Spermicide


What Is It?



Spermicides come in several different forms: cream, gel, foam, film,
and suppositories. Most spermicides contain nonoxynol-9, a chemical that
kills sperm. Spermicides can be used alone but are more effective when
used with another method of birth control, such as a condom or diaphragm.

How Does It Work?



Spermicides immobilize and kill the sperm before they are able to
swim into the uterus. To be effective, the spermicide must be placed
deep in the vagina, close to the cervix. Creams, gels, and foams are
squirted into the vagina using an applicator. Other types of spermicides
include vaginal contraceptive film (VCF), a thin sheet placed in the
back of vagina by hand, and vaginal suppositories.

Spermicides must be placed in the vagina before sexual intercourse.
The instructions will say how long before sex the spermicide should be
used. Some offer protection right away. But most must be placed in the
vagina at least 15 minutes before sex so they have enough time to
dissolve and spread.

All forms of spermicides are only effective for 1 hour after they are
inserted. If more than 1 hour goes by before having sex, or if you have
sex again, another application of spermicide is needed. When using
spermicides, girls should not douche for at least 6 hours after having
sex.

How Well Does It Work?



Over the course of 1 year, about 29 out of 100 typical couples who
rely on spermicide alone to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental
pregnancy. Of course, this is an average figure and the chance of
getting pregnant depends on whether you use spermicides correctly and
every time you have sex. Spermicides are most effective when used in
combination with another form of birth control.

In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends
on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health
conditions or is taking any medications that might interfere with its
use. It also depends on whether the method chosen is convenient — and
whether the person remembers to use it correctly every time.
Spermicides are not as effective on their own as other forms of birth
control. However, they are convenient, inexpensive, and easy to use.
Protection Against STDs



Spermicides alone are not effective against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).. For those having sex, condoms must always be used with spermicide to protect against STDs.

Abstinence (not having sex) is the only method that always prevents pregnancy and STDs.

Possible Side Effects



Spermicides may irritate the vagina and surrounding skin. This
irritation may make it easier to be infected with STDs like HIV. Another
possible side effect is recurrent urinary tract infections because the
spermicide can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in a girl's body.

Who Uses It?



People who can take responsibility for planning birth control in
advance of having sex and couples using condoms or other barrier methods
of contraception who want extra protection against pregnancy use
spermicides.

How Do You Get It?



Spermicides are available without a prescription and are found in
drugstores and some supermarkets (in some stores, they're in the "Family
Planning" aisle). They're often found near the condoms and feminine
hygiene products. But be careful when choosing a spermicide — the
packages may look like those of some feminine hygiene products, such as
douches or washes, which don't provide any birth control protection at all.

How Much Does It Cost?



Depending on the type of spermicide you choose (film is more
expensive than gel), spermicide costs only about $0.50 to $1.50 per use.