Nonoxynol-9 and STDs: The dangers of using spermicide

Spermicide is often found in condoms these days. As the name states, spermicide is formulated to kill sperm, so it is useful particularly when trying to prevent pregnancy. However, like with all things in life, it is important to learn about its downsides and possible dangers.

QJSex: Spermicides

Spermicides are meant to eliminate sperm, and sperm only. Spermicides can’t be used to target other biological agents, such as STIs. In fact, using spermicides will make it more likely that an STI will be transferred if one partner has an STI.

A Complete Guide To Spermicidal Lube

Spermicide is one of the earliest methods of birth control and comes in several forms. The first use, of what would be considered a spermicide, dates back to 1850 BCE in Egypt. It was a mixture of crocodile poo and fermented dough. What a combination! Can you imagine the smell? It’s a wonder sex happened at all with that concoction. Around 1906, the first spermicidal jelly was developed, and in the 1950s, nonoxynol-9 was discovered. It is what is currently used in most spermicides of today.

Are condoms with spermicide a good idea?

And here’s the big kicker. Spermicide is essentially caustic (that’s how it kills those little buggers). Therefore, it damages the ecosystem and delicate skin of the vagina (it’s a secret garden in there, boys). Because of this, condoms with spermicide actually increase a woman’s risk of getting a bladder infection and can damage local defense mechanisms enough that the risk of catching an STD actually increases! So ditch the condoms with spermicide.

Comparing Spermicides

Spermicide is a substance used for contraceptive that kills sperm. In order to prevent pregnancy effectively, spermicide should be inserted into the the vagina before sexual intercourse. Most spermicides, other than Lanzas Contraceptive Jelly, are not strong enough to be used on their own as your only form of contraception. The failure rate of using only spermicide as a contraceptive is higher than using other forms of birth control.

Condoms and Spermicides

A spermicide is a chemical that kills sperm. One type of spermicide, Nonoxynol-9, is the main active ingredient in nearly all popular brands (foams, creams, jellies, vaginal tablets, suppositories and sponges). ther are many brand names of spermicides, including Ortho-Creme, Gynol II, Semicid, Conceptrol and delfen. A spermicide can be used alone as a method of birth control. But because the failure rate is so high, it is often used with condom.

Docs: 'Nonoxynol-9 Doesn't Work'

Wilkinson implied that health officials are concerned about nonoxynol-9's effectiveness as a contraceptive. "As for pregnancy, it doesn't do a whole lot against that, either," Wilkinson said.

Effects of Long-Term Use of Nonoxynol-9 on Vaginal Flora

This longitudinal investigation did not show dramatic effects of nonoxynol-9 on the vaginal ecologic system. The most significant risk factor for being colonized with an organism after spermicide use was baseline colonization, not nonoxynol-9 exposure.

Health Dangers using Condoms containing Nonoxynol-9 Spermicide

There are many factors to be considered when deciding on a spermicide including potential side effects, health risks and which form of spermicide will work best with your preferred method of contraceptive barrier.

Insights of Spermicidal Research: An Update

How well spermicides prevent pregnancy is highly variable depending on whether they are used correctly and consistently. Their effectiveness also depends upon whether they are used in addition to another barrier method, such as the diaphragm, cervical cap, or condom.

Let’s Talk Contraception: Is Spermicide Effective?

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 0.5 percent of all contraceptive users surveyed in 2010 relied on spermicides as their contraceptive. Although not used often, they are a part of the contraceptive choices sexually active people have to prevent pregnancy. How effective are they, however?

Spermicidal Condoms - We say NO

Simply stated, the spermicide N-9 did not protect against HIV infection and may have caused more transmission. Women who used the spermicide N-9 also had more vaginal lesions, which might have facilitated HIV transmission.

Spermicides out, pills in: 8 contraception trends you probably didn't know

How many people go to family planning clinics, who are they and what forms of contraception do they leave with? New numbers show seismic shifts in people's contraception choices.

Sponge

Of 100 women using this method for one year, 12 to 24 of them may become pregnant. Your risk of getting pregnant is much higher if you have had a baby, or if you do not use the sponge correctly each time you have sex.

The perfect threesome: Pulling out + spermicide + Caya

The new Caya diaphragm pairs well with some spermicide and the oldest birth control method.

Vaginal sponge and spermicides

Spermicides and vaginal sponges do not work as well at preventing pregnancy as some other forms of birth control. However, using a spermicide or sponge is much better than not using birth control at all.

What Spermicide Users Should Know, But Often Don't

Dozens of condoms, vaginal films, jellies, foams and sponges containing the N-9 spermicide are available online or at local pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. Medical professionals say they are perfectly safe as long as they are used as directed: not used more than once a day, and not used for anal intercourse, with multiple partners or with a partner who has HIV.

A trifunctional contraceptive gel enhances the safety and quality of sexual intercourse

Our novel TGN contraceptive gel yielded a higher contraceptive success rate than that of a commercial product (Contragel®).