Do spermicidal condoms work better than normal condoms. Or are they worse. Like if a little sperm was to get in you does it actually help to prevent from getting pregnant. Because I have heard that the spermicide ruins the condom. But i'm not sure if i should just use regular condoms or ones w/ spermicide. Because lets say the spermicide doesn't ruin the condoms then wouldn't they be a little better than condoms without it?
Spermicidal condoms work just like any other condom, with one exception. The spermicide kills the sperm on contact, so if it does tear, even slightly the spermicide will help to kill sperm before they "swim away". So, yes, they are "better", but there are also personal prefrences to consider.
It doesnt ruin the condom, if you buy ones already spermicidally lubricated. If you dont, youll want to know if the spermicide is water-based or oil-based, or if it will affect the condom, if you dont buy the already lubricated ones.
Spermicidal condoms help prevent pregnancy by destroying the sperm as soon as the ejaculation occurs. In this way, should the condom tear or slip off after the ejaculation and some semen (or even pre-ejaculate which can contain sperm) spill into your vagina the chances of the sperm remaining active are greatly decreased.
The spermicidal lubricant used in condoms is designed to work with them. It wont destroy the latex that the condom is made of. However, spermicidal condoms do have expiration dates. So, make sure the condoms you use haven't passed the expiration date.
What has been posted so far is the theory, and it certainly sounds logical, but a number of sources including the U.S. FDA state that the addition of spermicide to condoms, usually nonoxynol-9 in North America, "has not been scientifically shown to provide additional contraceptive protection over the condom alone".
Seriously.
And what's worse many women have terrible reactions to nonoxynol-9, it has been linked to the increased transmission of HIV, and the FDA is reviewing its postion on it (if it hasn't changed it already).
As for the spermicide ruining the condom, I've never heard that. Maybe you're confusing it with oil-based lubricants. Now those DO ruin the condom (cause it to break down).
