Nonoxynol 9 Spermicide Facts And Fiction

One of the nation's leading condom retailers, has announced that they have removed all products containing the popular spermicide nonoxynol-9 from their shelves. They are the first major condom retailer to drop the controversial spermicide from their shelves. Why would they concider this...

Kimberly Fidi, President of CondomDepot.com explains, "Too many young adults are not aware of the harmful and potentially deadly consequences of using this product. People are trading the misbelief of greater birth control reliability for an increased risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS and other STD's".


Studies by organizations including the Centers of Disease Control, and The World Health Organization have shown that the toxicity of Nonoxynol-9 can lead to vaginal and rectal irritation. This irritation can cause sores and lesions that create a path for STD's and HIV to enter the bloodstream. "Condoms alone are more than 98% effective when used properly" Says Fidi. "Studies prove that the small amount of nonoxynol-9 used on condoms has been declared ineffective as a contraceptive and does not substantially decrease the incidence of pregnancy." Fidi also added, "More worrisome are the amount of calls we receive from females complaining of vaginal irritation and pain after intercourse with latex condoms. Many of them stop using condoms altogether. In the end we find out that most of these women are using Condoms lubricated with nonoxynol-9. We must educate them that nonoxynol-9 is the cause of irritation, not the condom."

Nonoxyol-9 has come under great scrutiny recently. Health Educators along with most non-profit safer sex organizations do not recommend using products containing it. Unfortunately, many sources are still reporting that Non-9 kills the HIV Virus. It should be noted that abstinence is the only 100% effective way of eliminating unwanted pregnancy and risk of STD infection.