Chemical contraceptives

*Spermicides (that is, chemicals which destroy sperms) were quite widely used until recently. One advantage of these products is that you can buy them from any pharmacy without prescription. But these agents really shouldn't be employed on their own, because they're not effective enough. If you use them by themselves, there's a high chance that sperm will get through sometimes - and cause pregnancy. So, all family planning experts agree that chemical contraception should only be used in combination with a 'barrier method' - such as a condom, diaphragm or a cap. The chemicals make these barrier methods more effective.

In other words, fewer pregnancies will occur if you use a condom, diaphragm or cap with a spermicidal chemical. From time to time, manufacturers may suggest that these agents are so good that they can be used on their own! Don't pay any attention to these claims. However, if you’re both really desperate to make love, then a chemical contraceptive is certainly better than nothing at all.

How do chemical contraceptives work?

They mainly work by killing sperm inside the vagina. They do this because they contain a spermicide - that is, an agent which attacks sperm. The commonest spermicide used in these products is called nonoxinol-‘9’. How do you use them?You put them into the vagina before intercourse. Either the woman or the man can do this. Some couples actually make it part of love play! In the case of solid preparations, you must give them time (say, 30 minutes) to dissolve before you start having sex. Follow the instructions on the leaflet in the package.

What types of chemical contraceptives are there?
There are various kinds and which one you choose is up to you. Generally people make their choice on the basis of what appeals to them aesthetically. For instance, one couple may prefer the feel, appearance and taste of foam, while others prefer the simplicity of a vaginal tablet.

The main types are as follows.
*Foams - These are in aerosol form and you insert them into the vagina with a special applicator, immediately before sex.

*Vaginal tablets - These are also widely known as pessaries. In some books about sex, you may still find them referred to as 'suppositories'. This term has now been dropped - because most people understand the word 'suppository' to mean something put into the rectum. As they’re solid, you must give them time (half an hour) to dissolve before you nake love.

*Gels, jellies and creams - These are mainly intended for spreading onto contraceptive diaphragms or caps before insertion.

*Films - Squares of contraceptive film are still marketed in some countries, though they have fallen out of favour in the UK. At one time, manufacturers suggested that the film should be put on the tip of the penis before the start of intercourse. This is very risky, and I do not recommend it! It will probably fall off.

*Sponges - Sponges containing spermicide were popular back in the 1990s but have now rather dropped out of fashion in Western countries, due to a high pregnancy rate (24 per cent in one recent trial). A new type of sponge is due to be marketed in the UK during 2006, and it could certainly be of help to women whose fertility is already low - for instance, those over the age of 45, and breastfeeding mothers.

Can chemicals harm you?

Various fragrances, colourings and other components are contained in spermicidal products. Not surprisingly, both men and women can become allergic to these ingredients. Symptoms of allergy include soreness, swelling, redness and itching. If allergy occurs, take medical advice and then switch to another product (or method).Nonoxinol-‘9’ has recently been shown to cause vaginal irritation in some women who use a great deal over a long period of time. But unless you are having sex all day long, this is unlikely to apply to you.At present, there is no information as to whether spermicidal products could harm a baby, if pregnancy occurred. Please note that in some countries, pharmacists may still be selling old-fashioned spermicidal products which can attack rubber. These products, which are mainly oil-based, could make holes in rubber condoms or caps.

Will spermicidal chemicals protect you against disease?

No. There has been some publicity about the fact that nonoxinol-'9' has an anti-germ action. Nonetheless, it cannot give you any worthwhile protection against chlamydia, HIV or other sex infections.

Will spermicidal chemicals last all night?

No. In general, spermicides are only effective for about 45 to 60 minutes. If you go on having sex longer than that (or if you have sex twice), you need to insert a top-up of spermicide.What brands are available?This varies from country to country. The only brand on sale in the UK in 2008 is Gygel, which is a gel that won't harm condoms, diaphragms or caps.

