How does a spermicide work?
Spermicides are composed of a spermicidal agent in a carrier that allows dispersion and retention of the agent in the vagina. Nonoxynol-9 is the most commonly used spermicidal agent, and it is the active component in most of the spermicide preparations available in Canada. Spermicides destroy the sperm cell membrane by altering the lipid layer. The sperm then become permeable to moisture resulting in swelling and break down of vital sperm cell membranes.
