Spermicide and gel

The irritation might be because of the brand or type of spermicide you’re using, so you might want to try out another kind.

In the U.S. there are a bunch of types of birth control available over the counter without a prescription or talking to a pharmacist. Condoms, internal condoms, spermicide, the sponge, as well as emergency contraception pills and one type of birth control pill.

Condoms, internal condoms, spermicide, emergency contraception pills, and one brand of the pill are all available at your nearest pharmacy, big box store, or online.

You could try switching brands and making sure you’re using your spermicide exactly as the instructions say you should. That said, spermicide is messy. If it bothers you, you might want to look into another method.

“There are two types of spermicide, prescription and over-the-counter options. How effective it is depends on the type you use. If over-the-counter spermicide is used alone, it is only somewhat effective—around 84% when used perfectly and 79% with typical use, that means how real people use it in real life.

In other words:

For people who use spermicide perfectly every single time for a whole year, about 16 in 100 will get pregnant when they don’t want to during the first year of using spermicide.[RW3]

For people who use spermicide as people typically use it, about 22 in 100 will get pregnant when they don’t want to during a whole year of using spermicide.

Prescription spermicide is more effective, 93% effective with perfect use and 86% effective with typical use.”