Acceptability of five nonoxynol-9 spermicides

To examine the acceptability of five nonoxynol-9 (N-9) spermicides.

We analyzed data from a randomized trial of five products, including three gels containing different amounts of N-9 per dose, a film and a suppository. In the trial, 1536 participants were asked to use the assigned spermicide for 7 months and to complete questionnaires 4 weeks after admission and at discontinuation.

Overall, 43% of participants liked their spermicide "very much." This proportion was higher in the three gel groups than in the suppository and film groups. Difficulty with insertion, messiness and discontent with timing of insertion were common complaints in all groups. After adjustment for selected baseline factors, acceptability on the first questionnaire was not related to duration or consistency of subsequent spermicide use or to subsequent time to pregnancy.

In this study, all five spermicides were considered acceptable by most users. Acceptability did not appear to influence spermicide use or pregnancy risk.