title: Noncomparative contraceptive efficacy of cellulose sulfate gel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the 6-month cumulative probability of pregnancy, short-term adverse effects, and acceptability of cellulose sulfate vaginal contraceptive gel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred fertile heterosexual couples were enrolled in this single-center, phase II, 6-month noncomparative study conducted at the California Family Health Council in Los Angeles, California. Couples did not desire pregnancy, were at low risk for sexually transmitted diseases, and agreed to use 3.5 mL of cellulose sulfate gel intravaginally before each coital act as their primary means of contraception. Scheduled follow-up visits took place after one menstrual cycle and at study completion, which occurred after 6 months and six menstrual cycles had elapsed. In addition, participants were instructed to call the site at the onset of each menses to review their diary cards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cumulative probabilities of pregnancy during 6 months and six cycles of typical use were 13.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.5-19.4%) and 13.9% (95% CI 7.7-20.2%), respectively, and during 6 cycles of correct and consistent ("perfect") use: 3.9% (95% CI 0.0-9.2%). Slightly over one fourth of the women and one man reported experiencing gel-related adverse events, two thirds of which were mild and only possibly related to the gel. Three quarters of women and men reported that they would buy cellulose sulfate gel for contraception.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cellulose sulfate vaginal gel yields pregnancy rates comparable to nonoxynol-9 and few adverse events among couples at low risk for sexually transmitted diseases.
authors.affiliation: CONRAD, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), Arlington, Virginia 22209, USA. cmauck@conrad.org
authors.forename: Christine K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Mauck
authors.forename: Ron G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Freziers
authors.forename: Terri L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: Jill L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Marianne M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Callahan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D002482:Cellulose; C020254:cellulose sulfate