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Lea’s Shield. Approved in 2002, Lea’s shield is similar to a cervical cap but contains an air valve that helps it stick to the vaginal walls and allow for the passage of cervical mucus. Unlike cervical caps, it is available in only one size and does not need to be fitted. Lea’s shield is made of silicone, and its cup-shaped bowl completely surrounds the cervix without resting on it. The shield is as effective as the diaphragm and cap when used with spermicide. Its advantages are:
- One size fits all
- Can be left for 48 hours after intercourse
- Reusable for 6 months
The Sponge
The sponge is a disposable form of barrier contraception. It is made of soft polyurethane foam coated with spermicide, is round in shape, and fits over the cervix like a diaphragm, but is smaller and easily portable. The Today sponge is the only brand of contraceptive sponge available in the United States.
The Today sponge originally came on the U.S. market in 1983, but was withdrawn in1994 because of problems at the company's manufacturing facility. In 2009, after several failed attempts, the Today sponge was relaunched and is now available in drugstore chains throughout the United States.
Use and Insertion. To use the sponge, the woman first wets it with water, then inserts it into the vagina with a finger, using a nylon cord loop attachment. It can be inserted up to 6 hours before intercourse and should be left in place for at least 6 hours following intercourse. The sponge provides protection for up to 12 hours. It should not be left in for more than 30 hours from time of insertion.
The sponge should not be used during menstruation, after childbirth, miscarriage, or termination of pregnancy, or by women with a history of toxic shock syndrome.
Advantages and Disadvantages. The sponge is easy to use, is not felt during intercourse, and can be inserted up to 6 hours before intercourse. However, because it contains the spermicide nonoxynol-9, it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and may increase the risk for vaginal irritation and transmission of HIV. [See Spermicides section.]
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Review Date: 09/28/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
