[Contraceptive efficacy of bioadhesive nonoxynol-9 Gel: comparison with nonoxynol-9 suppository].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the contraceptive efficacy of a new spermicide, bioadhesive nonoxynol (N-9) gel, with a traditional N-9 suppository.


METHODS
A total of 240 child-bearing aged woman volunteers were randomly divided into two groups: 120 cases using the gel for contraception, and another 120 using the suppository. Using lifetable method and log rank test, we compared the pregnancy rates and other discontinuation rates after follow-up for 6 months in two groups.


RESULTS
No abnormal findings of cervical smears were detected before and after this clinical trial in all 240 women. The follow-up rates at 6 months were 100.0% and 97.5% in the gel group and the suppository group, respectively. The 6-month gross cumulative pregnancy rates of typical use were 6.39 and 2.95 per 100 women (P > 0.05), respectively. If we eliminated the 5 pregnancy women (3 in the gel group, and 2 in the suppository one), who did not consistently use the spermisides for every intercourse, the cumulative pregnancy rates at 6 month in perfect use would be 3.71 and 2.03 (P > 0.05). And the discontinuation rates due to allergy or other side effects at 6 months in typical use were 3.45 and 4.57 (P > 0.05), respectively. All of the results observed between two groups in this study were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The contraceptive efficacy of bioadhesive N-9 gel is as same as that of the N-9 suppository, and its clinical use is quite safe.
Xu
Jin-xun
JX
Science and Technology Division, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Population and Family Planning, Shanghai 200002, China.
Shi
Lin-te
LT
Zhou
Xiao-bo
XB
Xiao
Zhi-qin
ZQ
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D017137:Nonoxynol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013488:Suppositories
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D005782:Gels; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D013488:Suppositories; D017137:Nonoxynol