The menstrual sponge is a relatively unknown period care solution, perhaps for good reason. Menstrual sponges include natural sea sponges and synthetic sponges, aka soft tampons. You squish them up by hand and insert them into the vagina. As you might expect, sponges absorb your period blood just like a tampon would.
While other alternative period care options such as cups, discs, and period underwear are more well-known, the sponge has a long history of use. But just because they’ve been around a long time it doesn’t inherently mean menstrual sponges are safe to use.
What Are Menstrual Sponges?
A menstrual sponge is a reusable and absorbent tampon alternative *cue the Spongebob scream.* But unlike tampons, menstrual sponges have no string.
Natural sea sponges, or “sea pearls,” are harvested from the ocean and washed to create menstrual sponges. They can be bleached or unbleached. “Soft tampons,” or synthetic menstrual sponges, are made of polyurethane and are sometimes pre-lubricated.
Why Haven’t I Heard of Menstrual Sponges Before?
Retailers are not allowed to advertise or sell sponges as menstrual products in the United States, which is why you might not have heard about them.
In the 1980s, the University of Iowa Laboratory studied sponges and found them to contain sand, grit, bacteria, and various other materials. The FDA then audited packagers/relabelers selling sponges and came to the same conclusion.
Now, any sponge sold and marketed for menstrual use has to seek pre-market approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA). Currently it appears none have sought this approval. Today, brands usually sell sponges as “cosmetic,” and people opt to use them for period care outside of their advertised use. Synthetic soft tampons are not distributed or sold in the US.
In other countries, synthetic and natural menstrual sponges are more common. Soft tampons especially have wider availability. In the European Union, you can find both on retail store shelves. As with all period products, each country’s regulatory agency determines the availability.
Are Menstrual Sponges Safe?
Like tampons or cups, menstrual sponges are also associated with toxic shock syndrome (TSS). It’s important to follow the cleaning directions provided with your sponge, since these will vary based on the type of sponge.
You can find supporting evidence to say menstrual sponges are safe, and you can also find prominent OB/GYNs like Dr. Jen Gunter who vehemently declare menstrual sponges to be unsafe. This is of course, confusing. I personally would not use either natural sea sponges or soft tampons due to their porousness.
Many OB/GYNs recommend against using sponges or soft tampons for many reasons, citing safety issues and risk of infection.
How Long Can You Wear a Menstrual Sponge?
Based on your flow, you can wear a menstrual sponge 3-5 hours. Some brands say they are safe to wear up to 8 hours.
You can wash and reuse a natural sponge a few times before discarding it. You likely need to keep a few in rotation so you can thoroughly clean each sponge before re-use.
With synthetic soft tampons, you use them once instead of washing and re-using them.
Is a Menstrual Sponge Right For You?
Even though I won’t personally wear them, there are multiple reasons why you might consider a natural or synthetic menstrual sponge. It’s important to consider the pros and cons for each product alongside other period care options like menstrual cups or menstrual discs.
- Many users find menstrual sponges more comfortable than tampons.
- They don’t have the same learning curve of a menstrual cup or disc.
- Natural sea pearls / sponges are sustainable and renewable. They are typically sold in more eco-friendly packaging, and sponges can be washed and reused a few times. By contrast, synthetic soft tampons are one-time-use products and often sold in single plastic packs, making them less appealing from an environmental POV.
- Natural sea pearls and synthetic soft tampons are popular period care solutions to wear during sex. They don’t have strings, and they compress to allow for unobstructed penetrative intercourse. Sponges are popular among sex workers.
- Soft tampons are manufactured so they do not contain sand or debris. Natural sea pearls are washed and inspected but can still have sand or grit.
- Soft tampons and natural sea pearls can work for users with a low cervix who have struggled to use tampons, cups, or discs.
- Soft tampons and natural sea pearls are not ideal for a heavy flow or will need to be replaced frequently on a heavy day. They can also be messier to remove when fully saturated and, anatomy-dependent, may be hard to reach and remove.
Inserting a Menstrual Sponge
Putting in a menstrual sponge or soft tampon is like putting in a tampon with no applicator, only you have to scrunch it all up first. Here are the steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Lightly moisten the sponge with water or a water-based lubricant to make insertion easier.
- Remove any extra liquid by squeezing it out over a sink.
- Compress the sponge into a small, insertable size.
- Push the sponge into the vaginal opening until it’s fully inside and comfortable.
How to Remove a Menstrual Sponge
It can be a little trickier to remove a sponge since there is no string or stem.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Get into a squatting position to make it easier to reach the sponge.
- Reach in and feel around for your sponge. Most synthetic sponges have a slit for the finger to grab onto.
- If you can’t reach the sponge with your fingers, you may need to gently bear down to bring it low enough to reach.
- Pull the sponge down and out.
How Do You Clean a Natural Menstrual Sponge?
After removal, rinse and wring out the menstrual sponge. Given that natural sea sponges have many crevices and holes, it’s important to soak them to disinfect them.
If you choose to use a natural sponge for period care, follow your brand’s instructions for disinfection, which may include soaking in vinegar or peroxide and/or boiling to disinfect.
Which Menstrual Sponge Is Right for You?
Like tampons or pads, you will want to pick the sponge size that meets your flow needs. Larger sponges are going to be more absorbent. It’s also worth noting that natural sea sponges can be trimmed down to fit.
Synthetic soft tampons are generally less absorbent than natural sponges, and they may not be available depending on where you live. You will want to base your choice on the design and advertised absorbency, and match those to your needs.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Menstrual Sponges
The sponge has some advantages over tampons like their ability to be worn during sex. The natural sponge is also reusable, and many people appreciate that they are “natural.” Reusable menstrual discs have the same advantages but also lack the porousness of natural sponges. They are made of medical grade silicone and FDA Regulated products. SIlicone poses no risk of having debris or sand embedded, and silicone is easy to sanitize and lacks any nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide. You can even find special steam sanitizers for your menstrual disc, or simply boil them in your kitchen pot. Menstrual discs can be worn during penetrative intercourse as well if you want a “mess free” experience that is comfortable for you and your partner.
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