How effective are vaginal spermicides?
• Perfect use failure rate in first year is 6%. • Typical use failure rate is 26% in the first year. • The effectiveness of spermicides, like any barrier method, depends on consistent and correct use. • To be effective, spermicide must be placed correctly in the vagina no longer than one hour prior to intercourse and the spermicide applicator, tablet, suppository or film needs to make contact with the cervix. • A woman who has used a vaginal spermicide for contraception should not douche for at least 6 hours after intercourse to avoid washing away the spermicide prematurely.
