Over the Counter Contraception

Condoms are thin latex or plastic sheaths that are worn on the penis during intercourse. Condoms are available in drugstores, NEICAC Health Services Family Planning, some supermarkets and from vending machines.

The advantages of using condoms are:

• protect both you and your partner from sexually transmitted infections and HIV
• prevents pregnancy
• inexpensive
• no prescription

What is the effectiveness of condoms?

• 2 out of 100 women whose partners use condoms will become pregnant if they always use condoms correctly
• 15 out of 100 women whose partners use condoms will become pregnant if they don’t always use condoms correctly

The Sponge is a non-prescription barrier method of reversible birth control. It is soft, round, and about two inches in diameter, with a nylon loop attached to the bottom for removal. The sponge is available at drugstores, NEICAC Health Services Family Planning, online, and in some supermarkets.

The advantages of using the sponge are:

• no prescription is needed
• easily carried in pocket or purse
• doesn’t effect a woman’s natural hormones

How effective is the sponge?

• 16 out of 100 women who have never given birth and use the sponge will become pregnant during the first year of typical use
• nine will become pregnant with perfect use
• 100 women who have given birth and use the sponge, 32 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use
• 20 will become pregnant with perfect use

Spermicide is a birth control method that contains chemicals that stop sperm from moving. Spermicide is available in different forms, including creams, film, foams, gels, and suppositories. Spermicide is available at drugstores, NEICAC Health Services Family Planning, and some supermarkets.

The advantages of spermicide are :

• spermicide is simple and convenient
• it can be carried in your pocket or purse
• doesn’t effect woman’s natural hormones
• no prescription needed

What is the effectiveness of spermicide?

• if women always use spermicide as directed, 15 out of 100 will become pregnant each year
• if women don’t always use spermicide as directed, 29 out of 100 will become pregnant each year

Click here for Condoms and Spermicide Fact Sheet - English

Click here for Condoms and Spermicide Fact Sheet - Spanish

Click here for Sponge Fact Sheet - English

Click here for Sponge Fact Sheet - Spanish