Vaginal spermicides and miscarriage seen primarily in the emergency room

Among 813 women who had obtained a vaginal spermicide within 48 weeks of the estimated date of fertilization (EDF), 47 (5.8%) had an early miscarriage. Among women who had obtained oral contraceptives, 35/1,127 (3.1%) miscarried, and among women who obtained neither, 140/4,231 (3.3%) miscarried. The risk ratio estimate comparing spermicide users with nonusers was 1.8 (90% confidence interval 1.4, 2.3). The association was strongest among women who had obtained a spermicide within 12 weeks of the EDF. Examination of abortus material revealed that the association with spermicides was strongest among those where an abnormal fetus was present.