Contraceptives

It is very important to make sure that the contraceptives you buy/use are in good condition and are stored properly. I have obtained the information below from www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/Global/Contraceptives.htm where you will find other related sources if you require further information about this topic.
Do Not Use the following contraceptives if they show any of these conditions:

Oral Contraceptives - Store away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry location.
· Pills are visibly damaged (broken, cracked, crumbled, discolored).
· The aluminum packaging for any of the pills is broken.
· The packet is missing any pills.
· There are signs of deterioration (brown spots, pill crushes easily).
Condoms - Store Below 40°C. No long exposure to high humidity, direct sunlight, fluorescent light, or ozone. Don’t store near chemicals.
· Any condom packets in the batch are brittle or otherwise damaged.
· Any ‘yellowed’ condom packets
· The seal of the condom packet is not intact.
Spermicidal Jelly - Store Between 15 and 30°C. where there will be no extreme changes in temperature or humidity.
· The jelly tube is wrinkled or leaking.
· The applicator cannot easily be screwed onto the top of the tube.
Foaming Tablets - Store Below 40°C.
· The package has broken or missing tablets.
· The package is puffy (this indicates a moisture leak).
· The foil laminate has cracks.
· The tablets are discoloured (they should be white).
· The tablets are soft, wet, damp, or crumble easily.
Diaphragms - Store Below 40°C. where there will be no long exposure to high humidity, extreme temperatures, ozone, or direct sunlight. Don’t store near chemicals.
· The package seal is damaged.
· The diaphragm looks dirty (only the service provider needs to check for this).
· The diaphragm shows holes or cracks when held up to a light (only the service provider needs to check for this).

If you have stored your contraceptives for any length of time OR if they show any of the above signs do not use them. If the contraceptives were in poor condition when you purchased them, return them to the seller and report the problem at once.