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Nonoxynol-9: A Spermicide that Can Harm
By Migdalia Roman, 18, SEX, ETC.
Just recently in class, a friend of mine told me that she and her boyfriend decided to take their relationship to the next level-the SEX level. So, I asked her what type of contraception they plan to use. She said she was going to use a condom and a spermicidal foam.
At first I was happy, because finally a friend is taking steps to protect herself from STDs and unplanned pregnancy. Then-just as the bell rang and I got up from my seat-I thought about her use of spermicidal foam and wondered if she knew of the recent developments about the spermicide nonoxynol-9 (N-9). I asked her right then and there, and she looked at me like I was crazy. "Nono- what?" she replied.
Like many young people, my friend was clueless about N-9. Nonoxynol-9 is the active ingredient in spermicides, which kill sperm, and is used with some contraceptive products (like the diaphragm) and as a lubricant on some condoms. It's also used alone in the form of spermicidal foams, gels, and creams. Some earlier studies about N-9 even showed that it could be used as a microbicide-a product that can kill organisms that cause STDs.
But recent developments and new health recommendations for the use of N-9 caution people away from using it. And knowing the latest on N-9 can help sexually active young people, like my friend, make the best decisions about protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS and other STDs.
To get the latest on N-9 and clear up all the misconceptions, I interviewed Susan Cruzan, public affairs specialist for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Jessica Frickey, health communications specialist for the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Below are some of the tips I learned from talking to them about N-9.
1) The Science: New studies have found that frequent use of N-9 can cause genital lesions in the vagina and, therefore, may increase the risk of HIV transmission. (HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.) Because of these studies, the FDA has proposed new warnings for these products that state to you (the consumer) that N-9 doesn't protect against infection from HIV or other STDs.
2) What You Can Do: If you want to stay safe from STDs, the CDC recommends that you not use spermicides, especially those that contain N-9, which you find on condoms or other contraceptive methods. And that N-9 should not be used alone as a means of STD prevention.
3) What if you have condoms with N-9? While not recommended, condoms with N-9 can be used as long as they haven't passed the expiration date, since the protection against HIV provided by the condom versus using nothing at all outweighs the potential risk of N-9.
After telling my girl this info about N-9, she freaked out. "Oh, my gosh! I'm so not going to have sex!" There's no need to go that far-but every young person should understand the risks of using condoms lubricated with N-9 and spermicidal products made with N-9.
If you're having vaginal or anal sex, you can still stay protected from STDs and/or unplanned pregnancy by using two forms of contraception-like a latex condom without nonoxynol-9 and the Pill-to protect yourself. (For oral sex, make sure you use a condom or dental dam.) And instead of using a lubricant with N-9, you can use a water-based lubricant like Astroglide.
To learn more about N-9, including a history of its use, check out this info from Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Migdalia Roman, 18, of Perth Amboy, NJ, is an editor for SEX, ETC., the national newsletter and Web site written by teens, for teens, on sexual health issues, published by the Network for Family Life Education at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
 Visit SEX, ETC. at www.sexetc.org
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