[The contraceptive sponge].

This article describes the use of the Pharmatex vaginal tampon by 105 women at the Center for Birth Regulation at the Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris. The tampon measures 40 mm by 20 mm and is impregnated with 5 g of cream containing 1.2% benzalkonium chloride. The tampon becomes effective on insertion and can remain in place for 24 hours. 6 of the women were aged 20 or under, 38 were 21-30, 49 were 31-40, and 12 were 41 or over. 74 of the women had been pregnant at least once; the average number of pregnancies for the entire sample was 1.43. 60 women used the tampon from 1-6 months for a total of 204 months of use, 34 used it for 7-12 months for a total of 325 months of use, and 11 used it for over 12 months for a total of 143 months. 65 of the women stated they would continue use of the method. 36 of the 54 with no children and 44 with 1 or more children stated they would continue use of the method. 67% of nulliparous patients, 59.2% of parous patients, 59% aged 30 or under, and 61.9% aged 30 stated they would continue using the method. 32 of the 43 women for whom the pill and IUD were contraindicated stated they would continue to use the tampon. Of the 40 who discontinued use of the method, 26 preferred another method either because their sexual relations had become more frequent or regular r because insertion or removal of the tampon was difficult or disagreeable. 18 of the 26 switched to another vaginal method. 4 women desired to become pregnant, 3 had no further need of contraception, 1 was sterilized, and 2 had undesired pregnancies after failing to use the tampon regularly. No pregnancies were reported in women who used the tampon regularly. Tolerance for the tampon was very good. 1 woman interrupted use temporarily because of postcoital irritation in the partner. 4 other cases of minor irritation or itching were too insignificant to require discontinuation of the method.