Years
ago it was thought that the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 that was
added to condoms and sexual lubricants would help prevent
both unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of HIV and
sexually transmitted diseases. After a decade of research
it appears that while Nonoxynol-9 is fairly effecting at killing
sperm, it is not effective in fighting the spread of STDs,
including HIV. In fact, it may actually do more harm than
good.
The widely
used spermicide Nonoxynol-9, long recommended as a way to
stop the spread of AIDS, may actually increase the risk of
catching the virus, at least among women who use it frequently,
according to the surprising findings of a large study.
As
a result, health officials said condoms used solely to prevent
disease should not be coated with Nonoxynol-9, although a condom
with the spermicide is certainly safer than no condom at all.
And they said the spermicide should also not be used for birth
control by anyone at high risk of catching HIV.
Nonoxynol-9 is widely used around the world for contraception,
and about one-third of lubricated condoms sold in the United
States are covered with it. Nonoxynol-9 is a detergent formulated
to kill sperm, but in the test tube it also wipes out HIV, and
many have long assumed it helps protect people from the virus.
However, a study on prostitutes released at the 13th International
AIDS Conference (1999) showed just the opposite: Women using
a nonoxynol-9 gel increased their risk of contracting HIV rather
than lowering it.
"It is an understatement to say that we were extremely disappointed,"
said Dr. Lut Van Damme of the Institute of Tropical Medicine
in Antwerp, the study's director.
The researchers now assume that Nonoxynol-9, or N-9, increases
the risk by irritating the vaginal lining, causing tears that
give the virus a way to enter the body.
Bottom Line: Unless you are using Nonoxynol-9 exclusively for
the prevention of pregnancy and you are certain that you are
not allergic or irritated by N-9, then we suggestion that you
do not use condoms or lubricants
that contain spermicide/Nonoxynol-9.
For more information, or to purchase condoms with or without
spermicide, visit Condomania.com.