Safe sex

Health risks associated with sexIn this first decade of the 21st century the various risks connected with having sex have (alas) increased. The figures for HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea are all going up. This is almost entirely because so many people – whether they're heterosexuals or homosexuals or 'bi' -- don't practise safe sex.Britain is a pretty promiscuous place. A survey published by Bradley University in late 2008 showed that the UK is the ‘one-night stand’ capital of western industrialised nations. In Europe, the order was:
*UK
*Germany
*Holland
*Czech Republic.

Statistics show that men and women are taking more and more sexual partners. Crazy practices like going to orgies, joining sex clubs and indulging in ‘dogging’ (multiple sex in car parks) are quite widespread. In the male gay world, ‘cottages’ and multi-partner saunas continue to be fairly popular.And in many of these situations, people don’t use a condoms!As for teenagers, unfortunately they are now losing their virginity very young – and frequently at an age where they don’t have any idea about how to protect themselves against the unwanted consequences of sex. So inevitably, there are times when teenage love-making, instead of being beautiful and fulfilling, leads to disaster. Understandably, in all age groups a lot of men and women think that ‘it won’t happen to me'. But in the year 2009, there is so much sex infection around that you really do need to be very careful. Unless you are totally faithful to one partner – and he or she is totally faithful to you – you are at some risk.

What are the risks of unsafe sex?
The chief ones are:
*unwanted pregnancy.
*venereal diseases (such as gonorrhoea and, much less commonly, syphilis).
*other sexually transmitted infections (such as herpes, pubic lice, and viral warts and especially the 21st century‘s major risk - chlamydia).
*HIV - the virus which can cause AIDS.
*cancer of the cervix.
*female infertility – due to pelvic infection caused by sex with an infected guy.It’s almost inevitable that other sexual infections will arise during this century – especially if the human race keeps going in for unsafe sex! Germs have a nasty way of exploiting people’s behaviour, which is why – soon after the swinging 60s and 70s – herpes and HIV suddenly emerged.

Back in the 20th century, many people, both straight and gay, enjoyed sex with a variety of partners assuming that there was very little danger. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case – since disease rates have increased so much. Today, it’s only common sense to practise safe sex.

What is safe sex?
You could say that the only totally safe form of sex is masturbation. Technically, all sexual activity with a partner carries some risk, though the danger of infections is practically non-existent if the two people are completely faithful to each other. ‘Petting’ with the hands is a relatively safe form of sex, and is certainly much less risky than intercourse. So if you’re a teenager and you can keep to hand-petting (rather than ‘going all the way’), you will definitely be safer. What about ‘petting’ with the mouth? This is a bit more risky, since it can pass on infections like gonorrhoea and herpes (and very rarely syphilis). But at least it can’t get you pregnant! It is now known that oral sex can pass on HIV, though a UK Government committee has assessed the risk as relatively low – and therefore not as great as that associated with vaginal or rectal intercourse.

Condoms
If you are going to have sexual intercourse with someone who is not a regular, faithful partner, you should always use a condom. This can be either a male condom or (much less commonly) a female one. The condom should be worn throughout the entire act of intercourse – putting it on when you are halfway through is simply asking for trouble. Other 'barrier methods' of contraception, such as the diaphragm or cap, do offer some but very little, protection against the transmission of infection. Another form of barrier is a ‘dental dam,’ which quite a few people now use when giving or receiving cunnilingus – that is, oral sex given to a woman by her partner (male or female). It certainly provides at least some protection against germs.

Alcohol and other drugs
One of the greatest risks to your health is having sex when you've drunk too much alcohol. Many people who would normally practise safe sex do become pregnant, or else catch HIV or venereal diseases, through having unprotected sex while drunk. Some other recreational drugs do also ‘lower your resistance’ – and so make you more likely to run into trouble sexually.Women should be especially aware of the recent rise in ‘drink-spiking’ – the practice in which a man slips a drug into your glass with the intention of making you so woozy that you won’t be able to resist sex.But overall, alcohol is probably the UK’s most important cause of unsafe sex. If you are on a boozy night out, and you’re in doubt as to whether it would be safe to have sex with someone - don't!

Four final sex tips to remember
*Avoid casual sex.
*If you don't want to have a baby, use contraception.
*If you do have sex with someone who is not your regular, faithful partner – use a condom throughout.
*Remember that alcohol can make us forget all we know about practising safer sex.