How to Use a Menstrual Sea Sponge Safely

14 min read
Natural reusable menstrual sea sponge ready for insertion

A menstrual sea sponge is a reusable internal period product made from natural sea sponge. It absorbs menstrual flow inside the vaginal canal and is removed, cleaned, dried and reused according to the manufacturer’s instructions. They are available in a range of sizes and bleached or unbleached varieties. 

Image of bleached and unbleached sponges

Using one safely involves more than simply rinsing and reinserting it. Natural sponges are porous, vary in shape and do not have standardised cleaning or wear instructions. The safest approach is to choose a sponge sold specifically for menstrual use, inspect it carefully and follow the directions supplied with that product.

Research on menstrual sea sponges is limited. Historical testing identified grit and microorganisms in some products. These findings do not prove that every menstrual sponge is unsafe, but they do mean that product quality, cleaning, wear time and replacement deserve particular care.

How to use a menstrual sea sponge: the quick guide

  1. Read the instructions supplied with your sponge.
  2. Wash and dry your hands.
  3. Inspect the sponge for debris, damage, loose pieces or an unusual odour.
  4. Clean it before first use using the brand-approved method.
  5. Wet it with clean water, squeeze out the excess and compress it between your fingers.
  6. Gently guide it into the vaginal canal, aiming towards your tailbone rather than straight upwards.
  7. Remove and clean it within the wear time set by the manufacturer, or sooner if it becomes saturated, leaks or feels uncomfortable.
  8. After use, clean it as directed and allow it to air-dry completely before storage.

Never force a sponge into place or continue wearing one that causes pain, pressure, burning or difficulty urinating.

What is a menstrual sea sponge?

A menstrual sea sponge is a piece of natural sea sponge shaped for internal menstrual use. Unlike a menstrual cup or menstrual disc, which collects menstrual fluid, a sponge absorbs it.

Hand holding a menstrual sea sponge

When wet, the sponge softens and can be compressed for insertion. Once inside the vaginal canal, it expands to fit the available space. Because it is a natural material, each sponge differs slightly in size, shape, density and texture.

Natural reusable sea sponges should not be confused with single-use synthetic menstrual sponges. Synthetic products have their own insertion, wear-time and disposal instructions. The menstrual sponge comparison chart explains the differences.

Before using a menstrual sea sponge for the first time

Choose a product intended for menstrual use

Do not insert a cosmetic, household or unlabelled sea sponge. Choose a product with traceable supplier information and clear instructions for menstrual use, cleaning, wear time and replacement.

Inspect the sponge carefully

Examine the sponge in good light before first use and again before every insertion. Gently separate the folds and look for:

  • sand, shell, grit or other embedded material
  • hard or sharp areas
  • tears, thinning, crumbling or loose pieces
  • persistent discolouration accompanied by a change in texture
  • an unusual or unpleasant odour

If you find embedded debris, damage, loose material or an odour that remains after cleaning, do not insert the sponge. Visual inspection cannot confirm that a sponge is free from microorganisms or chemical contaminants.

Clean it using the supplied instructions

Clean the sponge before first use using only a method approved by its manufacturer. Instructions differ between brands and some specifically advise against boiling. If your sponge arrived without clear care directions, contact the supplier before using it.

How to insert a menstrual sea sponge

  1. Wash and dry your hands. Use soap and clean running water.
  2. Wet the sponge. Hold it under clean water until it softens.
  3. Squeeze out excess water. The sponge should be damp and flexible, not dripping wet.
  4. Compress it. Pinch or roll the sponge into a narrow shape that is comfortable to hold.
  5. Find a relaxed position. You might sit on the toilet, squat or stand with one leg raised.
  6. Guide it in gently. Aim towards your tailbone, following the natural angle of the vaginal canal.
  7. Check the position. The sponge should sit fully inside the vaginal canal and feel comfortable. It does not need to be pushed against the cervix.

A small amount of water-based lubricant around the vaginal opening may help if insertion feels dry, but first check that your sponge manufacturer permits it. Stop if insertion is painful and do not keep trying against resistance.

If tampons, fingers, cervical screening or other vaginal penetration are regularly painful or difficult, an overactive pelvic floor or a condition such as vaginismus may be contributing. Speak with a healthcare professional rather than forcing an internal product into place.

