TresSugar

What Happened to the Today Sponge?

DearSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

So you hate that condoms make sex less enjoyable and you despise being on hormones because they make you moody. So what's a girl to do about preventing pregnancy? Maybe you've considered the Today Sponge. It's a hormone-free, spermicidal foam sponge that a woman inserts before sex. It covers the cervix so it prevents sperm from getting to the uterus and it also kills any sperm that should happen to pass through. Women who love the Today Sponge really love it, but the problem is, it's off the market! Last December, Synova, the company who manufactured it went bankrupt. No money means no Today Sponge. But I have good news. To hear it read more.

This past June, Alvogen purchased the manufacturing rights for the Today Sponge. There isn't much info about when we should see it back on shelves, but I'll bet it's soon since so many women are anxiously awaiting its arrival. If you can't live without the Today Sponge, you can purchase it for a pretty penny on eBay or Amazon but as soon as I hear something, I'll let you know.

On a funnier note, Elaine from Seinfeld was an enormous Today Sponge lover. To see how she decides whether a guy is "sponge worthy" or not, check out this hilarious video below!

Tell me, are any of you Today Sponge fans?

Source

What's up With the Today Sponge?

DearSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:00:00 -0700

I'm sure we've all heard about this interesting form of birth control (possibly from an old Seinfeld episode) and I've got to tell you that the Today® Sponge, though weird and uncommonly talked about, is back.

So where did it go and why? It was originally introduced in 1983 and went off the market in 1995 because the former manufacturer didn't want to pay for the costs of getting the plant up to acceptable manufacturing standards. In 2005, Allendale Pharmaceuticals, Inc. purchased the Today Sponge and updated the manufacturing equipment to meet all of the current FDA manufacturing standards, so it's back on the shelves.

It's a hormone-free birth control option made of a soft, disposable medical grade polyurethane foam that feels like natural vaginal tissue. The 1.75 inch sponge is moistened with water and contains the spermicide nonoxynol 9. Once you insert it into your vagina, it will prevent pregnancy for up to 24 hours. It's 89-91% effective and is great for people who like the idea of spermicidal creams and gels, but who don't like the messiness.

Does the Today Sponge prevent against STIs? To find out read more

You should be aware that the Today Sponge does not prevent against STIs whatsoever, so using condoms along with it is a great idea so you stay protected.

Also, some people may have a sensitivity to nonoxynol 9, so if you experience a burning sensation, or a weird discharge, chances are this method of birth control isn't right for you.

You can find the Today Sponge at most pharmacies or drug stores (check out the new hot pink packaging!) and it costs about $10 for 3 sponges.

Dear's Advice: The Today Sponge is a great option if you are in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone who is disease-free.

Source

Hump Day: What Are Some Unconventional Erogenous Zones?

TresSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Hump Day, TrèsSugar's sex advice column. Are you confused about sex? Do you have trouble having an orgasm? Is there something you'd like to try but you're worried it's too weird? Send your questions to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's Question:

“I would like to be a better lover. What are some unconventional erogenous zones?” To hear Dr. Glickman's answer, read more

Well, I suppose that depends on who you ask. After all, what one person considers “unconventional” is someone else’s favorite place to visit. But even so, there are some spots that not everyone knows about.

For the guys, men’s nipples are an often-overlooked pleasure zone. Some guys like pinching or twisting, but get a firm grip first. Or try sucking on them. Either way, start off light and slowly increase until you find the right level.

You could also spend a little time with his prostate. The prostate gland is found by inserting a well-lubricated finger into the anus and curving it towards the navel. It’s about the size of a golf ball, although much softer. It’s very similar to the G-spot so try stroking it, making circles or a windshield-wiper motion. Prostate play is a great addition to oral sex and it makes lots of guys’ toes curl. If you’re concerned about anal play and cleanliness, grab a glove. Some men worry that anal play is strictly gay; but remember, who you want to have sex with doesn’t have to have anything to do with what types of sex you like. (Expert Guide to Anal Play for Men or Bend Over Boyfriend are good references.)

