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The Evils of nonoxynol-9
Mar. 15th, 2003 02:08 amI just posted to uk-poly about this, but not everyone I know who has sex reads uk-poly. So here is my rant in short:
Never use condoms with spermicidal lubricant containing nonoxynol-9 for anal sex (unless the other option is no condom at all). Only use them for vaginal sex if you know for certain that you & your partner have a low chance of contracting HIV or other STIs, and you need the extra contraceptive protection. Otherwise, you should use a non-spermicidal condom.
Clearly, any condom is better than none. If the choice is between using a spermicidal condom or using none, the spermicidal condom will be safer for you than none at all. However, if you have a choice between a spermicidal or a non-spermicidal condom, go for the non-spermicidal, and use another form of contraception if you are having vaginal sex and one of you is a woman of child-bearing age. (See below for tips on birth control without nonoxynol-9 irritation).
It was once believed that nonoxynol-9, the common spermicide used in condoms, was also useful for reducing the possibility of HIV transmission. However, nonoxynol-9 has only been proven to kill HIV in vitro (in a test tube). In vivo (in living people), the effects are indecisive. It is definitely an irritant, and in sensitive people, it is believed to actually increase the likelihood of HIV transmission! The following report from the US organisation Planned Parenthood is quite comprehensive and gives references to original research, including the current World Health Organisation guidelines: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/library/birthcontrol/020926_non9.html
Please do link to this post in your own journals, as it is important that people know this. (Linking here would be useful as that way we can keep all the discussion in one place, including further tips from any safer sex educators who happen to be reading this). It's not scaremongering - if you search online you can find many reputable safer sex organisations giving this advice. It appears that the WHO and other bodies updated their information in the autumn of 2002 - if you find organisations still suggesting that you use nonoxynol-9 to kill HIV, check the date on their web site or booklet.
( How to increase the contraceptive power of your condom without increasing the HIV-transmission potential. )
I really hope this is clear. I've reworded it about 5 times and added extra information, so the advice is obvious to everyone including the inexperienced. If you still have any questions, then see the web site link I gave and feel free to ask them in comments.
Never use condoms with spermicidal lubricant containing nonoxynol-9 for anal sex (unless the other option is no condom at all). Only use them for vaginal sex if you know for certain that you & your partner have a low chance of contracting HIV or other STIs, and you need the extra contraceptive protection. Otherwise, you should use a non-spermicidal condom.
Clearly, any condom is better than none. If the choice is between using a spermicidal condom or using none, the spermicidal condom will be safer for you than none at all. However, if you have a choice between a spermicidal or a non-spermicidal condom, go for the non-spermicidal, and use another form of contraception if you are having vaginal sex and one of you is a woman of child-bearing age. (See below for tips on birth control without nonoxynol-9 irritation).
It was once believed that nonoxynol-9, the common spermicide used in condoms, was also useful for reducing the possibility of HIV transmission. However, nonoxynol-9 has only been proven to kill HIV in vitro (in a test tube). In vivo (in living people), the effects are indecisive. It is definitely an irritant, and in sensitive people, it is believed to actually increase the likelihood of HIV transmission! The following report from the US organisation Planned Parenthood is quite comprehensive and gives references to original research, including the current World Health Organisation guidelines: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/library/birthcontrol/020926_non9.html
Please do link to this post in your own journals, as it is important that people know this. (Linking here would be useful as that way we can keep all the discussion in one place, including further tips from any safer sex educators who happen to be reading this). It's not scaremongering - if you search online you can find many reputable safer sex organisations giving this advice. It appears that the WHO and other bodies updated their information in the autumn of 2002 - if you find organisations still suggesting that you use nonoxynol-9 to kill HIV, check the date on their web site or booklet.
( How to increase the contraceptive power of your condom without increasing the HIV-transmission potential. )
I really hope this is clear. I've reworded it about 5 times and added extra information, so the advice is obvious to everyone including the inexperienced. If you still have any questions, then see the web site link I gave and feel free to ask them in comments.
