Choosing a Birth Control Method.

Association of Reproduction Health Professionals

Abstinence/outercourse

Tube of spermicide Spermicides

Spermicides - chemicals that kill sperm-include foams, creams, jellies, film, and suppositories. They are inserted deep into the vagina shortly before intercourse. Spermicides are also used with condoms.

Some spermicides may help prevent sexually transmitted diseases-called STDs for short-which are diseases, infections, or illnesses that can spread from one person to another through sexual contact. Some examples of STDs are chlamydia, herpes, HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

What you need to do:

Plan ahead and have the products available whenever you have sex. If not used exactly as directed, these products may not form a good barrier over the cervix. Spermicides should not be used in place of a lubricant (especially for anal sex).

Couples should learn about Emergency contraception before using any contraceptive method. Sometimes called the "morning after pill," Emergency contraception reduces the chance of getting pregnant after unprotected sexual intercourse.

Pros:

They are easy to buy in drugstores and some supermarkets.
No prescriptions or fittings are needed.
Once learned, insertion is easy and may be done by your partner as part of sex.

Cons:

Some couples complain of messiness or leakage.
Some spermicides may irritate the penis or vagina; switching brands may solve this problem.

Effectiveness:

This guide gives effectiveness percentages for two categories of contraceptive use: typical use, which includes people who may not always use a method exactly how and when they were supposed to use it, and perfect use, which indicates how effective the method would be if it were always used correctly.

Perfect use: For women who use spermicides correctly every time they have sex, 6 women out of 100 might become pregnant in one year.
Typical use: For typical users, 21 women out of 100 might become pregnant when using spermicides for one year.

Available spermicides

Contraceptive foams block the entrance to the uterus with bubbles and contain a spermicide, preventing it from joining with an egg.

Contraceptive creams, jellies, film, and suppositories melt into a thick liquid throughout the vagina. They block the entrance to the uterus and contain spermicide.