To make your girl smile, give her clitoris or her A-spot (between her cervix and G-spot) some attention. It's at the deepest part of the vagina on the front wall, so if someone is on her back, insert a slim, curved vibrator or dildo and curve it upwards. If she’s face down, curve it down. Fingers can work if they’re a bit longer than average, too. There’s still some controversy about the A-spot and it’s not clear yet how much different women enjoy stimulating it but some women report that A-spot play leads to more vaginal lubrication and intense orgasms.

Quite a few women also report that perineum massage feels wonderful. In part, it’s because the perineal sponge is there. It’s a sort of, well, spongy tissue that engorges during arousal and it contains lots of nerve endings. Try a massage or using a vibrator there, especially during oral sex. In addition, massaging the perineum can help the pelvic muscles relax, which increases blood flow and can make both vaginal and anal penetration easier.

Of course, all of these technical skills and hot spots won’t make you a better lover if you’re not paying attention to your partner. Ask them what their favorite spots are and how they like to be touched. Some people have difficult describing what they like, but there’s an easy way to work with that. Give them two options and ask them which one they liked better. That can make it a lot easier to get the info you need to give your sweetie a thrill.

Come Story Telling with me!!! The Completed Story

DearSugar — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:22:09 -0700

I hope you all enjoyed this new feature as much as I did! Your wild imaginations made for a great story line! To read the completed tale you all helped create, read more

As I saw her walking through the Starbucks' door, my heart started to pound and my hands started to sweat. Did she really do it? Did she shave her head? While we all knew her hair would eventually fall out, I never expected her to shave her head before she even started treatment. She's so courageous, marching around town with a shaved head. I mean, I would hide it behind a Missoni head scarf or something. I can't believe she actually has cancer and she is dealing with it in such an admirable way. I've known her all my life and I can't confront it the way she has. What would I say? Nice new look? How's facing death? Before I had time to think, she spotted me, trotted over, and said you know what? It's all an act. I hate my job, I'm sleeping with my boss, and I didn't know how else to get out of going to work. How do I get out of this big hole I dug for myself? "With a wig, apparently" I said as I tried to process the information she just divulged. "I had no idea you were so vain and sleeping with your boss, Clay Aiken. You're going to have to retire from being his backup dancer unless you can figure out what's actually going on in this story that seems to make sense."

She gave me a strange look and then suddenly I awoke, in a panic. I was alone in the middle of an an abandoned warehouse with a huge bruise on my throbbing head. A blinding light shone on me and then he bangs on the table and shouts " TELL ME" "TELL ME, I KNOW YOU WHERE THEY ARE KEEPING IT" And, "CUT", yelled the director. I immediately sat up from the warehouse set floor where I was lying. "Tell me," the director said, "what were you thinking when you were having the bad dream?" "Oh I made this crazy story up about a friend of mine having cancer, and than sleeping with Clay Aiken it was really odd motivation for this scene I know..."

"Well whatever works! You were wonderful!" Watch out Lindsay and Mischa, there's another starlet on the block. Boy deciding to take this movie role about the scarred, raped, and tortured girl was sure starting to pay off. I mean just this morning before shooting began I was having my doubts about this. Before I moved out to LA, people always told me to be skeptical of criminals posing as "movie producers", waiting to take advantage of wanna be starlets hoping to be discovered. I'd heard horror stories of women being abused and taken advantage of. Thinking of those stories, a chill creep ed up my back. I looked around and realized I was alone in a warehouse with men I'd just met yesterday. I wondered if I'd been just a little too taken with their constant flattery to realize that I, too, could be a potential victim. Maybe I should have signed a contract, I thought to myself as I remembered Brad Pitt was my co star and realized that I didn't really care if there was a signed contract! Besides, hes flirting with me lots and this is my one chance to be the huge glamorous film star I've always wanted to be. I cant back out now! I've just seen that huge mansion I want to buy in the Hollywood Hills, the one that is next door to Health Ledger and Michelle Williams. I mean think about it: I'll ask Jen from Dawson's for butter while I'm baking, how fabulous! Now on to what needs to get done: hair and makeup! As I walked back to my trailer enjoying the brisk morning air I noticed that there was a note taped on my door with my name written across the front. Excitedly wondering what it said, I peeled it off and carefully opened it because it looked like the paper itself was worth a mere million dollars. "You looked beautiful on set today," the note read. I stared at it and wondered who it was from because the note wasn't signed and there was no name inscribed to the back of the note like most exec's here in Hollywood...not even a fingerprint!

