Spermicide and gel
“Spermicide” describes a bunch of different creams, films, foams, gels, and suppositories that you insert deep into your vagina before sex to prevent pregnancy. On its own, spermicide provides some pregnancy prevention, but pairing it with another method is way more effective. Some condoms come coated in spermicide, or you can use a separate spermicide along with a condom. There are other methods, like the cervical cap and the diaphragm, that need to be used with spermicide to be effective.
Spermicide contains chemicals that prevent pregnancy in two ways. The first way spermicide works is by stopping sperm from moving normally. The second way is by keeping sperm from getting through your cervix and into your uterus. (Think of your cervix like a doorway between your vagina and your uterus.) In order for spermicide to work correctly, you have to insert it deep into your vagina, so that it actually covers your cervix.
Phexxi is a birth control gel that is similar to over-the-counter spermicide but is more effective. Phexxi is only available by prescription.
Types of Spermicides
Over-the-counter spermicides are gels, creams, foams, films, and suppositories that contain a chemical called nonoxynol-9. Nonoxynol-9 works to prevent pregnancy in two ways. The first way is by making sperm less able to move. The second way nonoxynol-9 works is that when you insert it deep into the vagina, it blocks sperm from getting through your cervix into your uterus.
Over-the-counter spermicide isn’t the most effective birth control method, but it’s more effective when it’s used with another method, like condoms. Some condoms come coated in spermicide, or you can use a separate spermicide along with a condom. There are other methods, like the cervical cap and the diaphragm, that have to be used with spermicide to be effective.
Over-the-counter spermicides are gels, creams, foams, films, and suppositories that contain a chemical called nonoxynol-9. Nonoxynol-9 works to prevent pregnancy in two ways. The first way is by making sperm less able to move. The second way nonoxynol-9 works is that when you insert it deep into the vagina, it blocks sperm from getting through your cervix into your uterus.
Over-the-counter spermicide isn’t the most effective birth control method, but it’s more effective when it’s used with another method, like condoms. Some condoms come coated in spermicide, or you can use a separate spermicide along with a condom. There are other methods, like the cervical cap and the diaphragm, that have to be used with spermicide to be effective.
Details
Costs
How to Use It
Every type of spermicide is different, and there are a lot of them available. So be sure to read the instructions on the packaging and check the expiration date. For the most part, though, you simply insert the spermicide with your fingers or with an applicator, just like you'd insert a tampon.
After insertion, some spermicides require that you wait ten minutes before having sex. These types of spermicide are also only effective for a single hour after you put them in—so you have to get the timing right.Side Effects
There are positive and negative things to say about each and every method. And everyone's different—so what you experience may not be the same as what your friend experiences.