What is a Spermicide?
Spermicides are substances that kill sperm. Usually they are used to increase the effectivity of contraceptive barrier methods such as diaphragms, condoms, and cervical caps as they are only somewhat effective alone. Various contraceptive sponges use spermicides.
It has been suggested however, that the amount of Nonoxynol-9 used on condoms is not enough to significantly increase their effectiveness as contraception.
The most common active ingredient of spermicides is nonoxynol-9, to which some people are allergic. Nonoxynol-9 has been shown to increase the risk of contracting HIV because it creates tiny abrasions in the vaginal and rectal walls that make contraction of HIV and other STDs more likely.
Other spermicides include octoxynol-8, benzalkonium chloride, and sodium cholate.
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