Spermicide

Jessica Sennett

= **Spermicide** =

**__Spermicide__** is a chemical substance designed to kill sperm, thus preventing pregnancy. Spermicides are inserted in to the vagina, and may be used alone, or more effectively along with other contraceptives such as condoms or diaphragms (Kestelman, Trussell, 1991). The most common chemicals found in spermicides include nonoxynol-9, menfegol or benzalkonum chloride. These chemicals are designed to eradicate the sperm inside of the vaginal canal so that it is unable to reach and fertilize an egg.

**Types of Spermicides** Spermicides are available in many forms such as jelly, foam, cream, film, sponge or suppository. They are clear in color, non-staining, unscented, unflavored, and lubricative. · __ Cream, Jelly and Foam Spermicides __ :  Must be inserted deep into the vagina with a syringe-like applicator (see figures 1 and 2). Typically, foams have a higher concentration of spermicidal chemicals, and can be more irritating to the genitals.  · __Suppository spermicides__: Solid in form, and inserted by hand or applicator (see figure 2). However, upon insertion body heat inside of the vagina melts the waxy substance and lubricates the canal. Foaming tablets are a more recent option, and are also inserted by hand or applicator. · __ Sponge spermicides __ : The sponge is also about two inches in diameter, disposable, and coated with spermicide. You insert the sponge so that it covers the cervix, and blocks sperm from entering the uterus. It also releases a spermicide that kills sperm. It is soft and round, and has a loop attached to it to make removal easy. · __ Vaginal Contraceptive Film Spermicides __ : This spermicide contains a very high concentration of spermicidal chemical, about 28%. It comes in the form of a two by two inch square. To use this film, you fold the square in half twice, and place it on your fingertip. Using your finger, you insert it deep in to the vagina so that it adheres to the cervix.

**History of Spermicides** Spermicides are believed to be one of the oldest methods of contraception. There is documentary evidence dating back to 1850 BCE describing a mixture of crocodile dung and fermented dough, which was used as a spermicide. According to The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, the first-ever written prescription for a contraceptive (barrier method) tampon can be found in the Ebers Papyrus, a compendium of medical practices written in 1550 BC. By the 1950's, modern spermicides had been developed (Lech, 2002, p.173-177). Many of them contained non-oxynol-9, which is still being used in spermicides today ( http://www.ehow.com/about_5463460_vaginal-reactions-spermicides.html). __ Past failures __ Spermicides have a long and colorful history. Over the years, many home remedy spermicides have been tried. Of these, perhaps the most frightening was the use of Lysol by women as a post-coital douche. In desperation after the prohibition of contraception in the United States by the 1873 Comstock Act, Lysol was marketed as a feminine hygeine product and used by women in an attempt to prevent unwanted pregnancy. As time went on, creative uses for every day products as methods of birth control persisted. Saran wrap became the material utilized for a homemade condom, while Coca Cola became a popular after-sex spermicide in the 1950's. As explained by Mikkelson, (2011), the urban myth surrounding this use suggested that the carbonic acid in Coke killed the sperm and the sugar exploded the sperm cells, while the carbonation of the drink forced the jet of liquid in to the vagina (snopes.com). As one might expect, the efficacy of Coke as a spermicide is minimal. According to a Harvard research team, (2011) Coca Cola was only able to immobilize 30 percent of ejaculated sperm within one hour of intercourse. In reality, it actually increased the velocity of healthy sperm therefore increasing the chances of becoming pregnant (rdo-medical.com/homemade-spermicide).

** Effectiveness of Spermicides ** Like all other methods of birth control, the effectiveness of a spermicide depends largely upon using it correctly. In order to increase the efficacy, you must follow the directions explicitly. Regardless of the type of spermicide you choose, you should not insert the spermicide more than one hour before intercourse, and should wait for several minutes after insertion before having sex. With suppositories and the vaginal film, you must wait at least fifteen minutes after insertion for them to begin to release their contraceptive spermicide before intercourse. Used alone, spermicides are not a very effective means of birth control. If the instructions for their use are followed to the letter, over the period of one year 15 out of every 100 women using spermicides alone will become pregnant. Loosely following the instructions results in an even higher failure rate. In that scenario, 26 out of every 100 women will become pregnant in a one-year period (http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/femalebarrier2.html). The efficacy of spermicides increases if you use it in addition to other barrier methods of birth control. For example, if you use a spermicide in addition to a condom the number of pregnancies in 100 women over the course of one year reduces to 3 out of 100 (http://www.birthcontrol4u.com/spermici.htm).

** Availability ** Spermicides are an over-the-counter product, and do not require a prescription. They are commonly available at any pharmacy or drug store.

**Advantages** Using spermicide is simple and convenient. Once you learn how, inserting the spermicide is easy. Women like spermicide because:  · It can be carried in your pocket or purse.  · It can be inserted by a partner as part of sex play.  · It does not have an effect on a woman's natural hormones.  · It is very easy to get — in drugstores and some supermarkets.  · It does not require a prescription.  · It can be used during breastfeeding. (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/spermicide-4225.htm)

** Disadvantages ** Spermicide has several disadvantages: <span style="line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 7.5pt; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> · If not used exactly as directed, spermicides may not form a good barrier over the cervix. This may make the spermicide less effective. <span style="line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 7.5pt; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> · Some women complain that spermicides are messy or that they leak from their vaginas. <span style="line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 7.5pt; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> · Spermicide may irritate the penis or vagina. Switching brands may solve this problem. The most commonly used spermicide in the U.S. is called nonoxynol-9. Nonoxynol-9 has certain risks. If it is used many times a day, or if it is used by people at risk for HIV, it may irritate tissue and increase the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">(http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/spermicide-4225.htm)
 * ** Nonoxynol-9 **

<span style="line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">** References **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Are spermicides the right methods for you?. **(**http://www.birthcontrol4u.com/spermici.htm)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">(2009). “Spermicides” Center for Young Women’s Health. **(**http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/femalebarrier2.html).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">(2011). Does Homemade Spermicide Really Work?. (http://rdo-medical.com/homemade-spermicide).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">(2011). “Spermicide Effectiveness – Spermicides” (http://rdo-medical.com/homemade-spermicide).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Hughes, D.L. (2011). Vaginal Reactions to Spermicides | eHow.com. (http://www.ehow.com/about_5463460_vaginal-reactions-spermicides.html).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Kestelman P, Trussell J (1991). “Efficacy of the simultaneous use of condoms and spermicides” (http://jstor.org/stable/2135759).

Lech (2002). The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care. volume 7, p. 173-177.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Mikkelson (2011). Killer Sperm. (http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/sperm.asp).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Planned Parenthood Federation of America (2011). “Spermicides” (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/spermicide-4225.htm).