UCSB Student Health Service
UCSB
Student Health - University of California, Santa Barbara
HIPAA   Itemized Billing   Medical Records   After Hours Care   Emergency Info. 
General Info Clinical Services Health Education Meet Our Staff
HPV Vaccine           STI Testing              Hepatitis B            Email Clinician
Monday - Friday 8am - 430pm, Phone for an appointment 893-3371, Information 893-5361
Make an Appointment General Questions Prescription Refills
Student Health Home
Health Insurance
Patient Advocate
A-Z Health Information
Health Risks
Other Popular Sites
SHS - El Colegio Rd
A-Z Health Information

Spermicide

What is a spermicide and how does it work?

A spermicide is a chemical that is inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse to kill sperm and act as a barrier to the cervix. Spermicides are available in the form of foam (most effective), films, creams, jellies, and suppositories. Spermicide can also be found as the lubricant on many condoms.

How effective is spermicide?

If used consistently and correctly, spermicide alone is 94% effective.  If used "typically," that is, inconsistently or incorrectly some of the time, it is effective 79% of the time.  Spermicides are much more effective when used with other contraceptive options such as condoms, diaphragms, birth control pills, etc.

How do you use spermicides?

Spermicide comes in many different forms – suppositories, jellies, creams, films, and foams (most effective). Spermicides must be inserted before having intercourse – ranging from 10 min. to 1 hour. Use a new application for each act of intercourse or if there is a delay of intercourse. Because spermicides are not very effective in preventing pregnancy they should only be used with another form of contraception such as a condom. It is very important to follow the directions given with the spermicide because different types will have different directions.

Advantages of Spermicides

  • readily available over the counter, no exam is necessary
  • allow the woman to take an active role and shared responsibility in preventing pregnancy
  • causes no serious health risk
  • provide lubrication
  • inexpensive

Disadvantages of Spermicides

  • may interrupt lovemaking
  • may increase chance of urinary tract infection or bacterial vaginosis (a mild, treatable vaginal infection)
  • unpleasant taste
  • ineffective if used incorrectly
  • may cause allergic reactions or irritations, to you and/or your partner
  • may be messy or inconvenient
  • may not protect against transmission of STI's or may increase chance of transmission – read below

Do spermicides prevent STIs?

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been studying the use of spermicides for the prevention of HIV/STI transmission. Due to a recent study, the CDC does NOT recommend using spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 for the prevention of HIV/STI transmission. Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 can cause vaginal irritation and lesions leaving a woman to be more susceptible to STI's, including HIV.

After reviewing this information, UCSB Student Health Services does not recommend using condoms lubricated in spermicide. This is because the spermicide used in lubricated condoms contains nonoxynol-9.

For more information visit the Center for Disease Control web site, http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/mmwr/mmwr11aug00.htm


Source:
Robert A. Hatcher, et al. Contraceptive Technology, 17th ed. (New York: Irvington Publishers, Inc., 1998)
CDC – www.cdc.gov

Student Affairs Home UCSB Home
 Search Student Health Service
     Content maintained by Student Information Systems Webmaster
©2004 Regents of the University of California -- All information on this server and use there of is governed by the Student Affairs Web Server policies.