:Nonoxynol-9

As a spermicide, it attacks the acrosomal membranes of the sperm, causing the sperm to be immobilized.

Nonoxynol-9 is the active ingredient in most spermicidal creams, jellies, foams, gel, film, and suppositories.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}

Nonoxynol-9 is a common ingredient of most vaginal and anal lubricants due to its spermicidal properties.

A 2004 study found that over a six-month period, the typical-use failure rates for five nonoxynol-9 vaginal contraceptives (film, suppository, and gels at three different concentrations) ranged from 10% to 20%.{{cite journal|last1=Raymond|first1=Elizabeth G.|last2=Lien Chen|first2=Pai|last3=Luoto|first3=Joanne|author4=for the Spermicide Trial Group|date=March 2004|title=Contraceptive effectiveness and safety of five nonoxynol-9 spermicides: a randomized trial|journal=Obstetrics & Gynecology|volume=103|issue=3|pages=430–439|doi=10.1097/01.AOG.0000113620.18395.0b|pmid=14990402|s2cid=31754199}}

Many models of condoms are lubricated with solutions containing nonoxynol-9. In this role, it has been promoted as a backup method for avoiding pregnancy and a microbicide for sexually transmitted diseases in the event of condom failure. However, the 2001 WHO / CONRAD Technical Consultation on Nonoxynol-9 concluded that: There is no published scientific evidence that N-9-lubricated condoms provide any additional protection against pregnancy or STDs compared with condoms lubricated with other products. Since adverse effects due to the addition of N-9 to condoms cannot be excluded, such condoms should no longer be promoted. However, it is better to use N-9-lubricated condoms than no condoms.{{cite web|last=Siegfried|first=Nandi|date=September 25, 2003|title=Nonoxynol-9 for preventing vaginal acquisition of HIV infection by women from men|work=Reproductive Health Library|location=Geneva|publisher=World Health Organization|url=http://apps.who.int/rhl/hiv_aids/nscom1/en/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522232257/http://apps.who.int/rhl/hiv_aids/nscom1/en/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 22, 2009|accessdate=February 21, 2010}}

Compared to regular lubricated condoms, condoms containing nonoxynol-9 present another disadvantage — they are limited by the shelf-life of the

spermicide. {{Cite web |date=28 June 2022 |title=The Male Latex Condom 10 Condom Programming Fact Sheets |url=https://data.unaids.org/publications/irc-pub01/jc003-malecondom-factsheets_en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625073514/https://data.unaids.org/publications/irc-pub01/jc003-malecondom-factsheets_en.pdf |archive-date=25 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022 |website=UNAIDS.org |page=11 |format=PDF}}

Almost all brands of diaphragm jelly contain nonoxynol-9 as the active ingredient. This jelly may also be used for a cervical cap. Most contraceptive sponges contain nonoxynol-9 as an active ingredient.

Nonoxynol-9 is sometimes included in shaving creams for its properties as a nonionic surfactant; it helps break down skin oils that normally protect hair from moisture, so that they become wet and, hence, softer and easier to shave. Gillette formerly used nonoxynol-9 for this purpose in its Foamy products, but has discontinued the practice.

Nonoxynol-9 is also found in Bengay Vanishing Scent as an inactive ingredient.

Nonoxynol-9 is also found in Zanfel poison ivy cream. It effectively helps to break up the oil urushiol that causes the rash.

From 1996 to 2000, a UN-sponsored study conducted in several locations in Africa followed nearly 1,000 sex workers who used nonoxynol-9 gels or a placebo. The HIV infection rate among those using nonoxynol-9 was about 50% higher than those who used the placebo; those using nonoxynol-9 also had a higher incidence of vaginal lesions, which may have contributed to this increased risk. Whereas these results may not be directly applicable to lower-frequency use, these findings combined with lack of any demonstrated HIV-prevention benefit from nonoxynol-9 use led the World Health Organization to recommend that it no longer be used by those at high risk of HIV infection. The WHO further notes that "Nonoxynol-9 offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia." A 2006 study of a nonoxynol-9 vaginal gel in female sex workers in Africa concluded that it did not prevent genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and could increase the virus's ability to infect or persist.{{cite journal|last1=Marais|first1=Dianne|last2=Carrara|first2=Henri|last3=Kay|first3=Patti|last4=Ramjee|first4=Gita|last5=Allan|first5=Bruce|last6=Williamson|first6=Anna-Lise|date=November 2006|title=The impact of the use of COL-1492, a nonoxynol-9 vaginal gel, on the presence of cervical human papillomavirus in female sex workers|journal=Virus Research|volume=121|issue=2|pages=220–222|doi=10.1016/j.virusres.2006.04.009|pmid=16860426}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2003/WHO_RHR_03.08.pdf Safety of Nonoxynol-9 when used for contraception] World Health Organization (October 2001)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20031005023708/http://www.fpnotebook.com/GYN16.htm Vaginal Spermicide: Nonoxynol] Family Practice Notebook.com
• [https://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,52481,00.html Docs: 'Nonoxynol-9 Doesn't Work'] Wired News: Lite, Jordan (May 13, 2002)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050205192624/http://mas-health.org/microbicides.htm Info on microbicides]
• [http://chemsub.online.fr/name/nonoxynol-9.html ChemSub Online: Nonoxynol-9]
• {{CPID|id=2786}}

{{Microbicides for sexually transmitted diseases}}

{{Birth control methods}}

Category:Phenol ethers

Category:Glycol ethers

Category:Primary alcohols

Category:Spermicide

Category:Non-ionic surfactants

Category:Drugs acting on the genito-urinary system

Category:Microbicides