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Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks - Spermicides

Side Effects (see Managing Any Problems)

Some users report the following:

  • Irritation in or around the vagina or penis

Other possible physical changes:

  • Vaginal lesions

Known Health Benefits      

Known Health Risks

Help protect against:

  • Risks of pregnancy

Delphen and Plunger

Uncommon:

  • Urinary tract infection, especially when using spermicides 2 or more times a day

Rare:

  • Frequent use of nonoxynol-9 may increase risk of HIV infection (see Question 3)