There are alternatives. Thinking about using the birth control ring? Annovera is one of your options — here's how to decide whether it's right for you. You may have noticed both weight loss and gain listed as a side effect of some birth control. But is there a type for loss or maintaining your weight?
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. About the Birth Control Sponge. Medically reviewed by Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm. How does it work? How do I use it? How effective is it? The sponge should remain in this sudsy condition as it is inserted into the vagina. To prepare the Today Sponge for insertion, fold the sides of the sponge upward, with a finger along each side to support it.
The sponge should look long and narrow almost like a puffy taco. You should also check to make sure the string loop is dangling underneath the sponge from one end of the fold to the other.
With the sponge in your hand, bend your wrist towards you and point the end of the folded sponge toward your vagina. When you look down at the contraceptive sponge, make sure that you can see the fold and that the string loop is still dangling below the sponge. In order to insert the Today Sponge, it is easiest to start from a standing position. Then, slightly squat down and spread your legs apart. You can use your free hand to gently spread apart the lips of the vagina.
You may also:. However, the semi-squatting position appears to work the best and is the easiest for most women. Now, slide the sponge into the opening of the vagina as far as your fingers will go. Let the sponge slide through your fingers, so it is inserted even deeper into the vagina. Finally, you can use one or two fingers to gently push the sponge up into your vagina , as far as it will go.
While doing this step, be extra careful not to push a fingernail through the sponge. Then, check the position of the contraceptive sponge by sliding your finger around its edge to make sure that your cervix is not exposed. You should also be able to feel the string loop. You will know that the Today Sponge is in the proper position if you have determined that your cervix is not exposed by sliding your finger around the edge of the sponge.
If for any reason, the sponge has come out of position, you can simply slide it back in place. It is also unlikely that the birth control sponge will fall out.
It may be pushed down to the opening of the vagina or perhaps fall out during a bowel movement or other form of internal strain.
If you think that this has happened, you can simply reinsert your finger into your vagina and gently push the sponge back. The sponge can prevent pregnancy but doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections STIs. The contraceptive sponge is readily available in drugstores, pharmacies and some supermarkets. The sponge:.
The contraceptive sponge isn't right for everyone. When it comes to birth control, you have several options. Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about which forms of birth control may be better suited for you. An estimated 12 out of women who have never given birth will get pregnant during the first year of typical use of the contraceptive sponge.
An estimated 24 out of women who have given birth will get pregnant during the first year of typical use of the sponge. Before using the contraceptive sponge, read the product instructions carefully or talk to your health care provider.
Plan to use a backup method of birth control, such as a male condom or oral contraceptives, when you begin using the sponge. This improves the effectiveness of the contraception.
Before sex, you put some water on the contraceptive sponge, gently squeeze it to activate its spermicide, and then insert it into the vagina. The sponge covers the cervix, held in place by vaginal muscles.
Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The sponge is a reversible, over-the-counter barrier method of birth control. The Today Sponge is a round device that is 1. It is made of soft polyurethane foam, which feels like natural vaginal tissue, and is coated with sperm-killing nonoxynol-9 spermicide. It also has a cotton loop attached to the bottom for removal.
The Today Sponge was first introduced in and became the largest-selling over-the-counter female contraceptive in the U. It was the first product to combine a spermicide and a barrier contraceptive in one easy-to-use product for women.
The sponge was voluntarily taken off store shelves in by its previous manufacturer who chose to stop producing it rather than make FDA-mandated changes to the equipment at their manufacturing plant. Allendale Pharmaceuticals bought the patents in to start producing the sponge again.
Synova wishes to educate all women about the benefits of the sponge as a safe and effective birth control option. It is important to stress that the sponge was never taken off the market due to safety issues ; the problem was with the equipment at the old manufacturing site. The Today Sponge prevents pregnancy for 24 hours by combining three separate modes of contraceptive action. Primarily, it works as a delivery system for spermicide. By continuously releasing spermicide throughout the vagina, it kills sperm on contact.
It acts as a barrier method that blocks the entry of sperm into the cervix. The foam provides contraceptive protection by trapping and absorbing sperm.
The sponge is held in place by the vaginal muscles.
0コメント