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


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, all five spermicides were considered acceptable by most users. Acceptability did not appear to influence spermicide use or pregnancy risk.
Raymond
Elizabeth G
EG
Family Health International, PO Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. eraymond@fhi.org
Chen
Pai Lien
PL
Condon
Sean
S
Luoto
Joanne
J
Barnhart
Kurt T
KT
Creinin
Mitchell D
MD
Poindexter
Alfred
A
Wan
Livia
L
Martens
Mark
M
Schenken
Robert
R
Blackwell
Richard
R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017137:Nonoxynol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013488:Suppositories / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000008:administration & dosage
D005782:Gels; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D013488:Suppositories; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D017137:Nonoxynol