Spermicides
What is a spermicide?
A spermicide is a chemical used for birth control. It
contains chemicals that kill sperm. Spermicides come in
different forms, such as foam, gel, cream, film,
suppository, and tablet. They can be bought at a drug
store.
Spermicide is inserted into a woman's vagina before sex. It
destroys the sperm in a man's semen before the sperm reach
the uterus. Spermicides are not very good when used alone
to prevent pregnancy. They work better when they are used
with another form of birth control, such as a diaphragm,
cervical cap, or condom.
How is it used?
- Make sure you read the label on the spermicide package
carefully for any special directions or precautions.
Some forms of spermicide may be effective for just a
short time. Some may take a certain amount of time to
dissolve. Consider these differences when you are
choosing and using a spermicide.
- Put the spermicide in your vagina no more than 1 hour
before sex.
- Use the applicator provided with the spermicide to insert
the spermicide high in the vagina around the cervix.
(The cervix is the opening of the uterus.) The
spermicide should cover the cervix. If you use a
film, suppository or tablet, you must wait 15 minutes
before having sex so the spermicide can dissolve. Follow
the package directions.
- If the spermicide has been in the vagina more than an
hour before sex, put in more spermicide. Spermicides
work only if you put more in BEFORE each time the man
ejaculates ("comes"). This is very important.
- If you are using a spermicide with a diaphragm or
cervical cap, check the package to make sure you are
buying a product made for this use.
- If you are using a spermicide with a diaphragm, leave the
diaphragm in for 6 to 8 hours after intercourse before
removing it.
- Douching may make the spermicide not work as well. If
you feel you need to douche, wait at least 6 to 8 hours
after you have had sex. Remember that douching is not a
way to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted
infections.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of spermicides are:
- When used with another barrier method of birth control,
such as a diaphragm, they are 84 to 94% effective in
preventing pregnancy.
- No doctor visits or prescriptions are needed.
- They are widely available in drug and grocery stores.
- They are relatively inexpensive, and they are convenient
to carry and use.
- They help lubricate the vagina (creams especially).
What are the disadvantages?
The disadvantages of spermicides include:
- They are only 71% to 82% effective in preventing
pregnancy when used alone during intercourse.
- The sperm-destroying chemicals stop working after a
fairly short time. This means that if you are going to
have sex, you cannot wait longer than 30 minutes after
the spermicide is inserted into the vagina.
- In rare cases, allergic reaction to the chemicals causes
a feeling of burning, itching, or redness.
- Spermicides do not protect against sexually transmitted
diseases. A latex or polyurethane condom is the best
protection against sexually transmitted diseases,
including HIV/AIDS.
- Some spermicides have an ingredient called nonoxynol-9
(N-9). This chemical can irritate the skin around the
vagina, penis, or rectum. Irritation from frequent use
of spermicides with N-9 may increase your risk of getting
HIV/AIDS if your partner is infected. If you have sex
more than once a day or have anal sex, it is probably
better not to use spermicides. Use a new condom each
time you have sex plus a backup birth control method in
case the condom breaks.
Developed by David W. Kaplan, MD and Phyllis G. Cooper, RN, MN.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.