What are spermicides?
Spermicides are chemical barriers that consist of two components: a spermicidal chemical (most commonly nonoxynol-9) and a delivery base. Spermicides can be delivered through foam, cream, jelly, film, suppositories or tablets. They can be used alone or with another contraceptive method.
How do spermicides work?
They inactivate/kill sperm, making fertilization unlikely.
Who can use spermicides?
Any woman who wants to rely on this method for pregnancy prevention, including:
- Women who cannot or do not want to use hormonal methods
- Couples needing a back-up method of contraception
- Couples who have intercourse infrequently
- Women wanting a method that they can control
- Breastfeeding women who need contraception
Who should not use spermicides?
There are no contraindications for the use of spermicides. They are not generally recommended for women who have the following conditions:
- Cervical cancer (awaiting treatment)
- High risk of HIV
(For more information, see WHO eligibility criteria.)
Advantages
- Effective at preventing pregnancy when used consistently and correctly
- Safe
- No systemic effects
- Easy to initiate and discontinue
- Immediate return to fertility
- Do not require clinic visit
- Do not require partner cooperation
Disadvantages
- Not as effective as other methods, in typical use
- Side effects may include local irritation, especially if used several times a day, or local allergic reaction (rare)
- May interrupt sexual activity
- Can be messy
- Can make yeast infection or urinary tract infections in women more common
- Were formally thought to reduce the risk of STIs, but research on currently available spermicides has found no protection agains STIs
Follow-up and counseling
A scheduled return visit is not necessary. Counsel about:
- Correct and consistent use
- Common problems and how to overcome them
- Use of emergency contraception, as a back-up method for pregnancy prevention, in case of incorrect or inconsistent use of spermicides
- Lesser effectiveness of spermicides compared to other modern methods, particularly for women for whom pregnancy represents a significant health risk
