Contraceptive gels, foams and N9 Warning
Latest Warning about Spermicidal and and Vaginal Contraceptives sold over the counter.
If you have been in the habit of relying solely on spermicides such as foams, gels, films or an insert that contains N9 for your sole method of birth control it is important that you heed the latest warning from the FDA- as you are playing Russian Roulette with the risk of being infected with an STD, especially if you have several sexual partners.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning yesterday to all manufacturers of stand-alone, over the counter, vaginal contraceptive and spermicidal products containing the chemical ingredient nonoxynol 9 (N9) to include a statement in the pack warning that the chemical N9 does not provide protection against infection from the Aids virus or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
N9 may actually facilitate transmission of the disease for those who are at risk for HIV/AIDS.
HOW? N9 can irritate the delicate tissues in the areas of the vagina and rectum, which the FDA says may increase the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS from an infected partner. In case you are saying to yourself, ” I have no irritation, so I must be OK”, know that this irritation often has no symptoms.
Apparently this final decision comes after a major clinical study conducted in Africa and Thailand (high incidences of Aids and STD’s) where one group of women used a contraceptive gel containing N9 and another group used used a ‘placebo’ gel, (not containing N9).
The women who used the contraceptive gel containing N9 were not protected against HIV and other STD’s and alarmingly, were also found to be at a higher risk of HIV infection than the women using the placebo gel.
To read the full labelling now required by manufacturers for products containg N9
visit the FDA News page HERE.
STOP using any of these above mentioned contraceptive products NOW if you have experienced a rash, burning sensation or itching of your vagina or if your partner has these symptoms on his penis. Go to the doctor, get checked out and and discuss future options.
Source: FDA News page
