Contraceptive suppositories: which is better, how to choose and apply

One of the methods of preventing unwanted pregnancies are vaginal suppositories used immediately before intercourse. The mechanism of their action is associated with the inactivation of spermatozoa, which significantly reduces their chances of fertilization of the egg. Contraceptive suppositories are not the most popular form of contraception, because to maintain high efficiency requires strict adherence to the rules of use, and this is not always convenient. But many women, who because of health reasons can not use hormonal drugs, it is successfully applied.

Content:

Spermicidal contraceptives in the form of suppositories

Principle of operation and types of contraceptive candles

Contraceptive vaginal suppositories, tablets or creams refer to local nonhormonal contraceptives. As part of the modern preparations of this plan, surface-active chemical compounds (benzalkonium chloride or nonoxynol-9) are used as active components. The mechanism of their action is associated with a disastrous effect on spermatozoa and an increase in the viscosity of cervical mucus, which creates additional obstacles for the entry of damaged spermatozoa into the uterine cavity.

Benzalkonium chloride preparations include vaginal suppositories:

Benatex ;
Pharmatex ;
Gynecotheque;
Evitex;
Erotex.

Benzalkonium chloride has spermicidal activity. Upon contact with spermatozoa for 10 seconds, it first damages the membranes of their flagella, and then the head, which leads to loss of motor activity, the inability to penetrate the uterine cavity and fertilize the egg. Such speed of action is a necessary condition for high effectiveness of the drug, since spermatozoa after ejaculation move very quickly and can reach the fallopian tubes in just 90 seconds. Benzalkonium chloride has antimicrobial activity against the causative agents of chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, trichomoniasis and Staphylococcus aureus.

Preparations containing nonoxynol-9 include contraceptive candles Patentex Oval H and Nonoxynol. Spermicidal action of nonksinol-9 exerts within 40 seconds due to fragmentation (separation of the flagellum from the head) and inhibition of motility of spermatozoa. It also has bactericidal activity against chlamydia and gonococci, antiviral and antifungal activity against certain sexually transmitted pathogens.

Important: When using contraceptive suppositories, a woman should take into account that their effectiveness for preventing unwanted pregnancies is 80-85%, that is, does not give a full guarantee of the elimination of conception.

Indications

Contraceptive suppositories because of their not very high reliability it is recommended to use only as a one-time, temporary or periodic contraceptive. With regular and active sex life, it is better to choose other methods to prevent pregnancy.

Find a suitable spermicidal means will help a doctor

Contraceptive candles will suit women in case:

irregular sexual life and rare sexual contacts, when setting up an intrauterine device or taking hormonal oral contraceptives systematically is not advisable;
the need for contraception after childbirth or abortion;
the presence of serious contraindications for health reasons for the use of hormonal contraception;
breastfeeding;
premenopause ;
the need for additional insurance with the use of oral contraceptives (skipping or delayed intake of the pill), vaginal diaphragm, cervical cap.

Contraceptive suppositories when injected into the vagina have a local effect, are not absorbed into the systemic bloodstream, do not enter the breast milk, do not affect the menstrual cycle and the composition of the normal microflora of the vagina, therefore, are generally considered safe for health. They are the best method of contraception for women during lactation or at the age of 40 years in the presence of pathologies that do not allow the use of hormones, if the partners do not want to use condoms.

Application features

First of all, a woman must strictly observe all the requirements specified in the instruction, otherwise their effectiveness is significantly reduced. The spermicidal effect of vaginal suppositories begins 5-10 minutes after the introduction into the vagina and persists for about an hour. Before every second sexual intercourse, even if it occurs during the time that the previously administered medication still works, it is necessary to use a new candle.

When using contraceptive suppositories, the following rules should be observed:

store until the moment of use bought the drug should be in a cool place at an air temperature not exceeding 20 ° C, otherwise it can deteriorate;
Soap and means with alkaline pH should not be used for hygienic procedures for 2 hours before and immediately before intercourse, it is better to wash with plain water or a special agent with a neutral pH;
the candle should be inserted as deep as possible in the supine position for 10-15 minutes before the proposed sexual intercourse, which will allow the active components of the drug, under the influence of body temperature, to pass into the liquid phase and evenly distribute along the mucosa;
within 3 hours after sexual contact, do not douche and do not wash with soap or intimate hygiene products, as they neutralize the spermicide by transferring its active substance into an inactive form;
after sexual intercourse for 3 hours it is inadmissible to take baths, swim in the sea or other water bodies, swim in the pool;
Do not use candles for contraception when passing a course of treatment of diseases of the organs of the reproductive system with vaginal preparations (tablets, ointments, suppositories, douching).

