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Nonoxynol-9 Not Recommended

Per Centers for Disease Control letter of 8-8-00

Nonoxynol-9 is a substance that kills sperm and some microbes. Its use during sexual intercourse, both vaginal and anal, was thought to decrease the chances of passing HIV to a partner. But the U.S. Center for Disease Control (the organization that tracks infectious diseases in this country and makes recommendations regarding them) wants you to be aware that a four-year long study of Nonoxynol 9 with and without condom use has shown that:

use of Nonoxynol 9 "may have caused more transmission [of HIV]"

Many condoms come already treated with Nonoxynol-9.

If you have a choice, you may want to use condoms without Nonoxynol-9 for HIV prevention.

However, a condom lubricated with Nonoxynol-9 is better than no condom at all.

PCAF offers condoms of all descriptions free, including non-latex for those of you who are allergic. If you don't see what you need, just ask.

Questions about transmission, protection, risk reduction, safer sex? Give Linda a call at PCAF--383-2565.