Do spermicides help prevent pregnancy?

What are spermicides

Spermicides are chemical contraceptives that do not give spermatozoa to fertilize the egg. They usually need to be inserted into the vagina some time before sex in order for the active ingredient to work. Many couples prefer combine them with other methods of contraception - for example, there are condoms with spermicidal lubricant for greater protection.

Although the name is derived from the Latin Caedere, in fact, these funds do not kill anyone, but only do not allow conception to occur. The active substances (nonoxynol-9, benzalkonium chloride and others) block the entrance to the cervix, slow down the movement of spermatozoa and destroy their membranes to prevent them from reaching the egg.

What are the benefits of spermicides?

Have chemical contraception There is several advantages:

• This is a non-hormonal remedy.
• Before use, you do not need to consult a gynecologist, as, for example, before taking oral contraceptives.
• There are many forms of spermicides to choose from.
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• Spermicides are easy to buy: they are available in regular pharmacies and do not require a prescription to purchase.
• The method is relatively inexpensive.
• Spermicides are fairly easy to use, unlike a cervical diaphragm or a female condom.

What are the disadvantages of spermicides?

However, spermicides There is and serious shortcomings:

• You need to follow the instructions very carefully, otherwise the effectiveness will immediately decrease.
• Spermicides must be placed in the vagina beforehand and renewed before the “next round”, so they are not very suitable for spontaneous sex.
• Chemical contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
• Spermicides can cause irritation (in women in the vagina, and in men on the head).
• Irritation increases the risk of contracting HIV and other infections.
• When using spermicides, urinary tract infections are more likely to occur.

Do spermicides help prevent pregnancy?

Helpful, but not very effective. Ideally, out of 100 women who use only chemical contraceptives, will become pregnant within a year 18. But due to the human factor, this number increases to 28 women, which is almost a third.

So spermicides are one of the least effective methods of birth control. Therefore, it is better not to rely only on them and add some other barrier method: condom, cap or diaphragm.

What are spermicides

Spermicides available in various dosage forms: lubricants, capsules, tablets, suppositories, sponges and barrier contraceptives with additional chemical protection.

Gel or cream

Sold in tubes with an applicator that needs to be inserted deep into the vagina and release the spermicide. It is best to do this 15 minutes before sexual intercourse. The advantage of this form is that it provides additional lubrication.

Foam

This is a balloon that you need to shake, and then insert the applicator into the vagina and release the foam. This dosage form starts to work faster, but it only lasts about half an hour, so you need to be on time.

Candles or tablets

A suppository or tablet that needs to be inserted as deep as possible into the vagina for at least 15 minutes so that they have time to dissolve and begin to work.

Sponges

It's literally a small sponge soaked in spermicide. It needs to be wetted with water and inserted into the vagina. This can be done even 24 hours before intercourse, which is very convenient, but after it, she must remain inside for another 6 hours. The sponge acts not only as a spermicide, but also as a barrier - it covers the neck, so the effectiveness of this form is higher. But this is the most expensive and hard-to-find version of spermicides - you still need to try to find it on sale.

condoms

There are condoms with spermicide already applied. They provide additional security in case the latex breaks through. Such models are slightly more expensive than standard ones and deteriorate a little faster, but they combine as many as two methods of protection at once.

How to use spermicides

All spermicidal products, except for condoms, have approximately the same method of application. Here are the steps you need undertake.

Read the instructions

Different forms usually have a difference in how long the remedy needs to be applied and how long it needs to be left in the vagina. In addition, the instructions will indicate the desired dosage of the product if the package is designed for several uses, for example, as a tube with a gel.

Insert the drug into the vagina

The closer the spermicide is to the cervix, the more effective it will work. Therefore, both the candle and the applicator with the gel should be tried to insert very deeply.

Wait

Depending on the form, you need to wait a while. Usually it is about 10-15 minutes, but sometimes you have to wait up to half an hour. If you did everything, but there was no sex after 30 minutes, check in the instructions if you need to enter more funds.

Update if necessary

If sexual intercourse is delayed or you decide to repeat, you may need to reapply spermicide. The instructions for each dosage form will indicate how to do this correctly and how much to inject.

Don't flush

All spermicides must be left inside for a while, so after sex, in no case should you douche (in general, douche anyway). it is forbidden). But even washing or rinsing the genitals can reduce effectiveness. The instructions will tell you how long to wait for each specific drug.