Spermicide

IF YOU’VE GOT NO OTHER OPTIONS
The failure rate of spermicide on its own is pretty high—29% for typical use—but it’s better than using nothing at all.

“BOOST” ANOTHER METHOD
You can use spermicide to make another method (like condoms) more effective.

NO PRESCRIPTION NECESSARY
If you can’t make it to the doctor (or don’t want to), you can always use spermicide. It’s available at most drug stores and supermarkets. But why not pick up a pack of condoms while you’re at it?

SOME PEOPLE ARE ALLERGIC
If you get irritated using spermicide, you’re probably allergic to it. Unfortunately, all spermicides and contraceptive gels sold in the United States contain the same active ingredient, Nonoxynol-9. If you’re allergic to that, this method (and condoms with spermicidal lubricant) won’t work for you.

YOU’RE CONFIDENT YOUR PARTNER IS HIV-FREE.
People who have a high risk of exposure to HIV shouldn’t use this method. Nonoxynol-9 causes changes in your vagina that can make you more susceptible to HIV. If there’s a chance your partner is sleeping around (or has in the past and has never been tested), use a condom.

EVERY TYPE OF SPERMICIDE IS DIFFERENT, and there are a lot of them available. So be sure to read the instructions on the packaging and check the expiration date. For the most part, though, you simply insert the spermicide with your fingers or with an applicator, just like you’d insert a tampon.

After insertion, some spermicides require that you wait ten minutes before having sex. These types of spermicide are also only effective for a single hour after you put them in—so you have to get the timing right.

THERE ARE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE THINGS TO SAY about each and every method. And everyone’s different—so what you experience may not be the same as what your friend experiences.

THE POSITIVE
Positive “side effects”? You bet. There are actually lots of things about birth control that are good for your body as well as your sex life.

• Easy to use and convenient to get a hold of


• Doesn’t affect your hormones


• No prescription necessary


• Can be used while breastfeeding

THE NEGATIVE
Everyone worries about negative side effects, but for most people, they’re not a problem.

• Can be messy and/or leak out of your vagina


• Might irritate your vagina or your partner’s penis


• Some people are allergic to spermicide


• You may not like the taste


• All spermicides sold in the U.S. contain Nonoxynol-9, which can cause irritation (especially if you use it more than once a day). That can lead to an increased risk of HIV and STI transmission

WE’RE HERE TO GET THIS METHOD WORKING BETTER FOR YOU. And if it still doesn’t feel right, we’ve got ideas for other methods. Just remember: If you change methods, make sure you’re protected during your switch.

I FIND SPERMICIDE IRRITATING.
The irritation might be because of the brand of spermicide you’re using, so you might want to try out another kind. If you’re allergic to Nonoxynol-9 (the main ingredient in all spermicides/contraceptive gels sold in the United States), however, check out another method.

THE SPERMICIDE I’M USING IS REALLY MESSY.
You could try switching brands and making sure you’re using your spermicide exactly as the instructions say you should. That said, spermicide is messy. If it bothers you, you might want to look into another method.

Still not working?
If spermicide isn’t working for you, you may want to try a long-term, low-maintenance method like the IUD, the implant, or the shot. If you prefer a non-hormonal method without spermicide, you might want to try the ParaGard IUD or condoms.