Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | T | The Network News

Network joins call for removal of spermicide from condoms.

Article Excerpt
The Network and other health organizations have helped persuade condom and lubricant manufacturers to stop making their products with nonoxyonol-9 (N-9), a spermicide that has been shown to increase the risk of transmitting HIV in anal sex and in high-frequency vaginal sex (e.g. multiple acts of intercourse per day). All major lubricant makers and at least three condom makers, including Planned Parenthood, Johnson & Johnson's Brazilian condom-producing subsidiary, and Mayer Laboratories--have discontinued use of N-9. However, the top three condom manufacturers--Ansell Ltd. (maker of Lifestyles condoms), Church & Dwight Company (maker of Trojan), and SSL International PLC (parent company of Durex)--have not. Condoms containing N-9, the only kind of spermicide used in condoms and lubricants domestically, account for a significant share of the $4 billion global condom market.

Used as a contraceptive for more than 50 years, N-9 began appearing in condoms and lubricants in the mid-1980s, when laboratory studies indicated it might be effective in preventing transmission of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. But after a series of studies reached contradictory findings, scientists have concluded that N-9 doesn't protect against STDs or HIV. In fact, it increases risk of infection when used rectally and may increase the risk in high-frequency vaginal sex.

N-9 increases susceptibility to infection by irritating the cell lining of the rectum and vagina, causing heavy sloughing or peeling. This is particularly problematic in anal sex, as only one layer of cells--the first line of defense against infection--covers the rectum. While...