How to remove a menstrual sea sponge

  1. Wash and dry your hands.
  2. Sit on the toilet, squat or choose another position that lets your pelvic floor relax.
  3. Bear down gently, as if having a bowel movement, to help bring the sponge within reach.
  4. Insert your thumb and index finger, locate the outer edge of the sponge and gently pinch it.
  5. Draw it down slowly, keeping it as level as practical to reduce spilling.
  6. Empty the absorbed fluid into the toilet, then clean the sponge using its approved method.

Do not use tweezers, scissors or another sharp object to retrieve a sponge. If you cannot remove it, stop repeated pulling, allow your muscles to relax and try again later. Seek medical assistance if it remains out of reach, removal causes significant pain or you develop unusual discharge, odour, bleeding, fever or pelvic pain.

How to clean a reusable menstrual sea sponge

There is no single cleaning method that applies to every menstrual sea sponge. Follow the instructions for your exact product and do not combine cleaning agents. A cleaned sponge should not be assumed to be sterile.

Between removals

  1. Rinse the sponge thoroughly under clean running water.
  2. Compress and release it repeatedly so water passes through the internal pores.
  3. Continue until the water runs clear and no visible menstrual fluid remains.
  4. Apply the brand-approved cleaning method when directed.
  5. Rinse thoroughly after any permitted cleanser or soak.
  6. If reinserting it immediately, squeeze out the excess water. If storing it, allow it to air-dry completely first.

Brand instructions are different

Natural Intimacy: Current instructions allow washing with mild soap or a timed soak using either a specified vinegar dilution or baking soda solution. The sponge should then be rinsed thoroughly and air-dried. The brand advises against boiling, harsh chemicals and soaking longer than directed.

Jade & Pearl Sea Pearls: Current instructions provide several permitted care methods and advise against boiling, harsh chemicals and soaking longer than recommended. Use only the method and quantities stated in the instructions supplied with your sponge.

Instructions and formulations can change. Recheck the current product directions instead of relying on a method remembered from a different sponge or brand.

Can you boil a menstrual sea sponge?

Do not boil a sea sponge unless the manufacturer explicitly instructs you to do so. Current instructions for both Natural Intimacy and Jade & Pearl advise against boiling because it can cause the sponge to shrink or toughen.

Can you use vinegar, baking soda, peroxide or essential oils?

Only if the manufacturer of your exact sponge specifies the ingredient, dilution and soaking time. Do not improvise a stronger solution, extend the soak or mix products together. Thoroughly rinse away any permitted cleaning solution before insertion and stop using the sponge if it causes irritation.

How long can you wear a menstrual sea sponge?

There is no universal maximum wear time for all sea sponges. Follow the current instructions for your product:

  • Jade & Pearl Sea Pearls: remove after 3–4 hours, or more frequently with heavier flow.
  • Natural Intimacy: remove and clean at least every 8 hours, or more frequently when needed.

Remove the sponge sooner if it becomes saturated, leaks, feels uncomfortable or develops an odour. Do not extend the recommended wear time to cover sleep or a long day. If overnight use would exceed your sponge’s instructions, choose another period product.

Can you trim a menstrual sea sponge?

Some natural sea sponges can be trimmed, but only if their manufacturer permits it.

  1. Start with a clean sponge and clean scissors.
  2. Trim a very small amount from an outer edge.
  3. Round any uneven or ragged areas.
  4. Do not tear the sponge or cut it in half.
  5. Clean it again and inspect it for loose pieces before insertion.

Trimming can adjust the shape but it cannot fix a sponge that is damaged, crumbling or unsuitable for your body. Compare available sizes and removal features in our menstrual sponge comparison chart.

When should you replace it?

Follow the replacement period stated by the manufacturer. Some brands suggest approximately 3–6 months with proper care, but this is not a guarantee that every sponge will remain suitable for that long.

Replace it sooner if you notice:

  • tears, thinning, crumbling or loose pieces
  • a lasting change in texture or firmness
  • embedded debris
  • an unusual odour that remains after cleaning
  • irritation, pain or recurrent symptoms during use

Staining on its own is not necessarily the same as deterioration, but staining combined with odour, damage or a texture change is a reason to replace the sponge.

Are menstrual sea sponges safe?

The evidence base is limited, so it is not possible to give menstrual sea sponges the same level of safety certainty as products with more standardised manufacturing and a larger body of research.

