Is spermicide a safe contraceptive?
Most people do not experience any adverse physical problems when using spermicide; when they do, they will usually go away after terminating usage.
Some people are allergic to spermicide. Most spermicides contain the same active ingredient – nonoxynol-9. Nonoxynol-9 can irritate your vagina or your partner’s penis (especially if you use it more than once a day). This can lead to an increased risk of HIV and STI transmission. If you experience irritation when using a spermicide, then it may not be the best option for you.
Disadvantages of using spermicide
– It can be messy and/or leak out of your vagina.
– It works best if both partners are HIV-free. One of the active ingredients, nonoxynol-9, causes changes in sensitive skin. This makes you more susceptible to HIV. If you or your partner have HIV, have not been tested recently, or are having sex with different partners, you may want to choose a method that can help protect you from HIV transmission.
– The failure rate for spermicide alone is high. If you do not want to get pregnant, then you should use another method or use a spermicide in conjunction with another barrier method.
– It’s high effort because you need to apply it every time you have sex.
– You may not like the taste.
– It doesn’t protect against STIs.
– It’s hard to remember to use if you are drunk.
