What if the sponge is irritating me?
The irritation is likely from the spermicide. Since you cannot separate the two, you should try a different method.
Still not working? Think about trying a method that does not require any spermicide.
If you want to keep using a barrier method, consider using external condoms (male) or internal condoms (female).
You might also consider using a method you do not have to think about each time you have sex, like an IUD, The Injectable, the implant, the ring, the patch, or the pill
Try a different method: external condom (male); implant; internal condom (female); IUD; patch; pill; ring; injectable.
References:
- Mayer Laboratories, Inc. (2018). Drug facts: TODAY VAGINAL CONTRACEPTIVE- nonoxynol-9 sponge. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=6b4e54d7-6ba8-4400-bd52-75d112e6fe50&type=pdf&name=6b4e54d7-6ba8-4400-bd52-75d112e6fe50