In historical US testing, natural menstrual sponges were found to contain sand, grit, bacteria, yeast and mould, with one sample confirmed to contain Staphylococcus aureus. A small 1982 study also found higher vaginal colonisation rates with several bacteria among sea sponge users than among users of tampons or pads.

More recent evidence adds caution but should not be overgeneralised. A 2023 case report described one adolescent with a retained sea sponge embedded in the vaginal wall. A 2025 laboratory study that included five sea sponges found higher leaching levels of several metals and metalloids in that small product group than in the other tested product categories. Neither study can establish the risk for every sponge or predict an individual user’s outcome.

In March 2026, the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s Women’s Health Products Working Group discussed concerns about access to and regulation of menstrual sponges, including opportunities for clearer standards and improved oversight. This was a regulatory discussion, not a finding that every menstrual sponge sold in Australia is unsafe.

Together, the evidence supports a cautious approach: use a traceable product intended for menstrual use, follow its instructions, wash your hands, respect its wear time and replace it at the first sign of deterioration. If you are uncomfortable with the remaining uncertainty, a cup, disc, tampon, pad or period underwear may be a better choice. Our guide to choosing between a menstrual cup, disc or sponge can help you compare options.

What about toxic shock syndrome?

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare but serious. Possible symptoms include a sudden high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, muscle aches, confusion and a red rash that resembles sunburn.

If you develop symptoms that could indicate TSS, remove the sponge if you can do so promptly, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to your nearest emergency department. Do not delay urgent care if you cannot remove the sponge yourself.

Speak with a healthcare professional before using an internal period product if you have previously had TSS.

Special considerations

Can you use a menstrual sea sponge with an IUD?

A sponge does not create the same seal as a menstrual cup, but removal may still bring fingers close to IUD threads. Ask the clinician who manages your IUD whether a sponge is appropriate for you. During removal, locate and grasp the sponge itself rather than pulling anything that feels like a thread.

Seek medical advice if you develop new pelvic pain, cannot feel your IUD threads, notice that they feel different or think your IUD may have moved.

Can you use one after birth, miscarriage or pelvic surgery?

Do not use a menstrual sea sponge to manage postpartum bleeding. After birth, miscarriage, abortion or a gynaecological procedure, use the external products recommended by your healthcare team until they confirm that internal products are suitable again. See our recovery-friendly period care options for external alternatives.

Can you have penetrative sex while wearing one?

Only use a sponge during penetrative sex if the manufacturer explicitly says that the product is designed for it. A sponge may move higher or become more difficult to reach, and reusable natural sponges are not interchangeable with single-use synthetic products marketed for period sex.

A menstrual sponge is not contraception and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Follow the product’s instructions about removal and replacement, and read our period sex tips for other practical considerations.

What if you have a heavy period?

A sponge may saturate quickly on a heavy-flow day, so check it sooner than the maximum wear time and use backup protection while learning your pattern. If you need to change a pad or tampon every 1–2 hours, bleed for more than eight days, pass clots larger than a 50-cent coin, bleed through clothing or find that bleeding disrupts daily life, speak with a healthcare professional.

You can also explore period care options for a heavy flow.

How to store a menstrual sea sponge

  1. Clean and rinse the sponge according to its instructions.
  2. Squeeze out excess water without twisting or tearing it.
  3. Place it on a clean surface where air can circulate around it.
  4. Allow it to dry completely.
  5. Store it in the breathable bag or container recommended by the manufacturer, away from moisture, dust and direct contamination.

Do not seal a damp sponge in an airtight container. Inspect it again before the next use.

The bottom line

A menstrual sea sponge can be a soft, low-profile reusable option, but it requires careful handling and the evidence base is limited. Use only a sponge intended for menstrual care, inspect it before every insertion and follow its specific cleaning, wear-time and replacement instructions.

If the sponge causes pain, irritation, unusual discharge, odour, urinary symptoms or bleeding that is different from your usual period, remove it and seek medical advice. If you develop possible TSS symptoms, call 000 or go to an emergency department.

If you are still deciding whether a sponge suits you, explore our complete guide to period sponges, use the Find Your Best Fit Quiz or visit the Menstrual Products Comparison Hub.

Not sure if your sponge is the right fit? Our interactive menstrual sponge troubleshooter checks trimming, placement, absorbency, and comfort before suggesting what to try next.

Start troubleshooting →

Related reading

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional if you have symptoms, pain or concerns about your health.

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