• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Is Contraceptive Foam Bad for Men?

January 5, 2011 by ds_26371 Leave a Comment

Contraceptive foam is one form of spermicide which, along with creams, gels and suppositories, kills sperm before it reaches your uterus. Contraceptive foam has some side effects that can affect men — and women, too. But the biggest downside of using contraceptive foam on its own is that it doesn’t protect your partner from STDs, HIV or an unplanned pregnancy.

Spermicide Basics

Using a spermicide does have its benefits. You don’t have to rely on your partner to use birth control. Unlike pills, patches, shots and vaginal rings, you suffer none of the adverse side effects of hormone-based birth control methods. Requiring no prescription, spermicide is easily purchased at most drugstores and pharmacies. According to MayoClinic.com, the active ingredient in contraceptive foam and other over-the-counter spermicides is a chemical called nonoxynol-9. Some men may experience irritation of the penis when exposed to spermicides. They may also cause mild to severe genital irritation in you, too.

Adverse Side Effects

One potential side effect of contraceptive foam and other spermicides is that your partner may experience lingering rash, irritation, redness or itching of the genitals. However, MayoClinic.com indicates that this side effect is rare. If your partner has an allergic reaction to the spermicide you use, Planned Parenthood recommends simply changing brands.

STD Protection

The nonoxynol-9 in spermicides won’t protect your partner against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV — and it won’t protect you against disease, either. Planned Parenthood indicates that if you use contraceptive foam frequently, it can irritate your skin and increase the chances that you or your partner will contract HIV or another STD. Contraceptive foam is best used with a barrier method of birth control, such as a male or female condom, which prevents the exchange of body fluids.

Spermicide Effectiveness

The more daunting downside of relying on contraceptive foam as a sole means of birth control is that it isn’t too effective. According to Planned Parenthood, 15 out of every 100 women who use spermicide according to the product’s instructions will get pregnant every year. If starting a family isn’t in your partner’s immediate plans, use contraceptive foam with another form of birth control, such as a male or female condom. Or ask your doctor if you’re a good candidate for a hormone-based method of birth control, such as the pill, patch, ring or shot, which has an effectiveness rate of up to 99 percent.

Other Information

Spermicide doesn’t affect a man’s fertility or your ability to get pregnant if you stop using it. The complaint your partner might have about contraceptive foam and other spermicides is that they can get messy. Spermicides usually have to be inserted less than 20 minutes every time you have sex, making spontaneous intercourse out of the question. Spermicides also have an unpleasant taste, which can make oral sex far less pleasurable for your partner.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Relationships

About ds_26371

Lisa Sefcik has been writing professionally since 1987. Her subject matter includes pet care, travel, consumer reviews, classical music and entertainment. She's worked as a policy analyst, news reporter and freelance writer/columnist for Cox Publications and numerous national print publications. Sefcik holds a paralegal certification as well as degrees in journalism and piano performance from the University of Texas at Austin.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Brooke Burke: My Slim Down Secrets

Everywhere I look, I hear about a new fitness fad, a quick … [Read More...] about Brooke Burke: My Slim Down Secrets

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

How to Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

pregnancy & tooth pain

Pregnancy & Tooth Pain

can you get pregnant on birth control pill if you miss one day

Can You Get Pregnant on Birth Control Pill If You Miss One Day?

how to find out your pregnancy due date

How to Find Out Your Pregnancy Due Date

How to Detect a Miscarriage

back pain during first trimester pregnancy

Back Pain During First Trimester Pregnancy

Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

How to Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.