The effects of spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 on cervical cytology.
BACKGROUND
This analysis was undertaken to compare the effect of the different dosages and formulations of spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 (N-9) on cervical cytology.


METHODS
A randomized trial was conducted at 14 sites in the United States to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of five spermicides containing N-9. This Papanicolaou smear analysis included the data from all participants who provided two Papanicolaou smear samples: at admission and after discontinuation of the product. The effects of the spermicides were evaluated by comparing the rates of alteration of cervical cytology between five study groups.


RESULTS
A total of 640 women were included in this analysis. The majority of the study participants (>85%) had no change of their baseline Papanicolaou smear result. The rates of alteration of cervical cytology were similar among women using the three gels containing the different doses of N-9 and three different formulations containing the same dose of N-9. Our analysis found no association between alteration of cervical cytology and duration or frequency of use of the five study spermicides.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to different formulations and doses of spermicides containing N-9 is unlikely to influence cervical cytology.
Halpern
Vera
V
Family Health International, PO Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 13950, USA. vhalpern@fhi.org
Rountree
Wes
W
Raymond
Elizabeth G
EG
Law
May
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017137:Nonoxynol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000494:pharmacology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D017137:Nonoxynol