quick question

[http://users.livejournal.com/_last_serenade_/]

sponges + condoms = ??

does the texture of the sponge reduce effectiveness as far as anyone can tell? i'm not worried about pregnancy cause i'm on the pill, but i'm not monogamous, so condoms are a must. when i was monogamous, sponges worked great to reduce the need for towels, etc., but i don't know if the texture of the sponge could cause a problem.

anyone know?

Comments

[achtungbaby.livejournal.com]

i thought they quit selling sponges? hell maybe its just my area then. cause i've never even SEEN one.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_last_serenade_/]

i meant sea sponges (as opposed to cotton tampons). doh, sorry, i should have clarified that.

[achtungbaby.livejournal.com]

wait. a sea sponge or a Today Sponge? cause i read the other comment and that seemed like it was what you were looking for. cause i think they are two different things.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_last_serenade_/]

i figued a sponge is a sponge...but if a today sponge is made of a different material, maybe the information isn't applicable.

i checked the website where i got my sponges (jade and pearl) and they didn't mention anything one way or another. i think i'll try e-mailing them.

[achtungbaby.livejournal.com]

a Today Sponge is a contraceptive. a Sea Sponge is just that. it comes from the sea, but it is used as a menstration collecting product.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_last_serenade_/]

i figured as much now that you brought it to my attention. dur. i'd never even heard of today sponge.

lol, and i had guessed long ago that my sea sponges were from the sea... :P

[dindin.livejournal.com]

In the U.S., yes. They're still under review for re-approval by the FDA. You can get them in Canada or on the internet here (http://www.birthcontrol.com).


When I was in a ldr and not having sex that often, I loved using Protectaid Sponges.

[char.livejournal.com]

i was curious, so i researched it. this is from the FAQ on the Today Sponge website:
"5. Will using a condom in conjunction with the Today Sponge lessen the chance of pregnancy?

Using a condom along with a Today Sponge is an excellent backup method and is likely to enhance contraceptive effectiveness. A condom should always be used for protection against sexually transmitted diseases."

so there. i hope that helps!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_last_serenade_/]

w00t! excellent...thanks!

[char.livejournal.com]

ok. i did more reading and some sites say using sponges will increase your risk of yeast infections. have you ever had problems like that?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_last_serenade_/]

nope. never had one *knocks on wood*. i have had alot of bacterial intections though.

[ourika.livejournal.com]

Using sea sponges *decreased* my yeast infections because I was washing the sea sponge in a diluted tea tree oil/water solution and tea tree oil is actually used to treat yeast infections! They've fabulous, and I've used them to actually treat yeast infections, too. I am not sure if it makes a difference, but even though they say you don't need to boil them, I do. It cuts their life expectancy a bit, but the sea is a rather dirty place!

[dindin.livejournal.com]

Except she's not using a contraceptive sponge (which can be purchased over the internet from Canada here (http://www.birthcontrol.com).

[char.livejournal.com]

yeah, didn't know that till after i posted that.

i don't think it would really be a problem though. it would makes sense to me. unless they're poorly made condemns, i don't think a sponge, whether sea or contraceptive, would cause a problem.
i'm no professional though. that's just my opinion.

[dindin.livejournal.com]

Obviously a condom is going to work fine with a contraceptive sponge. ;)

Sea sponges I don't know the first thing about.

(the sooner the FDA gets off their collective ass and puts sponges back on the market here, the better)