however long it takes to clean up (typically a few seconds!) leaving the sponge in the vaginal canal for a prolonged period of time does not increase effectiveness.  find the complete set of instructions here. 

find the complete set of instructions here. if you have any additional questions, please email us at hey@awkwardessentials.com and we will be more than happy to help. 

in order to use the product, gently swirl and twist sponge as needed, while inserted in the vaginal canal.  and yes, you still must pee after sex. find the complete set of instructions here.

a tampon is a dense piece of cotton meant to absorb much more fluid for a long period of time. dripstick is made of a soft sponge that absorbs quickly (in a few seconds), and meant for less fluid (so you don't risk microtears in your vaginal walls!)

dripstick is NOT a form of birth control, STD/STI protection, or menstruation product.

our sample pack comes with three dripsticks so you can try them out before you commit to a bigger box.

the sponge is made from medical grade polyurethane (this is the same material as some condoms, the contraceptive sponge and the period sponge!) and polypropylene handle. there are zero additives. 

if you are having trouble with insertion, wait a minute for gravity to do it's thing! think about it like this - if the cum is deposited pretty deep inside of you and hasn't slid down yet, there is nothing for the sponge to absorb or slide against.

correct. the vagina is absolutely self cleaning - our product is only to be used if there are excess fluids present. and yes, you must still pee after sex.

"You need toilet paper for your ass, you need dripstick for your vagina - what's the problem?" - Our Founder Frances' Dad

"I need to understand the eggplant emoji so I can explain to [my best friend]" -Our Founder Frances' Mom

please email us at hey@awkwardessentials.com to submit any feedback. we want to help you!

Nope! Vaginal douching is washing the vagina with water or a mixture of fluids to eliminate odors and “clean” the vagina. Dripsticks contain ZERO additives or solutions. It's just a soft squishy sponge meant to absorb post-sex juices. :)

We totally understand your concerns. Let's bust the myths of what they're saying!

1. "This increases the chances of STIs."
We have not been a part of any of the studies being referenced. Dripsticks are NOT protection against STIs. We ALWAYS encourage safe sex practices and if you're engaging in sexual activities and there is chance of STIs, please encourage testing prior to doing so.

2. "Intravaginal cleaning is HARMFUL."
We have not been a part of any of these studies being referenced either. All studies that support this statement have been done on products, such as douches, that contain harmful chemicals and additives. These additives definitely can be harmful! Dripsticks contain zero additives, chemicals, or fragrances. They are not a form of intravaginal cleaning, and only to be used to absorb when there are excess fluids. It is the same surgical grade sponge practicing physicians and surgeons use preoperatively. Like the drip? No problem - dripsticks aren't for everyone!

3. "Dripsticks cause micro-tears in the vaginal canal."
Dripsticks are a soft and squishy medical-grade sponge! In the same way tampons should only be used when you are on your period, dripstick should only be used if there are excess fluids in the vagina. If Dripsticks cause you any amount of discomfort, please discontinue use and reach out to us directly at hey@awkwardessentials.com. We are happy to provide additional tips for usage or give you a full refund. Every vagina is different and we fully understand they aren't for anyone.

4. "These are terrible for the environment!"
We hear you! This is fully on our radar and we're working with our product development team to create a more eco-friendly version. Unfortunately, when bodily fluids get involved it becomes a biohazard and difficult to create a reusable or recyclable version.

Want to hear more from multiple OBGYNS? Check out our Doc Talk page.

Want to ask your personal OBGYN about dripstick? Contact us and send us their information - we are happy to send them a sample!

oh yes we do! all u.s. orders are eligible for free shipping via USPS :)

shipping typically takes between 3-5 business days, but please note there are shipping delays across the country due to covid-19. we appreciate your patience!

yes! all orders ship in 100% discreet packaging. we ship in a plain, unbranded box with Frances Tang (our founder!) as the sender.

please note: if you are an international customer, it may be required for us to note what the product is on the shipping label. 

we ship from our warehouse in Austin, TX! 🤠

we currently ship to the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia and EU. for an exhaustive list of countries we ship to, please visit our international shipping page.

shipping costs vary by location, to calculate your cost just enter your shipping address at checkout. please note that import duties, taxes, and brokerage fees are not included in the product price or shipping and handling cost. you may be responsible for these fees upon arrival, we recommend checking with your country's customs office to determine if there will be additional costs!

each order has a specific tracking number that will be emailed to you after your order ships. if you no longer have access to the email, you can request your tracking information by emailing us at hey@awkwardessentials.com or hopping on our live chat. 

note: due to shipping delays across the country, please allow additional time for your order to arrive. thank you for understanding! 

please reach out to us at hey@awkwardessentials.com and we'd be happy to resolve the issue ASAP!

sometimes, our packages will be delivered to a neighbor, a mail center, or a management office. if you look around and are still unable to find your order, just email hey@awkwardessentials.com and we'll make sure you get your product.

no! if you don't want a subscription, simply choose "one time purchase" when ordering your dripsticks. if you would like a subscription, choose "subscribe + save" and choose the frequency at which you would like to receive your dripsticks :)

it's easy! when placing your order just choose your pack size and the frequency at which you would like to receive your dripsticks.

because who would complain about making life easier? you'll save time with auto-deliveries, get 5% off each order, and never risk the dreaded post-sex-omg-i'm-out-of-dripsticks moment.

right now, our 10 and 20-packs of dripstick are available for subscription. if you'd like to see more products added to our subscription program, let us know!

it's up to you! choose between a 30, 60 or 90-day cadence when you place your order.

yes, your subscription will be renewed automatically according to your original settings. however, you can change the subscription preferences in your profile by choosing to adjust, skip, or cancel the subscription.

of course! you’re able to make changes to your next delivery by selecting: manage subscription in your Awkward Essentials profile at least 24 hours prior to your next renewal date. if your order processes with any incorrect information, simply edit your info on the account page.

in order to meet the deadline of your next subscription delivery, you need to make changes to your order at least 24 hours before your next renewal date.

of course! to skip a delivery or place a hold on your subscription, select manage subscription on your Awkward Essentials account page.

to cancel your subscription, select manage subscription on your Awkward Essentials account page.