Spermicidal creams, foams and gels
Spermicides are gels, creams or foams that contain a chemical called Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) that destroys sperm. They are inserted into the vagina before intercourse and last for up to 1 hour.
Spermicides are only about 80% effective at preventing pregnancy so they should be used along with another form of birth control.
h3(#n9-risks). Nonoxynol-9 can increase your risk of infection
Frequent use of the common spermicide ingredient Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) can cause skin irritations that increase the risk of “HIV/AIDS”:/infections/hiv-aids and other infections. Because of these findings, N-9 is *not* recommended for infection protection and “safer sex”:/sex-safety/.
* More information about “Nonoxynol-9 risks”:http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/epiu-aepi/hiv-vih/nonoxynol_e.html from Health Canada
The best protection against “sexually transmitted infections”:/infections/ is a lubricated, non-spermicidal latex condom without N-9. However, *a condom lubricated with N-9 is better than no condom* at all. The protection you can get from a condom outweighs the risk of using the N-9.
h3. How do I get spermicide?
You can buy spermicide at any drug store.
