak reproductive activity or as a temporary method. Also suitable if sexual intercourse is rare.
Contraindications for use
Be careful contraceptivethe sponge has a number of contraindications:
- The structure of the vagina or uterus, which differs from the norm. In this case, the sponge may not completely close the passage and lose its protective function.
- Ovulation period. On such days, the probability of pregnancy increases several times, and we have already mentioned the low effectiveness of this method of contraception.
- Having an allergy to polyurethane sponges or spermicide is an absolute contraindication.
- Do not use a sponge for 2 weeks after an abortion or miscarriage.
- If you've had toxic shock in your life, chances are it will happen again.
- After giving birth, all such contraceptives should not be used until the uterus recovers.
- A couple of days after the end of the period, as the uterus is slightly enlarged.
- Bleeding and inflammation in the vagina.
Do not neglect contraindications, your he alth depends on it. In addition, women who often suffer from candidiasis (thrush) are recommended to refuse a contraceptive sponge. Relapse may occur after using the sponge.
Contraceptive sponge "Pharmatex"
In Russia, contraceptive sponges are produced by the company "Pharmatex". An alternative name is a contraceptive tampon. Its shape is slightly different from the American counterpart and is a cylinder. The manufacturer uses benzalkonium chloride as a spermicide.
Contraceptive sponges"Pharmateks" act destructively on spermatozoa. Within 20 seconds after the interaction with the spermicide, the complete disintegration of the spermatozoon occurs. In addition, tampons have an antibacterial effect. But the danger of candidiasis is still great.
Contraceptive sponge reviews
The contraceptive sponge has long taken pride of place among other similar methods. Its popularity is not falling, but it is not increasing either. Among the positive aspects, women note convenience. Sponges are sold without a doctor's prescription at any pharmacy, they are easy to insert 10 minutes before sexual intercourse, they protect well against infections.
However, there are a number of disadvantages, such as burning. Some women feel the sponge, which causes discomfort and inconvenience. Manufacturers note that such sensations are the result of incorrect input. By following the instructions exactly, this can be avoided. If discomfort has already appeared, it is recommended to remove the sponge and repeat its introduction into the vagina. It should also be noted that there are cases of pregnancy, which, in principle, happens with any method of contraception. A significant disadvantage for many is the cost of the product. The price for two tampons is about 400 rubles.
Women who do not have a permanent sexual life, most of them use contraceptive sponges. Reviews about them are quite contradictory. The body of every woman is special and individual. What is ideal protection for some can be a nightmare for others. Butdefinitely worth a try.