Suddenly my dressing room door jerked open almost hitting me in the face, and Michelle leaned out to say "watch out!!" . At that moment, I was struck from behind by crew members riding in a golf cart. The next thing I remember was waking up in my hospital bed and my head was throbbing AGAIN!. My room was filled with flowers from all of my adoring fans and two guards were blocking the paparazzi from taking pics. When I looked up, there was a young, handsome doctor standing over me. With a concerned look, he leaned down, took my hand and said it's bad news-- you have to have a brain transplant but before we start can I have your autograph, my sister would kill me if I didn't get it, plus it would be worth a lot in time since you are the first actress in Hollywood to have such major surgery, apart from Micheal Jackson of course! "Yes, of course". I signed my name and handed back his clipboard. Just then my mother burst through the door and screamed ...... DARLING!! What are you wearing?!? And OK, OK. Yes. I was playing the part of a hooker. But it's a great paying job and an incredible experience and Julia Roberts did it and look where it got her.

I guess my mother wasn't used to seeing me look so grown up. I hadn't seen her since last Christmas when she invited herself to spend the holidays with me and my wonderful boy friend. sadly, after a week with my mother, my boy friend was no longer my boy friend. Now here was my dear mother playing fashion police and Emily Post when I needed Florence nightingale. My head was throbbing, my vision was blurry. Was that my mother!? or was it my ex-lover from college, you know, when I was experimenting? Who can tell right now. Did that doctor really say a brain transplant? Did I sign on to star in a daytime soap opera and not realize it? I just needed to shut my eyes and think, and make this throbbing stop. As I slowly opened my eyes I noticed another note similar to the one I had found on my trailer door right before the golf cart accident. I used all of my energy to pick up the beautiful paper and slide it open. My eyes blurred as I tried to read what was written, focus I told myself. I blinked and the writing became clear. It said 'Even bruised from the accident, you are beautiful. I will be waiting for you after surgery.' The note was again unsigned. Who could possibly be waiting for me? I thought. Who knew of the accident? My head hurt too much to think. I laid back and closed my eyes. That's when I felt a hand run down my chest and something cold placed over my heart. What was going on? I opened my eyes and saw my doctor. Dr. Derek Shepard. He asked me to breathe in slowly because he was making sure my lungs and heart were OK. He spoke softly and said "Meredith will you tell Izzy that she needs to scrub in on this?" Wait what did I just hear? Meredith? Izzy? Dr. Shepard? This isn't real! There's no way I am a patient on Grey's Anatomy. I shot up out of what was apparently a deep 4 minute sleep and realized I was in an empty hospital room and had horrible pain in my back and head from moving so abruptly. I groaned and gingerly lowered myself back onto the bed. As I lay there, head throbbing as though it had continuously throbbed since this whole debacle began, I began to panic. How much of what had happened in the last few days was real? How much of it was a delusion? Had it even been days? For all I knew, it could have been hours or months.

Just as the first stinging tears threatened to trickle down my cheeks, I heard a footstep in the hall. I froze. Who could it be? Will it be the nurse with syphilis, or George? No, this is crazy. I can't be on Grey's anatomy. The footsteps stop, and there is a shadow in my doorway. I say "hello?" but I realize I have no voice! What if I need to scream? What if i need to ask for help? My heart is pounding like a 5 year old with a drum set, and then the person emerges from the hallway. I gasp because my asthma had kicked in. I looked over to my window and noticed a lovely, flowering tree outside accompanied by the grating sound of a lawn mower. I said, to myself, "yay, allergies!" because remember, I can't talk. And now I can't breathe. I want to laugh because really, if I separated myself from my situation it's funny to see how powerless I am when just two months ago I had gotten to level 99 on my favorite video game. But anyway, the person that had walked in told me she wanted to give me a sponge bath. I looked closer and realized she was the person who had been writing me notes all day. I was right, all the nerves about not signing the contact, after going through this nightmare of a day... well it was all worth it when I realized it was my co-star writing me those notes, waiting for me in the hallway, and most importantly, waiting to give me a sponge bath! I waved him in the the rest in history!