There are several ways you can incorporate spermicide into your sexual health strategy, and they all have their own benefits and drawbacks.
Spermicidal lubricant
If you already use lubricant as a way to enhance sexual pleasure or comfort, vaginal lubricants can be an easy way to incorporate spermicide into your sexual health strategy.
Something to note: many barrier contraceptives are marketed as containing a layer of spermicidal lubricant. While condoms and dental dams are a great way for preventing pregnancy and STIs, spermicide doesn't offer any additional protection when attached to them.
Spermicidal jelly
Cream and jelly spermicides are typically sold in tubes like toothpaste. Because spermicidal jelly is thicker than liquid or foam spermicide, it can often be difficult to ensure it has been applied to the entire vagina - leaving some parts of you unprotected. Some manufacturers provide an applicator to make the process easier.
Spermicide film
A spermicidal film is a thin translucent layer of spermicide that can be placed on the vagina and absorbed.
Many women find a film more comfortable than creams, foams, or gels - which can be cold upon application.
But unlike those types of spermicides, films have to be applicated 30 minutes before sexual intercourse or the spermicide chemicals will not have been fully absorbed by the vagina. If sexual spontaneity is important to you, you may decide the film method doesn't work.
You also have to be careful when handling spermicidal film: store it in a cool, dry place and make sure your hands are completely dry while applying it - otherwise the film might dissolve before you get a chance to use it.
Spermicide foam
This type of spermicide comes in a pressurized can - like shaving cream. Foam is convenient, but it can be pretty hard to judge how much is left in the can. If you go with foam, think about buying a few cans at a time so you can grab a replacement when you run out unexpectedly.
Other types
Spermicides are also available as tablets or suppositories. Like spermicidal films, tablets and suppositories should be inserted high into the vagina near the cervix approximately 30 minutes before intercourse so that they fully dissolve. We suggest using spermicide only as a second contraception method. According to statistics, spermicide is 70-75% effective in preventing pregnancy. But that jumps up to 95% when combined with something like a condom or diaphragm.
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