With the steady rise in the country's population today, the call for effective family planning programs and contraceptive methods can never be more essential and important.

We have heard all about them - condoms, diaphragms, vasectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, hormonal pills, hormone replacement therapy - but I am sure you haven't yet heard of the sponge birth control method.

The sponge birth control method has been in existence since the 1970's but it is only today that many people are considering the method and are beginning to actually try it for them selves. The slow progression in its development may be caused by two things - finances and convenience.

Back in the 1970's the first (or pilot) makings of the sponge method were very costly for the couple working at a regular company and earning regular salary. It is also very inconvenient because it would take up to 30 minutes to prepare this method for use.

30 minutes is already a lot of time and within those 30 minutes, your partner may already lose the zest to have sexual inter course with you. However, this method is more effective than condoms and diaphragms and at the same time without the consequences of a vasectomy or a ligation.

Thankfully, because of the numerous studies and research conducted on how to improve this particular birth controlling method, and studies on how to make it more convenient and accessible to the public, it finally has and you now have the choice to choose this option.

The sponge birth controlling method is actually easy. All you have to do is put a sponge that is soaked in a special solution and put it inside your vaginal orifice or your penal orifice.

There is no need to worry about bacteria or germ proliferation because this is a one time use like a condom but its vasectomy and ligation like effects lasts for about 12 hours after removing it from the vaginal or penal orifice.

So visit your gynecologist for an assessment if this is truly the method suitable for you and your partner.