Today Sponge, introduced in 1983, became the largest-selling over-the-counter (OTC) female contraceptive in the United States. It provides women with what they most often look for in a contraceptive: effectiveness, safety, convenience, and sexual spontaneity. Made of a soft, disposable polyurethane foam that feels like natural vaginal tissue, Today® Sponge contains the widely used spermicide nonoxynol-9. After it is moistened with water and inserted into the vagina, Today® Sponge becomes effective immediately and protects against pregnancy for the next 24 hours without the need to add spermicidal cream or jelly - even with repeated acts of intercourse. After years of clinical testing among more than 1,800 women worldwide who used Today® Sponge throughout more than 12,000 menstrual cycles, Today® Sponge was introduced to the U.S. Market in April 1983. Studied in 20 family planning centers in 11 countries, it has undergone more extensive testing prior to introduction than any other female OTC contraceptive. Updated worldwide clinical trial results continue to confirm the data supporting the labeling of Today® Sponge, which made it the female OTC contraceptive method most recommended by physicians. Today Sponge combines effectiveness, safety, comfort, spontaneity, and convenience in the following ways: Efficacy Two kinds of efficacy statistics are customarily calculated for contraceptive methods. "Method-effectiveness" is the level of effectiveness obtained when using a method consistently, according to label instructions. The method-effectiveness for Today Sponge, which was derived from a controlled worldwide clinical study, is 89% to 91% (see Today Sponge product labeling). What that actually means is about one pregnancy for every 1,250 to 1,500 acts of intercourse Another measurement of efficacy is the "use-effectiveness" rate, which measures the level of effectiveness that can be expected by a large group of women, some of whom either fail to use Today Sponge correctly or do not use it every time they have intercourse. The use-effectiveness rate for Today Sponge is 84% to 87% (see Today Sponge product labeling). Safety Today Sponge does not contain hormones. The active ingredient, the spermicide, nonoxynol-9, has been available for more than 35 years, has been used by millions of women, and has a proven safety record Comfort Because Today Sponge is made of soft polyurethane foam that mimics the feel of vaginal tissue, it is extremely comfortable and generally undetected by either partner during intercourse. Spontaneity Nonoxynol-9 is released immediately upon insertion of Today Sponge and is continuously present for 24 hours. The allows for as many acts of intercourse as desired within 24 hours without the need to add spermicide. No mess. Just complete spontaneity. Convenience Today Sponge is sold over-the-counter, without a physicians' prescription. No special fitting is required. Its small size allows a woman to carry it unobtrusively in her purse. In addition, it is disposable after each use. And, unlike the pill, Today Sponge is used only when needed.