What Is a Birth Control Sponge?
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Medically reviewed by Soma Mandal, MD
The sponge is a type of non-hormonal birth control method. Essentially, it’s a small sponge that you place in the upper part of your vagina to block the cervix. This helps stop sperm from entering the uterus. The sponge also contains spermicide (a chemical that kills sperm).
Like condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps, the sponge is a barrier method of birth control. You don’t need a prescription for the sponge; it can be purchased over-the-counter.
The sponge is less effective than hormonal methods of birth control and is similar in effectiveness to other barrier methods. However, unlike other barrier methods, such as diaphragms and condoms, the sponge is less effective in people who’ve previously given birth. Additionally, it doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Related: The Best Birth Control Options To Consider for Your 20s and Beyond
How Does a Birth Control Sponge Work?
The sponge works by creating a barrier so that sperm can’t enter your uterus. It also contains spermicide to kill sperm. The sponge is about two inches wide and 3/4 of an inch in thickness. It looks like a small disc. The sponge has a loop on it so that you can easily remove it from your vagina when it’s time.
You must place the sponge before having sex; you can insert it up to 24 hours before intercourse. You can leave the sponge in between 24-30 hours total, including the time before sex. You must remove the sponge after 30 hours of use.
Here’s how to use the sponge:
Wet the sponge before using it to activate the spermicide
Fold the sponge in your fingers, moving the sides of the sponge upward, with the loop of the sponge facing down
Gently insert the sponge into your vagina, as deep as possible
After you put the sponge in, it should upfold so that it covers your cervix
Check to make sure that you feel the loop in your vagina
Keep the sponge in at least six hours after intercourse
Do not replace the sponge if you have sex again within the 24-30 hour time period
When you are ready to remove it, gently pull on the loop
Throw the sponge out after you are done; don’t re-use the sponge
Related: Can You Get Pregnant Without Having Sex?
Effectiveness of a Birth Control Sponge
The sponge doesn’t protect you from contracting an STI from your partner. In fact, the spermicide in the sponge can actually increase your risk of HIV. You should only use the sponge with a partner who is at low risk of passing on an HIV infection to you. If you have HIV, you should not use the sponge with a partner, as it will not protect them from getting infected.
Barrier birth control methods like the sponge aren’t as effective at stopping you from getting pregnant as other forms of birth control. For example, hormonal birth control pills, IUDs, and birth control implants are all more effective at preventing pregnancy than the sponge or other barrier methods.
The typical use failure rate for the sponge is 12%. That means that out of 100 people who use the sponge, about 12 will get pregnant within a year of use. However, this is only for people who have never given birth. If you’ve previously given birth, the typical failure rate for the sponge is even higher. Out of every 100 women who’ve previously given birth, 24 will get pregnant while using the sponge. This is because giving birth changes the shape of your vagina and cervix, making it more difficult for the sponge to fit correctly.
Related: Going Off Birth Control: What You Need To Know
Benefits of a Birth Control Sponge
There are a few benefits to using a birth control sponge. First, the sponge is one of the few birth control methods that you can purchase without a prescription. Other barrier methods, like diaphragms or cervical caps, require a healthcare provider to write you a prescription. The sponge, condoms, and spermicide are the barrier methods that don’t require a prescription. However, the sponge isn’t as widely available as a method like condoms, so it may be harder to find.
Another advantage of the sponge is that it doesn't contain hormones, so it won’t have some of the side effects that may come with hormonal methods of birth control. For the same reason, it won't impact your milk supply if you are a breastfeeding parent.
The sponge is also effective for use right away, unlike some hormonal birth controls, which may take a few days to start being effective. You can also use the sponge for intercourse more than once in a 24-hour period, unlike condoms, for example.
Related: Can the Birth Control Pill Cause Weight Gain?
Risks of a Birth Control Sponge
Unfortunately, there are some risks and disadvantages to using the sponge as a method of birth control. Here’s what to know:
The sponge doesn’t protect against STIs
The spermicide in the sponge can increase your risk of contracting an HIV infection
The spermicide in the sponge can cause vaginal and rectal irritation
Some people are sensitive or allergic to the materials in the sponge itself
Keeping the sponge in for longer than the recommended 24-30 hours can increase your risk of toxic shock syndrome (a potentially fatal condition caused by bacterial infection)
Sometimes barrier methods like sponges, diaphragms, and cervical caps increase your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI)
Related: Common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Symptoms in Females
Availability of Birth Control Sponges
The sponge was removed from the market in 1994 by the FDA because of manufacturing and health issues. The sponge was approved and put back on the market by the FDA in 2009. Despite returning to the market, the sponge is difficult to find in the U.S.
The only brand that manufactures the sponge is Today Sponge and it’s not available in every store. You can call your local drugstore to see if they carry it. Some people have more luck finding the sponge from an online store.
In general, the sponge has sold for about $13-15 for a pack of three. As of this writing, the website for Today Sponge is down, and the sponge is only available from online retailers at a marked-up price.
Related: How To Prevent Pregnancy After Unprotected Sex
A Quick Review
The sponge is a barrier contraceptive method. Some of the benefits of the sponge are that it doesn’t contain hormones and doesn’t require a prescription. However, it is less effective at preventing pregnancy than hormonal methods and offers no protection against STIs. It’s also difficult to purchase a sponge in the U.S. at this time.
If you have further questions about whether the sponge is a good birth control method for you, and what other options are available, please reach out to a healthcare provider.
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