Wash your hands first. Remove the sponge from the package it comes in and wet it with two tablespoons of clean water. Squeeze the sponge once. Then insert the sponge into your vagina by sliding it along the back wall until it is up against your cervix. The dimple side of the sponge should face your cervix and the loop should face away from your cervix. Make sure that you feel the sponge covering your cervix. You can insert the sponge just before intercourse OR several hours ahead of time. You can have protected sex for a total of 12 hours, no matter how many times you have sexual intercourse.

Leave the sponge inside of you for at least 6 hours after intercourse, but no more than a total of 12 hours. After 6 hours, wash your hands and take hold of the loop on the sponge with one finger. Pull on the loop gently to remove the sponge. Make sure that the sponge is in one piece after you have removed it. Then throw it away. If it's torn, you should remove all the pieces from your vagina. If you have any concerns if the sponge isn't in one piece, contact your health care provider.