Contraceptive foam is inserted into the vagina before intercourse to prevent pregnancy. It contains a spermicidal agent and is less effective than condoms or the pill. It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and can cause side effects such as yeast infections.
A contraceptive foam is foam that is inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. The foam is a spermicide, which means that it kills the sperm of the woman’s sexual partner. Using contraceptive foam as a contraceptive method is not as effective as using condoms or the contraceptive pill.
Contraceptive foam contains both a carrier substance and a spermicidal agent, which is usually the chemical nonoxynol-9. Nonoxynol-9 kills sperm and the foam itself physically prevents the sperm from moving up the vagina. Contraceptive foam does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
To be effective, the foam must be inserted into the vagina no more than half an hour before intercourse or as otherwise indicated on the product instructions. Contraceptive foam comes in a bottle with an applicator. The woman inserts the applicator as she would a tampon. She then releases the foam from the container. Sometimes the foam can come out, so if the product directs it, the woman should not walk for a certain amount of time, which will allow the foam to settle.
This spermicidal method is only about 80 percent effective, compared to a roughly 95 percent effectiveness rate for condoms. Some women choose to use foam in conjunction with a condom to further reduce the risk of pregnancy and to ensure protection from disease. There are several reasons why a woman should choose contraceptive foam over the pill or condoms.
Unlike hormonal contraceptive methods, such as the contraceptive pill, implants or intrauterine devices, contraceptive foam does not affect the rest of the body. A woman can use the foam whenever she needs it and she doesn’t have to remember to take a pill. She can also stop using the foam every time she wants to get pregnant. Another benefit of using foam is that the woman doesn’t have to rely on her partner to put on a condom every time she has intercourse.
In some countries, contraceptive foam does not require a prescription and can be obtained directly from pharmacies. Contraceptive foams are safe to use but are not recommended for women who are at high risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or who have cervical cancer. These foams are safe for lactating women because they do not contain hormones or other biologically active ingredients.
Side effects of foams include an increased risk of vaginal yeast infections or urinary tract infections. Foam may cause irritation and, rarely, allergic reactions. Contraceptive foams could be messy to use and the insertion process can affect the spontaneity of intercourse.
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