Spermicide

Spermicide is a chemical substance designed to kill or immobilise sperm to prevent them from reaching an egg. It comes as a gel, cream, foam, or film that's inserted into the vagina before sex. It's not very effective on its own, so it's usually used alongside a barrier method like a diaphragm or cap. It's one of the less commonly used contraception options.

• Spermicide is a chemical that kills or disables sperm.
• It comes as a gel, cream, foam, suppository, or dissolvable film.
• It's inserted into the vagina before sex.
• Not very effective on its own — about 72-82% effective in typical use. [CHECK: current effectiveness figures] Much better when combined with a barrier method.
• It doesn't protect against STIs — and the active ingredient (nonoxynol-9) can actually irritate the vaginal lining, potentially increasing STI risk.

How it works

The most common active ingredient in spermicide is nonoxynol-9, a chemical that damages sperm cell membranes, stopping them from swimming and surviving. You insert the spermicide into the vagina before sex — how far in advance depends on the product (some need 10-15 minutes to activate, others work immediately). It creates a chemical barrier near the cervix.

Spermicide is usually used alongside a diaphragm or cervical cap — the barrier physically blocks sperm, and the spermicide provides a chemical backup. Using spermicide alone is possible but significantly less reliable.

Why it's not commonly recommended

Spermicide has fallen out of favour for a few reasons:

Low effectiveness on its own. Compared to condoms, the pill, or LARC methods, spermicide alone is one of the least effective contraception options. About 18-28 out of 100 people using spermicide alone as their only method will get pregnant within a year. [CHECK]

Irritation risk. Nonoxynol-9 can irritate the vaginal lining and the skin of the penis, causing soreness, itching, or a burning sensation. This irritation can actually make it easier for STIs to get in, which is the opposite of what you want.

No STI protection. Spermicide doesn't prevent STIs. In fact, because of the irritation it can cause, it may increase the risk of STI transmission — particularly HIV. This is why spermicide-coated condoms have largely been phased out. [CHECK: whether spermicide-coated condoms are still sold in the UK]

Things people get wrong

"Spermicide is a good backup if you don't have condoms." It's better than nothing, but it's significantly less effective than condoms. If you can access condoms, they're a much better option — they prevent pregnancy more effectively and also protect against STIs.

"Spermicide-coated condoms are safer." They're not — the spermicide adds irritation without meaningfully improving pregnancy prevention when a condom is already being used.

Things people ask about spermicide

Where can I get it?

Pharmacies and online. It's available without a prescription. But given its limitations, talking to a clinic about more effective options is usually a better starting point.

Can I use it with condoms?

You can, but there's no real benefit. The condom itself is highly effective, and adding spermicide just introduces the risk of irritation. Regular lube is a better companion for condoms than spermicide.

Is it still used?

Mostly alongside diaphragms and cervical caps. On its own, it's rarely recommended by healthcare professionals because there are much more effective options available.

Spermicide is a chemical substance that kills or stops sperm from moving. It comes as a gel, cream, or foam that you put inside the body before sex. The idea is that it stops sperm from reaching an egg.

On its own, spermicide isn't very reliable at stopping pregnancy. It works much better when used together with a physical barrier like a diaphragm (a dome that covers the opening to the womb).

The chemical in most spermicide can irritate the skin inside the body, causing soreness or itching. This irritation can actually make it easier to catch infections passed on through sex, which is a downside.

Spermicide doesn't protect against infections at all.

It's not a commonly recommended method of birth control because there are much more effective options available, like condoms, the pill, or the implant. But it still exists and is sometimes used as an extra layer alongside other methods.

You can buy it from pharmacies without a prescription.