Can spermicide gel be used alone?

For use alone—One applicatorful of a 3.5, 4, or 5% gel inserted into the vagina before each time you have sexual intercourse. The 3.5% gel may be used up to twenty-four hours before each act of intercourse. The 4% gel may be used up to one hour before each act of intercourse.

Can sperm survive spermicide?

Spermicides don’t kill sperm. Instead, they stop the semen from moving, which decreases sperm motility. The woman applies it near her cervix so the sperm can’t enter into the uterus. When you use spermicide correctly and consistently along with male condoms, it’s 98 percent effective.

How long does it take for spermicide to work?

Most must be placed in the vagina at least 10 to 15 minutes before sex so they have enough time to dissolve and spread. Many forms of spermicides are effective for only 1 hour after they are inserted. More spermicide should be used if more than 1 hour passes before sex, or if a couple is going to have sex again.

How effective is the pull out method with spermicide?

Spermicide is 82 percent effective with perfect use. With typical use, it’s only 72 percent effective.

Will I get pregnant if I use spermicide?

Spermicide used alone has a high failure rate of 28% for typical users. This means that in 1 year, 28 out of 100 women who use spermicide as their only method of birth control get pregnant. The perfect use failure rate is still high, at 18% (18 out of 100 women).

Who has gotten pregnant from pull out method?

This is similar to a pregnancy rate of about 18% with the common use of condoms. However, when used perfectly every time, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that 4% of people using the pull-out method will become pregnant. This is similar to condoms, which have a 2% chance of pregnancy when used perfectly.

Is spermicide an effective form of birth control?

Spermicide isn’t a very effective birth control method when used alone. However, you can use spermicide with a barrier method – such as a condom, diaphragm or cervical cap – to improve its effectiveness with preventing pregnancy. Spermicide doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections.

What are the disadvantages of spermicide?

Some of the disadvantages of spermicides are that they: do not provide protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs); are not considered an effective form of contraception when used alone; may produce side effects such as vaginal or penile irritation;

How do spermicides work as birth control?

What is spermicide? A vaginal spermicide is a form of birth control that prevents pregnancy by disrupting the cell membrane of the sperm. Spermicides can be found in a wide variety of formulation – like gels, foams, and films. All types of spermicide are inserted in the vagina, near the cervix shortly before sexual intercourse.

Does spermicide prevent STDs?

Studies show that spermicides don’t prevent STDs. Frequent use of spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 may actually cause irritation and small tears of the genital tissue, making it easier to get HIV and other STDs. If irritation of the vagina or penis develops, stop using those spermicides and follow up with your doctor.