Important: To introduce any contraceptive candles for contraception after the sexual act is meaningless, in this case only emergency contraception (special pills with high doses of hormones) will help to prevent pregnancy.

The rules for the use of spermicides are found in the instructions to the drug

Effective birth control pills

Vaginal suppositories with spermicidal action in a wide range are presented in any pharmacy, they are freely available, are not very expensive and are dispensed without a doctor's prescription. To choose which birth control pills will be better in each specific situation, do not rely on advertising, advice from friends, acquaintances and reviews on the Internet. A woman should seek advice from a gynecologist who will conduct an examination and offer a choice of several options. This requirement is especially relevant in the presence of chronic diseases in the organs of the reproductive system.

The best products of this group, according to experts, include contraceptives:

Pharmatex;
Erotex;
Benatex.

All of them contain the same dosage of spermicide - 18.9 mg, but differ in the auxiliary components used to create the dosage form and preserve the stability of the drug. Produced in packages of 5 and 10 suppositories. Pharmatex is produced by the French pharmaceutical company Innotera Shuzi, Benatex by the Russian company Nizhpharm, and Erotex by the Ukrainian-Spanish company Sperko Ukraine. Many women prefer Erotex candles, as they additionally contain essential oils of rose, lemon or lavender, giving a pleasant aroma. The cheapest ones are the suppositories of Benatex.

Benefits

Despite the fact that birth control pills do not occupy leading positions in the degree of reliability of protection against unwanted pregnancy, they have a number of significant advantages in comparison with other methods of contraception. Among them:

Presence at some preparations of antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal action. The use of birth control pills, unlike condoms, can not guarantee protection against all sexually transmitted infections, but it is still better than nothing.
Additional lubricating and moisturizing effect, which is especially important for women who have little natural lubrication. Contraceptive suppositories in this case can easily eliminate the problem of vaginal dryness and relieve the associated discomfort and soreness during intercourse.
Ability to cancel contraceptive suppositories at any time, unlike hormonal tablets, the course of which must be drunk to the end and can not be interrupted.
The possibility of combining, if necessary, with other methods of contraception.
Local action, lack of systemic influence on the body and safety for health.
Easy to use and easy to use, suitable for women of all ages.

Among other things, candles do not have a negative effect on the fetus in case of conception, which the woman does not yet know.

The most popular spermicides in the form of vaginal suppositories

disadvantages

Contraceptive candles have not only advantages, but also some drawbacks. These include:

not the highest degree of protection from unwanted pregnancy;
the possibility of allergic reactions, both in women and men (rash, itching, burning, swelling and irritation of the mucosa), the development of inflammatory processes on the external genitalia, the vagina and cervix due to them;
the need to insert a candle at a specific time before the contact, which introduces some inconvenience, makes it necessary to interrupt loving pleasures and deprives the possibility of a spontaneous and sudden sexual intercourse;
the outflow of part of the drug during and after the sexual act, often resulting in the formation of hard-to-remove oily stains on the bed and underwear;
a long-lasting sensation of fatiness of the mucous membrane and skin in the genital area, causing severe discomfort in some women.

With constant use, the balance of the vaginal microflora is disturbed, and the development of thrush is possible.

Precautionary measures

Before using contraceptive suppositories, to prevent complications it is better to consult a doctor or at least read the instructions carefully and become familiar with the contraindications. The latter include:

individual intolerance or allergic reactions to any of the components in the formulation;
diseases of the external genitalia, vagina and cervix , accompanied by damage to the mucous membrane, inflammation, redness, the formation of cracks, ulcers or erosions;
local therapy with vaginal pills, ointments or suppositories.

Before using the drugs of this group, it is important for a woman to find out which side-effects are possible for contraceptive suppositories. Given the lack of systemic action, they include only local allergic reactions and irritation of the mucous membrane. To prevent at the most inopportune moment such phenomena, it is worthwhile to check the effect of the drug in advance.

Tip: If any unpleasant sensations, pain, itching, swelling, rash, irritation occur after the administration of the contraceptive suppository, immediately try to wash the product with warm water from the external genital organs as much as possible and douche.