Spermicide

How Spermicide Works

There are many types of birth control on the market ranging from pills to injections. One option that has been around for many decades is spermicides. Spermicides are often used in conjunction with other birth control barriers, including caps,...

Side Effects of Spermicide

Spermicide comes in a variety of forms including gels, vaginal suppositories and contraceptive film. The spermicide disables sperm from entering the uterus and causing fertilization of an egg, or pregnancy, to occur. The contraceptive has a...

How Do Spermicidal Condoms Work?

Condoms comes in many varieties, and both female and male condoms can include spermicidal protection. Some condom manufacturers produce condoms that are pre-coated with spermicide to make them more effective protection against pregnancy, most...

3 Ways to Use Spermicides for Birth Control

Buy spermicides without a prescription at your local drugstore. They are a relatively inexpensive form of birth control and are easily available. However, the failure rate of spermicides as a birth control method is 25 to 50 percent. Use...

Three Ways To Use Spermicides For Birth Control

Buy spermicides without a prescription at your local drug store. They are a relatively inexpensive form of birth control and are easily available. The failure rate of spermicides as a birth control method is anywhere from 25 to 50 percent. Use...

Spermacide

Spermicide gets its name from a sperm-killing chemical that helps prevent unwanted pregnancies. As one of the oldest forms of contraception, spermicide has been around since 1850. Spermicide is inexpensive, easy to apply and can be purchased...

Nonoxynol 9 Allergy Symptoms

Nonoxynol-9 is a common ingredient found in all spermicide in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 can be used alone or with condoms, cervical caps and other contraceptive methods. Nonoxynol-9 works...

How Effective is Vaginal Contraceptive Foam?

Women seeking to prevent pregnancy have many contraceptive choices, including vaginal foam. Vaginal foam is an easily available and cheap form of contraception, with few of the long-term side effects of other choices, such as hormonal birth...

Condoms, HIV and Nonoxynol-9

Years ago it was thought that the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 that was added to condoms and sexual lubricants would help prevent both unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. After a decade of research, it...

Birth Control With the Least Side Effects

Hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills or the birth control shot are effective ways to prevent pregnancy. These method often have side effects including weight gain, menstrual changes and mood swings. Non-hormonal barrier methods are...

Smart Shopping for Diaphragms

A diaphragm is a barrier method of contraception similar to the cervical cap. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped contraceptive device for women that is made of thin rubber in the center with a thicker, flexible rubber edge. It is filled with...

Contraceptive Sponge

Overview The Today Sponge combines a spermicide with a barrier contraceptive. It offers an immediate and continuous presence of the spermicide nonoxynol-9 throughout a 24-hour period, allowing for as many acts of intercourse as desired within...

Contraceptive Sponge Side Effects

The contraceptive sponge is a barrier form of birth control that contains the spermicide nonoxynol-9. The doughnut-shaped sponge is inserted into the vagina just before intercourse and removed after at least six hours. The spermicide is effective...

Encare Contraceptive Side Effects

Encare contraceptive gel is a spermicide designed to prevent pregnancy. Although this spermicide can be effective, especially when combined with the use of a condom or diaphragm, there are potential side effects. Despite Encare being available...

What Are the Safest Contraceptives?

It may be difficult trying to decide which method of contraception is the right choice for you and your partner. Learning about the different types of contraception, associated risks and side effects, and efficacy is important. No method of...

How Does a Vaginal Contraceptive Film Work?

Vaginal Contraceptive Film (VCF) is a thin square of material that dissolves quickly when it comes in contact with vaginal fluids. It has a pregnancy prevention rate of about 71 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic. The VCF should be put into...

Female Condoms

As an alternative for women who can't take birth control pills, some women turn to female condoms for their desired mode of contraception. Female condoms are sheer, large balloon-like condoms (larger than a male condom). Female condoms are...

How Contraceptives Work

Oral contraceptives, also called the birth control pill, supply the body with the synthetic versions of the hormones progesterone and sometimes estrogen. Progesterone (also known as progestin) and estrogen are two types of female sex hormones....

3 Ways to Prevent Cervicitis

By far most cases of cervicitis are caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs are almost entirely preventable by practicing safe sex, which means using a condom 100 percent of the time. Beyond that, it's wise to limit your sexual...

Cervical Caps

The cervical cap is a birth control device that functions similarly to a diaphragm, except that it is smaller and fits tightly over the cervix. Made of latex, the cervical cap stays in place through suction and acts as a barrier to prevent sperm...

How Does Contraceptive Foam Work?

Contraceptive foam is an agent that is inserted into the vagina to prevent conception. There are different methods of application and the foam may be used with other forms of birth control, such as a diaphragm, or on its own. The foam may come in...

What Are the Causes of Increased Urinary Tract Infections?

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are the second most common type of infection in the United States, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Urinary tract infections occur 50 times more frequently in...

5 Ways to Use Cervical Caps for Birth Control

A cervical cap is a form of birth control that uses the barrier method. There are a few different caps to choose from, including the Fem Cap and Lea's Shield. Both are small pieces of rubber about the size of a thimble. This cap fits like a dome...

Artificial Contraception Methods

The biggest breakthrough in artificial contraception was "The Pill," the introduction of which helped to spark the feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s. There were other forms of contraception prior to the pill, and a few have come along since...

How to Use Contraceptive Foam

Contraceptive foam is an effective method of contraception that involves the use of spermicidal foam to kill sperm. This method is effective when administered properly. Use of a condom with spermicidal foam increases the effectiveness. Although...

The Barrier Method of Family Planning

Barrier methods of birth control prevent a man's sperm from entering a woman's uterus. The barrier method of family planning is safe and can reduce the risk of pregnancy when used correctly. Some barrier devices also reduce the risk of sexually...

5 Ways Use Cervical Caps For Birth Control

A cervical cap is a form of birth control known as a barrier method. There are a few different caps to choose from, including the Fem Cap and Lea's Shield. Both are small pieces of rubber about the size of a thimble. This cap fits like a dome over...

Cystitis Health Video (Video)

Cystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder. A bladder infection can be painful and annoying and can become a serious health problem if the infection spreads to your kidneys. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and...