Spermicide: Basic Info
"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.
Quick Facts
Pretty effective if you use it correctly. Can be put in up to an hour before sex and doesn’t affect your hormones.
- Effectiveness
Spermicide on its own, without a barrier method like a diaphragm or condom, is pretty effective the way most people use it. Prescription-only spermicide is more effective than over-the-counter spermicide.
Perfect Use: 84% to 93% effective.
Typical Use: 79% to 86% effective.
- Hormones
Spermicide is hormone-free.
- Side effects
Irritation or urinary tract infections are possible.
- Cost
Anywhere from $0 to $32 per dose.
- STI protection
Spermicide doesn’t protect against STIs.
- Ongoing effort
You have to apply a dose of spermicide before each time you have penis-in-vagina sex.
Different Types
Prescription spermicide (Phexxi)
Phexxi is a prescription-only birth control gel that is similar to over-the-counter spermicides in how you use it, but it works a little differently. You insert Phexxi right before sex to prevent pregnancy. Phexxi works by keeping the pH inside the vagina within its naturally acidic (lower) pH range. Semen has a basic (higher) pH, which is the opposite of an acidic pH. Because sperm need a basic pH environment to function, keeping the vagina acidic makes it harder for sperm to move.
Phexxi is more effective at preventing pregnancy than over-the-counter spermicides.
Over-the-counter spermicide
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.
