Contraceptive sponge making a comeback

The contraceptive sponge initially launched in 1983 is now making a comeback ten years down the line.

The 'Today Sponge' produced by the Synova Healthcare Group has 'been born again' but how it will be received by a generation of women more used to birth control pills and condoms remains to be seen.

The sponge which is inserted vaginally, is the first and only female contraceptive to combine a spermicide with a barrier contraceptive, designed to prevent pregnancy for 24 hours.

The sponge came off the market in 1995 because of manufacturing issues in the plant where it was once produced, but remained an FDA-approved product.

Synova began selling the sponge again two years ago on it's Web site and through certain retailers, it is now widely available without a prescription in pharmacies, retailers and grocery stores nationwide.

Synova believes there may be a shift in views regarding contraception because of concerns about the long-term use of hormones, and the company is promoting the benefits of the non-hormonal sponge by way of trendy new packaging.

The sponge sells for between $7.99 to $9.99 for a three-pack and the targeted group are women over 35 who smoke, since hormonal birth control pills are generally not advised for smokers due to blood clot risks.

The sponge may also appeal to younger women who do not tolerate the pill due to side effects such as irregular bleeding or nausea.

Women who choose not to take hormones, including nursing mothers and women in between pregnancies, may also favour the sponge instead of condoms.

Condoms can interrupt sexual activity and also places the responsibility on the man for contraception.

Synova says clinical trials of the Today Sponge proved to be 89 to 91 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, but unlike condoms, the sponge does claims not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.